Unit Outline

Energy is a key input for a well-functioning economy and is essential for maintaining our modern way of life. Energy influences many dimensions of our economic and social lives. Ensuring future responsible (sustainable) and equitable access to affordable energy is a significant challenge. Economics plays an important role in the functioning of the energy sector, as well as in the development and application of energy policies and regulations, designed to meet the challenge of sustainability. The purpose of this unit is to develop the economic theory necessary to critically evaluate energy policy and related environmental policy. The unit has been structured into 3 sections. The first section will provide an overview of energy markets. Topics include sources of energy and energy use. We will examine the economics of energy production and investment. We will also examine energy market regulation. We study power systems in section two. We look at the economics of electricity generation and distribution and the design of power markets. We investigate the issues involved with integrating renewable energy sources in power system. Section three considers the environmental implications of energy. The focus is on energy related externalities and the policies proposed to correct these externalities. The unit fits into the University's major research themes: Environment, Resources & Sustainability; and, Data, Knowledge and Decisions.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Select and apply appropriate economic theory to analyse energy markets and energy market participants including governments, industry and consumers.
2.	Use economic theory and models to analyse contemporary energy policies.
3.	Communicate economic arguments and policy using appropriate evidence.
4.	Work in a team by applying appropriate communication strategies as well as applying strategies to address group dynamic issues that arise.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Research Proposal	Week 8	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Reflection on Teamwork	Week 13	10 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Research Report	Week 13	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Assignment	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 5:	Meeting Minutes	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Research Proposal

Task Description:

Written proposal for the team’s research project. The proposal describes the research question, the importance of the question, how the team will analyse and answer the questions, and identifies the key literature that informs the questions.

Task Length:

up to 3 pages including references and diagram.

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Clearly explained the research question together with the motivation of the project.	LO1
2	Explained the appropriate economics that will inform the research.	LO2
3	Clearly described how you will answer the research question including providing a preliminary outline of the report.	LO3
4	Provided a preliminary reference list and sources of data (if using data) and described the sources relevance to the project.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Reflection on Teamwork

Task Description:

Individuals will reflect on the how the team worked, issues that emerged and strategies implemented to address these issues. Individuals will reflect on how they worked within the team and what they learned from working with the Team.

Task Length:

Maximum 600 words.

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify issues that emerged in terms of working with your team, identifying the reasons why the issues emerged and strategies that YOU and the team took to resolve.	LO4
2	Reflect on how you worked within the team by identifying your contributions as well as identifying how your experience has led to improving your teamwork.	LO4
3	Reflection is clearly written with arguments supported with examples from working with your team.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Research Report

Task Description:

Research report on a significant issue in energy relevant to Tasmania and/or Australia. Detailed guidelines and rubric are available on MyLo.

Task Length:

Approximately 15 pages depending on tables, data, diagrams, or mathematics included in the report.

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Defined the research problem, the aims of the report and the significance of the research in the context of the economic problem.	LO1
2	Critically analysed the implications of the economic analysis and its relationship to the research problem.	LO2
3	Used logical arguments to support conclusions using evidence from economic theory using graphs, data, and models where appropriate	LO2
4	Clarity, precision, and economy of writing.	LO3
5	Communicate economic analysis clearly in a written form supported by economics.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Assignment

Task Description:

Problem Solving: Applying Economic Tools and Theory to Problems in Energy. Various problem solving tasks scheduled over the semester. First assignment due week 5 and the second assignment due week 10.

Task Length:

4-5 multipart activities

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Correctly identified the relevant economic setting, and issues to be analysed.	LO1
2	Selected the appropriate theory and concepts for the economic setting and issue to be studied.	LO1
3	Correctly applied either mathematics, graphical analysis together with appropriate economic concepts.	LO2
4	Supported all economic arguments and conclusions with the correct interpretation of theory, models and/or data.	LO2

Assessment Task 5: Meeting Minutes

Task Description:

Teams will be required to keep minutes of group meetings documenting chairs, agendas, action items, due dates and completions. Groups submit minutes at various times over the semester depending on their chosen meeting schedules.

Task Length:

Single Page using a form supplied to students.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Used clear agendas to organise team meetings with rotating meeting chairs. Key points of the discussions of agenda are documented to ensure team members are aligned.	LO4
2	Actions items are assigned to each team member together with due dates. Actions items are updated at each meeting including completions and identifying reasons why actions were not completed and strategies to accomplish overdue action items.	LO4
3	Meeting minutes are prepared for meetings.	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.