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SK184N Environmental Physics 9.0 credits

This e-course covers the physics of solar energy, the carbon cycle, carbon-based, nuclear, and renewable energy, the Green-house effect, and how mankind affects the environment. The emphasis is on understanding the relevant physical principles and the ability to apply them to solving simple practical problems.

Choose semester and course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Application

For course offering

Autumn 2024 Start 26 Aug 2024 single courses students

Application code

10029

Headings with content from the Course syllabus SK184N (Spring 2016–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Solar energy, the carbon cycle, the Green-house effect, fossil-fuel energy, heat engines, nuclear power, fission and fusion, renewable energy from sun, wind, water, biosources, environmental pollution in air, water, noise and radiation, climate changes, sustainable development.

Intended learning outcomes

The course covers the physics of solar energy, the carbon cycle, carbon-based, nuclear, and renewable energy, the Green-house effect, and how mankind affects the environment. The emphasis is on conceptual understanding of the relevant physical mechanisms.

The student will learn to:

  • solve problems regarding the solar radiation, the Earth's carbon cycle and the Green-house effect
  • discuss the structure of the atmosphere and the biospheric radiation balance
  • perform calculations on conventional carbon-based and nuclear energy
  • explain and make estimates on renewable energy sources - solar, wind, water, and bio
  • discuss acousticcal and electromagnetic effects on the environment, various sources of pollution, as well as aspects of sustainable development of mankind

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Basic eligibility for university studies.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

Computer

Literature

The course does not require course literature

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • TEN1 - Exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • TEN2 - Exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • TEN3 - Exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Other requirements for final grade

Three written exams: TEN1, 3 hp, grading scale A-F; TEN2, 3 hp, grading scale A-F; TEN3, 3 hp, grading scale A-F.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Technology

Education cycle

First cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Vladislav Korenivski (vk@kth.se)

Supplementary information

The course is a distance online course and is applied via antagning.se for both program students and external students who want to read the course.