Science and Policy for Energy Futures
UndergraduateTAS-KGA3192025
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Start dates
- 21 July 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Science and Policy for Energy Futures
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Describe the energy system in Australia in terms of its production, distribution and consumption, across both space and time.
- Synthesise information from a range of energy sector sources, including government, scientists, industry, and other stakeholders in order to articulate key issues at the science-policy interface.
- Evaluate a range of ethical, regulatory, economic and socio-political contexts as individuals and in teams in order to make recommendations about complex energy sector problems.
- Explain past, present and future processes that shape the Tasmanian energy sector in order to make integrated recommendations sensitive to the Tasmanian context.
- Module 1: Understanding Energy Systems
- Energy Controversies and Conflicts
- Resource and Economic Energy Landscapes
- Infrastructural and Geopolitical Energy Landscapes
- Module 2: The Science-Policy Interface
- The Role of Scientists in the Policy Process
- Energy Expertise and Narratives of the Future
- Risk, Uncertainty and Planning
- Module 3: Energy Futures
- Renewable Technologies
- Energy Storage
- Electric Vehicles
- Green Hydrogen
This subject will equip students with an interdisciplinary understanding of energy systems. Its focus is on how science and policy are interacting to shape Australia’s energy futures. The Australian energy sector is experiencing a period of change, prompted by the availability of new energy technologies as well as new societal expectations, desires and behaviours. Learning will focus on how these changes are being initiated and governed through a range of organisations and institutions, including the state, corporations, community groups, and individual households. The interplay between expert knowledge and decision making will be analysed, with close attention to the politics of technical decision-making processes. This subject is taught collaboratively with input from the Tasmanian energy industry and government. Science and Policy for Energy Futures will be of interest to undergraduate students from Geography, Social Sciences, Engineering and Law.
- Research Brief (Option A) / Position Paper (Option B) (50%)
- Group Workshop Presentation (30%)
- Weekly Quiz from Wk 2 to Wk 13 (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: 1 short lecture (pre-recorded) and 1 x 2-hour workshop per week, as well as independent learning; plus a 2-day online intensive workshop in Week 9.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environment)
UndergraduateTAS-SCG-DEG
Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-BBS-DEG
Bachelor of Psychological Science and Bachelor of Science
UndergraduateTAS-PSC-DEG
Bachelor of Science (Sustainability)
UndergraduateTAS-SUS-DEG
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.