2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
SOEE3630 Strategic Energy Issues
10 creditsClass Size: 87
Module manager: Prof Peter Taylor
Email: p.g.taylor@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
The module will explore a series of topical issues in energy, weighing up information and opinions from a variety of sources and requiring students to draw both on their own degree background and to engage with new disciplines and perspectives. A key feature of the teaching is that students will work together in small groups to prepare an in-depth presentation on one of the topics and also engage in debates across all the topics via online discussion boards.Objectives
To give students a wider strategic overview of issues in the energy area utilising the breadth of expertise available across the University, 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 appreciation of how scientific, technical, economic and social considerations are all relevant to energy decision-making
- An understanding of the conflicting factors that influence decision making regarding development of energy resources.
Skills outcomes
In addition to developing skills in planning, organisation, teamwork and presentation, students will be expected to learn how to weigh up different arguments and make reasoned judgements.
Syllabus
Topics covered will be drawn from:
- What is the future for hydrocarbons?
- 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?
- What contribution can energy efficiency and other demand-side measures make to reducing global CO2 emissions?
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
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 13/11/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
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