Study information

Energy, Materials and Sustainability - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEEnergy, Materials and Sustainability CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY3222 MODULE CONVENERDr Konstantina Papadopoulou (Coordinator), Dr Wolfram Möbius (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 11 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module will allow you to develop a critical, scientific, and pragmatic understanding of the role energy and materials can play in building a sustainable future. The module will emphasise the relationship human activity has with our only finite resource, the Earth. The environmental and societal impacts of acquiring energy and primary resources required to survive as a species will be explored. We will discuss the costs and limitations of manufacturing using more sustainable materials on a planet with finite resources. You will gain a strong background in renewable energy generation and new materials to help build a sustainable future.

AIMS - intentions of the module
This module will provide you with:
  • A global perspective of our total energy and resource needs now and in the future. 
  • An overview of established energy sources.
  • An overview of renewable energy sources including photovoltaics, wind, and wave power 
  • An overview of how these more sustainable technologies can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and the environmental implications of the move to renewable energy sources.  
In addition, the module will enable you to:
  • Investigate the current and potential future energy storage technologies including batteries and demands on raw materials needed for the manufacture. 
  • Discuss ways to reduce energy demand.
  • Discuss energy inequality in a global context.
  • Critically assess the costs and benefits of various energy supply scenarios
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Describe the impact of energy generation currently and in the future
2. Outline the principles of established and new energy-generating techniques and critically assess their advantages and disadvantages
3. Understand the need to not just generate energy but to store energy on scale and reduce energy demand.
4. Understand how more sustainable materials can help tackle the climate change challenge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

5. Understand local and global demand for resources
6. Analyse data regarding energy generation and consumption
7. Understand key components of energy systems
8. Critically assess new energy-generating and energy storage techniques and sustainable materials

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

9. Communicate ideas effectively through written and oral means 
10. Undertake independent study and build time management skills
11. Identify, and evaluate data from a variety of sources
12. Prepare and present information via a range of media
13. Work effectively and constructively in a team environment 
14. Have a professional and yet personal position on ideas and actions regarding the role of energy and materials in building a sustainable future.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Current and future energy demand

  • Finite energy sources (fossil fuels)

  • Sustainable energy sources (solar, wind and wave power, geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear power, organic matter/biofuels, hydrogen as clean fuel)

  • Environmental impacts of energy production (climate change, acid rain, stratospheric ozone depletion etc).

  • Emissions reduction and waste management

  • Physics of new energy storage materials/battery technologies (graphene, MAX phases, MXenes, thermoelectrics) including simulation methods in materials physics

  • The energy and materials transition

  • Urban sustainability, and challenges and opportunities for sustainable energy generation

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 30 Guided Independent Study 120 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20 20 x 1-hour lectures, guest lectures, discussions
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 10 10 x 1-hour workshops troubleshooting individual and group projects
Guided independent study 80 Individual Report and Group Project
Guided independent study 40 Reading and private study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Class discussions Weekly 1-14 Verbal discussion in class

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Individual report 65 3000 words 1-8 depending on topic chosen, 9-12, 14 Written
Group project and presentation (4 to 5 students per group) 20 15 minutes 1-8 depending on topic chosen, 9-14 Written and oral
In-class quizzes 15 (20 quizzes, 1% each, capped at 15%) In-class  1-8 Oral 

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Individual report

Individual report (3000 words, 65%)

 1-8 depending on topic chosen, 9-12, 14 Referral/deferral period
Group project and presentation (4 to 5 students per group) Narrated PowerPoint on reassessment topic (15 minutes, 20%) 1-8 depending on topic chosen, 9-14 Referral/deferral period
In-class quizzes Single ELE quiz (15%) 1-8 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Basic reading:
 
• Introduction to Energy and Sustainability - Miljanic, Ognjen S. / Pratt, Joseph A., Publisher: Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (ISBN: 978-3-527-34540-3)
 
Web-based and electronic resources: 
 
• ELE
 
Other resources: 
 
• Functional Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications -  J. A. Kilner, S. J. Skinner, S. J. C. Irvine, P. P. Edwards, Publisher: Elsevier Science (ISBN-13: 9780081016213)
 

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Miljanic, Ognjen S. and Pratt, Joseph A Introduction to Energy and Sustainability Wiley-VCH, Weinheim 978-3-527-34540-3
Extended J. A. Kilner, S. J. Skinner, S. J. C. Irvine, P. P. Edwards Functional Materials for Sustainable Energy Applications Elsevier Science 9780081016213
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 14th March 2023 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 11th June 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Energy, Materials, Sustainability, Resources

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.