10484120Introduction to Biofuels
Course Information
Description
An introduction to solid, liquid and gaseous fuels derived from all sources. This course will cover the history of fuel use, placing petroleum into its proper context of being just one of the many alternatives being exploited by humans to fulfill current demands. Topics include the history of fuel and petroleum, peak oil, economics of petroleum and biofuels, engine design and fuel requirements, agriculture and fuels, wastes, conventional ethanol production, cellulosic ethanol, algae, other alcohols (biobutanol, etc.), biodiesel, biogas (anaerobic digestion), gasification, pyrolysis, fuel quality, environmental impacts, energy independence and national security.
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Explore the historical aspects of bioenergy.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  2. Describe uses of fuel and demand for alternative options.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  3. Discuss natural resource usage and depletion.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  4. Discuss the environmental impact of fuels and biofuels.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  5. Describe the processes current in use for producing ethanol.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  6. Describe the process used for biodiesel production.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  7. Describe anaerobic digestion.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  8. Describe pyrolysis.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage

  9. Describe gasification.
    Assessment Strategies
    by participating in the class
    by completing out of class assignments
    by completing a research report
    by completing written products that includes "drawing" a diagram of a process and describing it.
    by completing exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you enter into class discussions
    you offer questions or comments during class
    you engage in the electronic learning forum
    you offer questions or comments via e-mail
    you attend class regularly
    you arrive for class on time
    you listen attentively during class
    research report topic is directly relevant to the project assigned and is approved by the instructor
    research report includes a cover page
    research report contains an introductory paragraph
    each main point is supported with evidence
    direct quotes are documented correctly
    research report is based on more than one source
    Work is appropriately cited
    research report includes a conclusion
    research report evidences correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling
    you submit a draft of the paper
    second draft of paper evidences suggestions taken from peer editing process
    research report is word processed
    research report is submitted on time
    written product fulfills a clear purpose
    written product reflects accurate analysis of the target audience
    written product shows evidence of logical critical thinking
    written product follows an effective organizational plan
    written product follows prescribed format, meeting criteria for all components
    written product exhibits correct and appropriate grammar, punctuation, spelling, syntax, and word usage