Hybrid course online and hands-on project by appointment
This course explores the use of Solar-Thermal technology for space heating and water heating. Students will be given theory and hands-on lab experience, sizing, installing and maintaining solar-thermal heating systems. Basic hand tools must be supplied by the students.
General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Responsibility
Catalog description:
This course explores the use of Solar-Thermal technology for space heating and water heating. Students will be given theory and hands-on lab experience for solar-thermal site assessment, as well as sizing, installing and maintaining solar-thermal heating systems. Basic hand tools must be supplied by the students.
Prerequisites: Students enrolling in this course will need to have basic computer skills, sufficient to allow them to perform internet information searches, to send and receive e-mail; and to use a word processing program. In addition, students enrolling in this course need to have basic math skills and be able to use a simple calculator. Prerequisite courses include: ELTR 1223 and ELTR 1064.
Relationship to academic programs and transferability
Introduction to Solar Thermal Technology (ELTR 2314) was designed to meet specific student needs either individually or within a program and is designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. KCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement for general education courses. All colleges and universities participating in the IAI agree to accept a collective “package” of IAI general education courses; transfer of courses separately is not guaranteed. For more information about IAI and the transferability of courses to specific four-year institutions, go to itransfer.org and mycreditstransfer.org.
Goals and Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you will:
Thegoals for this course relate directly to the awareness, understanding, and knowledge that may be attained via the learning experiences inherent in the course content.
General Education Goals and Objectives <This section is for general education courses only, all other courses can omit>
The general education program at KCC is designed to enable students to write, read and speak at a level reflecting college-level learning. The general education goals and objectives are designed to enable students to use reasoning and problem-solving skills, and to acquire skills in ethical reasoning. Students who complete the general education program will be able to examine complex topics and apply systematic processes to form conclusions. KCC has six general education goals:
- To develop an understanding of the fundamental, scientific concepts of solar energy and heat energy.
- To develop an understanding of contemporary methods to collect and convert solar radiation into useful heat energy.
- To develop an understanding of practical and safe practices applied to the design and installation of solar thermal systems.
- To develop the knowledge and demonstrable skills required to perform a proper solar-thermal site assessment.
- To garner the knowledge that comes from the experience of properly installing and connecting all the necessary components of a solar domestic hot water system.
Verbal Communication: Students will use clear, concise language in verbal communication.
Written Communication: Students will demonstrate written communication that is organized and coherent.
Quantitative Reasoning: Students will reason and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of contexts.
Ethical Reasoning: Students will apply skills in ethical reasoning and come to understand the ways ethical issues affect individual behaviors, individual lifestyles, and public life.
Inquiry and Analysis: Students will examine complex topics and apply systematic processes resulting in formed conclusions.
Faculty Contact Information
M noon - 1pm, T/W noon - 1pm, 3-5 pm; R noon - 1pm
Clay Sterling
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of the fundamental, scientific concepts of solar energy and heat energy.
- Develop an understanding of contemporary methods to collect and convert solar radiation into useful heat energy.
- Develop an understanding of practical and safe practices applied to the design and installation of solar thermal systems.
- Develop the knowledge and demonstrable skills required to perform a proper solar-thermal site assessment.
- Garner the knowledge that comes from the experience of properly installing and connecting all the necessary components of a solar domestic hot water system.
Textbook(s) and/or Course Materials
Solar Hot Water Fundamentals, by Peter Skinner, P.E.
Scientific calculator and RED pen are required for class, each and every session.
Evaluation
Student achievement in the classroom phase of the course will be evaluated on the basis of homework, quizzes and exams. Achievement in the laboratory will be evaluated on the basis of the accuracy and completeness of reports of laboratory activities and of skills developed in the performance of manipulative tasks as evidenced by the workmanship demonstrated in the laboratory assignments. A laboratory final examination may be administered.
NOTE: The following evaluation method may be modified by the instructor as required. Letter grades are determined by the following percentage:
93 - 100 A 85 - 92 B 78 - 84 C 71 – 77 D BELOW 71 F
Assignments will NOT be accepted past the date due without prior approval. Missed quizzes may NOT be made up.
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
College Policies
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non-Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu.
Withdrawals
When it is necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date without receiving a punitive final grade. Students should use Change of Schedule forms which are available in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms to Student Services or through the mail, but they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date. No withdrawals are allowed by phone. To determine the last date to withdraw with a grade of “W” in this course, log into KCConnect and click on “my registration statement” under Academic Profile.
Email Policy
To ensure a student's privacy under all applicable education laws and to facilitate timely interactions, two College-authorized methods of electronic communication exist: KCC-issued student email accounts (using the domain name of .student.kcc.edu) and the Canvas Learning Management System. Students are expected to regularly check their KCC email accounts and Canvas for important incoming communication from the college or from individual instructors. Students understand that emails they send from personal email accounts (other than those listed above) may not be delivered to the KCC recipient, and students should have no expectation that such messages will be answered.
Non-Attendance/Non-Participation
KCC complies with state law and federal financial aid policy. If you receive an attendance grade of F or are institutionally withdrawn from a course, it will affect your eligibility for financial aid. (1) You must attend at least one class, or participate at least once for an online course (logging in without participation is not attending), by the 10th day of 16 week courses or within the first 10% of shorter term classes. Non-attendance will result in an attendance grade of F. (2) If you have excessive absences and no reasonable chance of passing the course at midterm (or after), your instructor may give you a WX grade and have you institutionally withdrawn from the course.
Week 1 Introduction, Chapter 1
Week 2 Chapter 2
Week 3 Chapter 3
Week 4 Chapter 4
Week 5 Chapter 5
Week 6 Chapter 6
Week 7 Chapter 7
Week 8 Chapter 8
Week 9 Chapter 9
Week 10 -14 Student/instructor meeting, parts identification, soldering tutorial, system design, system budget, assembly of closed loop thermal system, commissioning, project portfolio
Week 15 Course assessment
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.