Course Syllabus
Introduction
to Biomass Energy Resources
SER-121
MWF 11:00-11:55
Fall 2007
Instructor Name:
Office No: 107A
Phone: (712)362-7364
Fax: (712) 362 8392
Email: gphillips@iowalakes.edu
Office Hours: As posted on
office door
Catalog Description: Introduction to Biomass Energy
Resources is designed to provide a basic understanding of biomass as an energy
resource. Topics covered will include
the history of biomass energy usage; the location, magnitude, and availability
of biomass energy resources; biomass energy technologies; and the economic and
environmental issues associated with using biomass energy resources.
Prerequisites: None
Credits: Lecture
(SER-121) – 3 credits
Text & Additional Materials: No text
required.
Course Objectives: The objectives of this course
are to provide the student with knowledge of various aspects of the production
and consumption of biomass energy. The
student will become familiar with the various types of biomass energy
technologies as well as the economic, societal, and environmental aspects of
each type of biomass energy technology.
Course Competencies: Upon
completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Outline the history of
the usage of biomass energy resources by humans.
2. Describe the current
state of biomass energy usage in the less developed countries.
3. Describe
the societal, economic, and environmental implications of the fuel wood crisis
in less developed countries.
4. Describe the current
state of biomass energy usage in the more developed countries.
5. Using current trends,
project the future usage of biomass resources as a source of global energy.
6. Discuss
the limitations of biomass energy resources in meeting the current and future
demands for commercial energy.
7. Outline the steps
involved in photosynthesis.
8. List and describe the
various plant stocks suitable for usage in the biomass energy industry.
9. Compare
and contrast the economic merits of the various plant stocks currently
available for biomass energy production.
10. Describe
the economic and environmental issues associated with the agricultural
production of biomass plant stocks.
11. Describe
the relationship between sustainability and the agricultural production of
biomass plant stocks.
12. Define the concept of
agricultural synergy as it applies to the production of biomass energy.
13. Outline the steps
involved in conventional corn-based ethanol production.
14. Compare and contrast
conventional and cellulosic ethanol production.
15. List and describe the
usage of the by-products produced by the ethanol industry.
16. Describe the role of
methane production in the biomass energy industry.
17. Outline the steps involved
in the production of biodiesel fuels.
18. List and describe the
usage of the by-products produced by the biodiesel industry.
19. Describe the concept of
ethanol and biodiesel as transition fuels.
20. List and describe the
air and water pollutants associated with the biomass energy industry.
21. Describe
the global impacts of the usage of food stocks for fuel production in the less
developed countries.
22. Describe
the economic and societal impacts of biomass energy production in the more
developed countries.
23. Describe
the old term impacts on soil resources as result of a biomass energy based
agricultural system.
24. Based
on current trends, project the future growth and development of the biomass
energy industry.
Units
of Instruction: During the semester the
following units will be covered:
1. History of the usage of biomass as an energy
resource
2.
Location, magnitude, and availability of biomass energy resources
3.
Biomass energy technologies
4.
Economic and environmental issues
associated with biomass energy resources
Methods of Instruction:
There are three hours of lecture, demonstrations, discussions, and
Internet research assignments each week.
Guest speakers and field trips will also be included as part of the
course instruction.
Attendance Policies: Students are expected to attend class. Attendance will be taken and used in the determination of the final course grade. Each student will begin the semester with three sick leave/personal days which may be used as needed by the student for any illnesses or personal matters which may arise during the semester. Course work or exams missed on those days may be made up if done so within three class days after the absence. If more than four days are missed during the semester, make-up of course work or exams missed on those days will not be allowed. In the case of an extended illness or personal emergency, the above policies may be modified if the circumstances warrant special consideration. Days missed as a result of a school related activities (i.e. participation in course field trips, athletic events, etc.) will be considered as an excused absence only if a memo from the faculty member sponsoring the event is received by the instructor prior to the absence. If such a memo is not received, the absence will be considered as a missed class period.
Grading Policies: Grading
is determined by a percentage of total points for the semester.
Scale: A = 90 to 100%
B = 80 to 89%
C = 70 to 79%
D = 60 to 69%
F = Less than 60%
Four 1-hour tests of 100 points each will be given during the semester. These tests will include multiple choice and essay questions. Four quizzes of 10 points each will also be given during the semester. These quizzes will consist of 10 multiple choice questions. Class reports and projects will be assigned during the semester and will be graded on accuracy, completeness, proper format, neatness, and scientific knowledge. A 100 point research paper is also required for this course.
Tests = 400 points
Quizzes = 40 points
Class Reports = 180 points
Research Paper = 100 points
Attendance = 80 points
TOTAL POINTS = 800 points
Other Expectations: Students are expected to arrive on time and have the necessary course materials and supplies required for the days activities. The usage of cell phones by students during class is prohibited. Failure to abide with this policy may result in the ejection of the student from the classroom. Students ejected from the classroom will also forfeit one of their sick leave/personal days as a result of violation of this policy.
STUDENT ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
Actions
contrary to academic integrity will not be tolerated. Activities that have the effect or intention
of interfering with learning or fair evaluation of a student’s work or
performance are considered a breach of academic integrity. Examples of such unacceptable activities
include, but are not limited to:
·
Cheating (intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized material,
assistance or study aids in my academic work).
For example, using a cheat sheet for a test, looking at another
student’s paper during an exam, stealing or buying all or parts of an exam or
paper, altering and resubmitting work for a better grade without prior approval
to do so, etc.
·
Plagiarism (representing another’s ideas, words, expressions or data in writing
or presentation without giving proper credit, failing to cite a reference or
failing to use proper documentation, using works of another gained over the
Internet and submitted as one’s own work).
·
Falsification and/or misrepresentation of data (submitting contrived or
made-up information in any academic exercise).
For example, making up data, citing non-existent sources, etc.
·
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty (knowingly helping or attempting to help another
violate any provision of the academic honesty policy). For example, working together on a take-home
exam or other assignment when the option has not been made available, giving a
paper/assignment to another student for his/her use, etc.
·
Multiple Submissions (submitting, without prior approval from the instructor involved, any
work submitted to fulfill academic requirements in another class). For example, submitting the same paper for
two different classes, etc.
·
Unfair Advantage (trying to gain unauthorized advantage over fellow students). For example, gaining or facilitating
unauthorized access to exam materials (past or present); interfering with
another student’s efforts in an academic exercise; lying about the need for an
extension on a paper or assignment; destroying, hiding, removing or keeping
library materials, etc.
Any
violation of this policy will be treated as a serious matter. The instructor has primary responsibility
over classroom behavior and maintaining academic integrity. Depending on the nature and severity of the
offense,
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not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities and to provide reasonable
accommodation(s), as required by law, to otherwise qualified applicants for admission
or to students with disabilities in all education programs, activities,
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is the policy of Iowa Lakes Community College not to discriminate on the basis
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education programs, activities, or employment policies, as required by Titles
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Amendments, Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, or Section 504 may be directed to Kathy Muller, Human Resources, Iowa Lakes Community College, 19 S. Seventh Street, Estherville, IA 51334, telephone (712)362-0433; to the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Des Moines; or to the Director of the Region VII Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Kansas City, Missouri.