Assignment 1: (worth 5% of total mark)

This will be smaller than the other assignments. You will be assigned an everyday object and asked to research the originof two resources used in its manufacture. Its aim is to get you to a) use the internet in a sensible manner to acquire knowledge and insight. b) summarise this comprehensively and c) present the information in a short, 3 min presentation and summary sheet of A4.

Assignment 2:

These are longer format written assignments which will require, research and referencing to discuss Uranium mining and nuclear waste disposal 

Research Component (65%)

In no more than 1 page per part, you are asked to:

a. Describe and briefly evaluate the benefits and costs to Australia of uranium mining.

b. Explain why Western Australia is considered a prime location for establishing a high-level nuclear

waste repository.

c. Outline the potential benefits of building such a repository.

d. Outline the potential problems of building such a repository.

Individual Component (35%)

As an individual, you are asked to respond to the following (max 1 page per part):

a. In your opinion, should Australia allow mining of its uranium deposits? If so, under what conditions?

Justify your answer.

b. Discuss whether you would support building of a high-level waste repository facility in Australia,

giving reasons for, and reservations in, your answer.

c. If you are in favour of building such a repository, explain how you would go about selling the idea to

the Australian public and government; if not, offer your preferred solution to the issue of global nuclear

waste

A brief introduction to the assignment and summary are also expected. Accurate referencing of all

sources of information is essential.

Assignment 3:

These are longer format written assignments which will require research and referenceing to discuss  Carbon Capture and Storage.

Research Component (65%)

In no more than 1 page per part, you are asked to:

1. Describe what the reasons could be for Australia wanting to contribute to the development of

CCS while developing countries such as India and China continue to build power stations but

are not at the forefront of CCS.

2. Describe and evaluate what the main concerns are of Carbon Capture and Storage.

3. Describe how CCS will affect the cost of electricity for an average Australian house hold and

what the main contributions to this change in cost are.

4. Tabulate the current contribution of each of the main renewable energy sources (e.g., wind,

solar) to Australia's electricity supply. Briefly evaluate the importance of each energy source to

Australia's overall electricity supply.

Individual Component (35%)

As an individual, you are asked to respond to the following (max 1 page per part):

1. Explain if you think CCS is a feasible option for Australia in reducing its carbon emissions and

also explain why.

2. Compare the time that is needed for CCS to become large scale to

- firstly, the timing of the global CO2 reduction targets which the G8 has set themselves

- and secondly, the time it takes to plan and build a new power station

Give your view on how this could affect the development of CCS

3. What alternatives would you present if CCS would turn out not to be viable? Name at least

three and explain why you think these options are most likely to tackle the problem of reducing

CO2 emissions.

4 online quizzes will conducted during the course of the semester at intervals corresponding to  approximately every three weeks.

A written 2 hour exam covering ALL aspects of the unit, including practical and assignment tasks.

An online interactive quiz based ganme designed to enhance your learning of key concepts and drive deeper insights inot the material. Since the topics we will be investigating are relevant to everyday issues, and commonly appear in the news as well as scientific studies, this is an opportunity to access the wealth of material in the public domain.

A 10% Quiz at the end of semester will be sourced from questions entered by students participating in the ReadinGAME