Course Syllabus

Click Here to download the course syllabus Download Click Here to download the course syllabus

Course Instructor

Ted Erski, Instructor of Earth Science

Course Designer/Manager

Dr. Raymond L. Lawson, Director of Online Learning and Educational Technology at McHenry County College.

Course Description

Keeping the lights on, gasoline in our cars, and our homes comfortable, requires energy resources. These include coal, petroleum, methane, uranium, biomass, water, wind, geothermal, and sunlight. Knowing how we measure, acquire and use these resources is critical information because human population and income aspirations are increasing, while access to the means of prosperity—energy dense and affordable resources—is at best uneven. This course provides you with the tools you need to better understand the energy resources we currently use, and empowers you with the information you need to pursue the energy resources we want to use in our future.

Course Prerequisites

This course does not require any academic discipline prerequisites. However, participants should be able to understand written and spoken English.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Differentiate between non-renewable and renewable energy resources, and identify the significant virtues and vices of all energy resources.
Explain how utility-scale electricity is generated, calculate electricity production from power plants, and interpret a typical consumer electricity bill.
Describe how society depends upon energy resources for development, and explain some of the significant environmental repercussions of this dependency.

Course Grading Information

This course does not count for any academic credit at McHenry County College or elsewhere. However, you will receive a Certificate of Completion if you successfully complete all of the required assignments and activities.

Discussion Forums

Discussion forums are used discuss key issues associated with course topics. Derogatory postings are not appropriate, and students who post inappropriate content or language will be blocked from the class. Remember to be courteous to other students when responding to their postings.

Discussion forums are not graded but will be monitored by the instructor who will occasionally contribute to share additional thoughts on the material, highlight important points, correct misconceptions, and provide feedback.

Course Policies

Please follow these guidelines:.

Due to the large number of students in this course, individual technical help from the instructor is not possible.
All students are expected to adhere to the Canvas Network Code of Conduct Links to an external site.. This includes:
- Being polite and respectful toward your fellow students
- Respecting the diversity of opinions and cultures that will be present in your course
- Respecting the privacy of other students and instructors
- Posting only appropriate content (No profanity, copyrighted content, harmful content, illegal activity, advertisements, or adult content)
- Adhering to academic integrity. Although the course is not graded, academic integrity will be required of all student participants. All coursework and discussion forum posts should reflect the individual efforts of the student.

Canvas Network Technical Support

Need technical support with Canvas? Click on the word "Help" in the upper right-hand corner of your Canvas screen. From there, you will be able to search the Canvas Guides, ask a question, or suggest a feature. There is also a collection of "How to" guides found at How to use Canvas Network.