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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD070.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Energy Science
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course presents an introduction to the science of energy. It will examine human energy use patterns and their consequences, the meaning of energy, the various energy forms, the ways that energy converts from one form to another, and the unforgiving laws of thermodynamics, which govern everything about energy.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Environmental Technologies (Environmental hazardous material technology, hazardous material abate- ment, environmentally conscious manufacturing, waste water pretreatment, air pollution control technology, integrated waste management, water treatment, sewage treatment)]
Discipline 3
[Ecology]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable and is a requirement of the CTE Energy Management and Building Science Certificate and Degree. It provides a solid foundation for all of the other courses in the program and develops the necessary technical background to perform simple analyses of sustainable buildings and energy systems.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
2.0
Maximum Credit Units
2.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
24.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem-solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises/projects

Assignments

  1. Reading assignments from text and other relevant materials
  2. Writing assignments involving calculations, summary, analysis, and synthesis of data and/or information
  3. Individual or team presentations/projects/reports on an assigned topic

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Weekly in-class and homework assignments to practice student comprehension of principles and concepts.
  2. Presentation of individual or team project to demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and organize information on an assigned topic.
  3. A final assessment (exam) to demonstrate student comprehension of principles and concepts.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Calculator with advanced functions such as exponents, root, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions, etc.
  • Device with word processing and spreadsheet capabilities
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center (KC) for Environmental Studies (a sustainable building with sustainable materials and design features), energy management lab (KC239), solar photovoltaic (PV) demonstration arrays (KC West, outdoors), building renewable energy systems (solar thermal system, solar PV system, controls room & other related equipment), and building mechanical (KC204) and electrical (KC205) rooms

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Andrews, J., & Jelley, N.Energy Science: Principles, Technologies, and ImpactsOxford University Press2022/4th Edition9780198854401
Randolph, J., & Masters, G. M.Energy for Sustainability: Technology, Planning, and PolicyIsland Press2018/2nd Edition9781610918206
Jaffe, R. L., & Taylor, W.The Physics of EnergyCambridge University Press20189781139061292

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Demonstrate the patterns of human energy use and the resulting environmental consequences
  • Investigate the meaning, forms, conversions, and terminologies of energy
  • Present the elusive concept of heat and the modes of heat transfer
  • Explain the unforgiving laws of thermodynamics and their importance to energy

CSLOs

  • Discuss human energy use and its effects on the environment

  • Identify the meaning of energy, its various forms, and associated conversions and terminology

  • Explain what is heat and how it transfers from one object to another

  • Recognize the complexities and usefulness of the thermodynamic laws

Outline

  1. Demonstrate the patterns of human energy use and the resulting environmental consequences
    1. Earth’s energy sources
    2. The energy use of humans
    3. Anthropogenic climate change
  2. Investigate the meaning, forms, conversions, and terminologies of energy
    1. Energy and power
    2. Quantifying energy
    3. Various forms of energy and their conversions
    4. Energy and work
    5. The role of friction
  3. Present the elusive concept of heat and the modes of heat transfer
    1. Heat and thermal energy
    2. Thermal energy and temperature
    3. State changes and latent heat
    4. Heat capacity and specific heat
    5. Modes of heat transfer
  4. Explain the unforgiving laws of thermodynamics and their importance to energy
    1. First law of thermodynamics and energy efficiency
    2. Energy quality and irreversibility
    3. Second law of thermodynamics and entropy
    4. Heat engines and the Carnot efficiency
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