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2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
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SCIN 101 - Science of Energy Generation and Utilization
PREREQUISITES: MATH 122 - Applied Technical Mathematics or MATH 123 - Quantitative Reasoning or demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment and ENGL 093 - Introduction to College Writing and ENGL 083 - Reading Strategies for College or ENGL 095 - Integrated Reading and Writing , or ENGL 075 - Co-Requisite Integrated Reading & Writing .
PROGRAM: Physical Sciences
CREDIT HOURS MIN: 4
LECTURE HOURS MIN: 3
LAB HOURS MIN: 2
DATE OF LAST REVISION: Fall, 2018
Introduces the basic physical concepts in understanding the science of different forms of energy- potential, kinetic, thermal, electrical, and light. Selected aspects of common sources of sustainable energy, including solar, wind, water, geothermal, and biomass will also be illustrated. Consideration of the science of transportation or storage of energy using new methods that reduce environmental impact will be discussed. Includes lab.
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to:
- Describe the common sources of energy and use and convert among frequently used units of energy and power.
- Solve problems involving distance, displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, and work, using vector notation to describe and manipulate those variables as appropriate.
- Apply the Law of Conservation of Energy in analyzing energy transfers and conversions to include those involving kinetic, potential, electrical, and thermal energy.
- Apply the definition of mechanical energy and the work-energy theorem in analyzing the types of energy and changes in energy among objects in a mechanical system.
- Illustrate the concept of light waves and solve problems concerning angles of incidence and reflection and intensity.
- Summarize the common sources and long term trends of sustainable energy globally and locally, and broadly interpret data on the effects of using these resources on the environment.
- Describe the scientific concepts involved in the collection and storage of solar power, the use of water to produce energy, and the formation of winds.
- Examine the processes that lead to the creation of geothermal features in the earth’s crust.
- Describe the chemical and physical processes involved in the storage of energy in batteries and fuel cells.
- Illustrate basic organic chemical components of living organisms and fuels and the basic chemical reactions that convert biomass to fuels.
- Compare the heat and byproducts of chemical reactions involved in the use of traditional and sustainable fuels.
- Find and evaluate current information about sustainable energy techniques and increased energy efficiency.
- Use common types of scientific glassware, equipment, and chemicals safely and appropriately.
- Obtain reproducible data from scientific experiments; analyze, interpret, and communicate the data in a logical and coherent manner.
- Recognize uncertainties in data and identify potential sources of error.
- Understand the scientific methods, usefulness of the S.I. units, the metric system, solve mathematical problems using dimensional analysis, scientific notation, and significant figures.
- Locate reliable sources, including peer-reviewed sources of scientific evidence to construct arguments related to real-world issues.
COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include -
- Work, energy, power
- Overview of alternate energy resources
- Wind energy
- Velocity, acceleration, distance, force, displacement
- Introduction to vectors
- Solar energy, energy from water
- Geothermal energy
- Heat, thermodynamics
- Light waves
- Transmission, absorption, reflection
- Energy from biomass
- Chemical components of living structures
- Storage of energy
- Chemical components of basic fuels
- Batteries
- Transportation of energy
- Electrical energy
- Law of conservation of energy
- Fuel cells
- Interconversion of different forms of energy
- Environmental impact
LAB CONTENT: Laboratory experiments will be selected from the topics above (Items in Italics are student-conducted investigations)
- Application of wind, solar, geothermal energy in Indiana
- Application of energy from biomass in Indiana
- Limited review of current information about sustainable energy, the scientific principles involved, and the assessment of the possible use of the application where the student lives
Course Addendum - Syllabus (Click to expand)
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