2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3630 Strategic Energy Issues

10 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Peter Taylor
Email: p.g.taylor@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module will explore a series of current topics regarding the development of energy resources, weighing up information and opinions from a variety of sources.Students will be expected to prepare reports and make seminar presentations on a series of topics, drawing on their own degree course background. A key feature of the teaching is that you will be expected to work together to prepare a seminar in small groups of students from different degree programmes.

Objectives

To give students a wider strategic overview of issues in the energy area utilising the full breadth of expertise in the School, with particular reference to the major energy industries (fossil fuels, nuclear, renewables).

Engaging with perspectives from earth and environmental sciences and environmental social sciences, students will critically explore the science, politics and policy related to current energy debates.

Learning outcomes
- Application of student's subject-specific skills to understanding major energy issues.
- An understanding of the conflicting factors that influence decision making regarding development of energy resources.
- Students will contribute knowledge from their specialist skills and listen to others with different skills.

Skills outcomes
In addition to developing skills in planning, organisation, teamwork and presentation, students will be expected to learn how to weigh up competing factors and achieve a balance between arguments.

Syllabus

Topics covered will be drawn from:

- Will oil production peak in the next 20 years?
- How do carbon dioxide levels relate to climate?
- Can carbon sequestration allow fossil fuels to be burned without reaching critical levels of greenhouse gases?
- Is it possible to dispose of radioactive waste safely and permanently?
- Can renewable energies make a major contribution to the global energy budget?
- Is shale gas a panacea or a problem?

There may be additional topics in future years.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	13	1.00	13.00
Seminar	6	2.00	12.00
Tutorial	1	1.00	1.00
Private study hours			74.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will research specific topics, studying a different topic every 2 weeks. Each student will be allocated 1 topic to study in depth and make a seminar presentation. They must however contribute to the discussion of all topics.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Presentations will be assessed throughout the module, and all students will contribute to discussion after each seminar via Discussion Boards on the VLE.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Discussion	Contributions to the discussion of each topic (5 separate instances at 5% assessment each)	25.00
Presentation	Seminar Presentations	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

The re-sit for this Module, including for First Attempts, is by examination only.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Exam with advance information on questions	1 hr	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

The re-sit for this Module, including for First Attempts, is by examination only.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 14/01/2016

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