Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code ENVS3010
Date2023/09/24 20:41
Enquiry for Course Details
ENVS3010 Sustainable energy and environment (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Physics Quota ---
Course Co-ordinator Prof A B Djurisic, Physics < dalek@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof A B Djurisic,Physics)
Course Objectives In this course, the students will learn about sustainability and environmental impact of different energy technologies, including conventional energy sources as well as renewable and/or clean energy sources. The technological challenges, potential for future development, and environmental impacts (community, regional, and global) will be discussed.
Course Contents & Topics The course will cover energy production and use, environmental impact of energy use, fossil fuels and methods for making them more sustainable, clean fuels, electricity generation, renewable energy technologies (with emphasis on biomass, wind and solar energy), hydrogen, energy storage, and energy conservation.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 define the concept of sustainable development
CLO 2 explain the challenges and potential for development of various energy technologies
CLO 3 compare the environmental impact of conventional and new energy technologies
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in CHEM2041 or ENVS2001 or ENVS2002 or PHYS2260
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Environmental Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Environmental Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Apply highly effective organizational and presentational skills.
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. Apply effective organizational and presentational skills.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Apply moderately effective organizational and presentational skills.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Apply limited or barely effective organizational and presentational skills.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Organization and presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self study 80
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments debate questions performance 10 CLO 1,2,3
Examination 2-hour written exam 50 CLO 1,2,3
Presentation 40 CLO 2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Lecture notes provided by Course Coordinator
Godfrey Boyle: Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future (Oxford University Press, 2003)
G. Boyle, B. Everett, and J. Ramage: Energy Systems and Sustainability: Power for a Sustainable Future (The Open University, 2003)
R. M. Dell and D. A. J. Rand: Clean Energy (The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2004)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information NIL
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