Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - REM 350 D100

Sustainable Energy and Materials Management (4)

Class Number: 4999

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Tue, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2019
    Sat, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Takes an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable management of society's energy and materials flows. Topics range from thermodynamics and estimates of global resources to market-based policies and governance Institutions. Peak oil, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage are also discussed. The role for green consumerism in light of climate challenge are highlighted.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course takes an interdisciplinary approach to providing students from diverse backgrounds with an understanding of:

  • how humans are disrupting the planet’s energy and material flows;
  • our thermodynamic, geological and biological options for reducing this disruption;
  • the environmental, economic and social implications of pursuing these options; and
  • helpful institutional and governmental changes at local, national, and global levels.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Representative questions explored in the course

  • Can current or even substantially higher human-related flows of energy and materials be sustainable?
  • Can non-renewable resource use be part of a sustainable energy and material system?
  • Is peak oil an important concept?
  • Is peak phosphorous an important concept?
  • Is energy efficiency cheap?
  • Will renewables soon be a cheaper source of energy than fossil fuels?
  • How do we define behavioral change for sustainability and what is the potential?
  • How do we compare between renewables, nuclear and carbon capture & storage?
  • Must energy systems be decentralized and small scale to be sustainable?
  • How do we evaluate alternative policies for sustainability?
  • Can we prevent most local impacts and risks from energy and is this essential?
  • What institutions and policy processes are needed for rapidly scaling-up renewables?
  • Is carbon neutrality a useful target and are offsets a useful policy contribution?
  • How do we assess geo-engineering as an option for addressing the climate change risk?
  • How can we achieve the necessary global effort against the climate risk?
  • What mechanisms within and between nations can rapidly provide energy access to 2 billion people?
  • What is economic growth and can it be sustained indefinitely?
  • Can international trade be sustainable?
  • Is foreign investment good or bad for developing countries?
  • How can research into human cognition help with policy design?
  • What role, if any, for civil activism in advancing sustainability?
  • What is likely if humans continue to fail to reduce GHG emissions?

Grading

  • Best 3 of 4 surprise quizzes (each worth 5%) 15%
  • Mid-term 30%
  • Final exam 40%
  • Tutorial participation (automatic 0 if miss 3 classes) 15%

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS