PTAC 1350: Industrial Economics
Course Syllabus
(11842 – Spring 2017)
Course Description
This course is an examination of the profitability factors of plant operations including personnel and business strategies,
objectives, and operating profitably.
This course will introduce learners to refinery configurations, products and feedstocks, margins and yields, and related topics
involving refinery economics and profitability.
Prerequisites
None
Course Goals
To complete this course successfully, learners will be expected to:

Develop an understanding of how refineries’ profit depends on location, configuration, and crude feedstock.
Instructor Information
Willie D. Williams, BSM, MBA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 713-539-1472
Office Hours: T, Th 2:00pm – 3:00pm (By appointment only)
The best way to reach the instructor is by message in the course room.
If you need to contact the instructor, please do so in this order:
1. Message in the course room
2. Via text message at the number listed in the course syllabus.
3. Via telephone at the number listed in the course syllabus
4. Personal email ([email protected])
5. HCC email ([email protected])
**NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify the syllabus, course requirements, assignments, grading procedures,
and other related policies as changes take place during the semester. However, if changes are made, proper notice will be
given.
Course Materials

Petroleum Refining: Technology and Economics (5 ed.)
Written by: James H. Gary, Glenn E. Handwerk, and Mark J. Kaiser
Published by: CRC Press
ISBN: 978-0-8493-7038-0

Online articles
Course Introduction and Faculty Expectations
Welcome to PTAC 1350, Industrial Economics. My name is Prof. Willie D. Williams. I will be your course facilitator.
Together, we will explore the workings of a modern petroleum refinery as well as the economic decisions that make them
profitable enterprises.
I am currently employed in the oil industry and bring with me over thirty-two years of refinery experience that includes
fifteen plus years of management experience. My philosophy is that we learn more by doing more.
Because this class is in a virtual environment, learners’ participation is an important key to successfully completing this
course. This is an interactive class and all learners are expected to participate in class discussions and exercises.
Remember, we learn more by doing more.
Course Assessment
The course grade will be based on a Final Project (Research Paper), Unit Quizzes, Class Discussions, a Midterm Exam
and a comprehensive Final Exam. Coursework will be weighted as follows:
Grading Policy
Unit Quizzes
Class Discussions
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
20%
30%
20%
30%
100%
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
All assignments must be completed and in a MS Word format using a Times New Roman 12 pt. font.

Each assignment should contain a cover sheet that includes the student’s name, class, assignment title, and due date.
All quizzes and exams will have start and end times and each will have a time limit for completion.
Quizzes = 30-45 minutes; Exams = 90-120 minutes.

All deadlines and due dates/times for discussions, quizzes, exams, and assignments will be strictly
enforced.

NO late assignments will be accepted for grading unless arrangements have been made prior to the
due date/time for that particular assignment.

All Unit Quizzes begin at 8:00 am on Thursday of the week and end at 8:00 pm on Saturday of the
week.

All exams (midterm and final) begin at 8:00 am on Tuesday of the week and end at 8:00 pm on
Friday of the week.
Make-Up Policy
As stated throughout this syllabus, the prevailing policy is NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR
GRADING. Let that be your guide during this class. However, I do recognize that sometimes life gets in the way and
we do meet with extenuating circumstances. If you miss a test, you must explain why and request a make-up test in
writing, through the course room (Canvas Inbox). You will receive a score of zero for an unexplained or unexcused
missed test, and I reserve the right to disqualify your excuse. Makeup tests are given only in cases of documented
illness, legal cases, mechanical difficulties, or other extenuating circumstances, not just because you need more time
to study or don't usually come to campus on the test deadline day.
Makeup tests must be arranged by you, and you should contact me in the course room (through the Canvas
Inbox) to excuse your absence, no later than the next week day after the test deadline or at the end of your
emergency. In all cases, I reserve the right of approval or disapproval.
Class Discussion Forums
Because this class is in a virtual environment, learners’ participation is an important key to successfully completing this
course. This is an interactive class and all learners are expected to participate in class discussions and exercises.
Participation in class discussions is required of every student. Discussions and responses should be meaningful,
substantive, and contribute to the advancement of the discussion and the exchange of ideas among the class. “I agree” is
not a meaningful reply or response for a discussion question so try and avoid these types of responses.

All discussion posts are due by Sunday, the last day of each unit.
All discussion forums will be graded based on the grading rubric below:
Discussion Grading Rubric
Criteria
Ratings
Four
Three
Two
One – Zero
-0 pts
-10 pts
-20 pts
-30 pts
Thoroughly addresses all parts of the
discussion question.
Addresses most aspects of the
discussion question.
Addresses parts of the
discussion question.
Fails to address all parts of
the discussion question.
25 pts
15 pts
10 pts
0 pts
Substantive. Added depth to the overall
conversation.
Substantive with clear details and
examples.
Attempts a substantive
response but needs more
detail.
Not substantive.
25 pts
15 pts
10 pts
0 pts
Extremely organized, clear and concise
throughout.
Organized and clear.
Attempts organization,
but writing in places is
unclear.
Lacks organization/
unclear.
25 pts
15 pts
10 pts
0 pts
Mechanics reflect careful editing.
A couple of errors present, but they
do not distract.
Mechanical errors distract
at times.
Mechanical errors
throughout.
25 pts
15 pts
10 pts
0 pts
Exemplary
Meets Expectations
Needs Some
Improvement
Needs Significant
Improvement
100-90 pts
89-80 pts
79-70 pts
69 or less pts
Discussion Posts
Addresses the Question
Substantive Nature of Post
Organization and Clarity
Mechanics (Spelling and
Grammar)
Total Points: 100
Scoring
*** REMEMBER ***
All deadlines and due dates/times for discussions, quizzes, exams, and assignments will be strictly enforced.
NO late assignments will be accepted for grading unless arrangements have been made prior to the due date/time for that
particular assignment.
Course Outline
Week of:
Topic
1
1/17/2017
Start Here Module: Go Here to Begin the Course (Jan. 17, 2017)
2
1/23/2017
Unit 1 - History of the Petroleum Industry and Refining Economics
3
1/30/2017
Unit 2 - Refinery Products
2/6/2017
Unit 3 - Refinery Feedstocks
4
QUIZ ONE_(Feb. 9 - Feb. 11, 2017)
5
2/13/2017
Unit 4 - Crude Distillation
6
2/20/2017
Unit 5 - Coking and Thermal Processes
7
2/27/2017
Unit 6 - Catalytic Cracking
8
3/6/2017
Unit 7 - Catalytic Hydrocracking
9
3/13/2017
10
3/20/2017
11
3/27/2017
Unit 8 - Hydroprocessing & Hydrotreating
12
4/3/2017
Unit 9 - Reforming
4/10/2017
Unit 10 - Product Blending
SPRING BREAK
Midterm Examination (March 21 - March 24, 2017)
13
QUIZ TWO_(Apr. 6 - Apr. 8, 2017)
14
4/17/2017
Unit 11 - Lubricating Oil Blending Stocks
15
4/24/2017
Unit 12 - Petrochemical Feedstocks
15
5/1/2017
Unit 13 - Refinery Economics and Planning
16
*** Final Examination *** (May 9 - May 12, 2017)
HCCS Policies and Procedures
** The Distance Education Student Handbook contains policies and procedures unique to the DE student. Students should
have reviewed the handbook as part of the mandatory orientation. It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with the
handbook's contents. The handbook contains valuable information, answers, and resources, such as DE contacts, policies and
procedures (how to drop, attendance requirements, etc.), student services (ADA, financial aid, degree planning, etc.), course
information, testing procedures, technical support, and academic calendars.
Refer to the DE Student Handbook by visiting this link:
http://de.hccs.edu/de/de-student-handbook
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 requires that institutions have policies and procedures that protect students’
rights with regard to sex/gender discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on the HCC website under StudentsAnti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require accommodations should contact any of the ADA Counselors for
assistance.
It is important that every student understands and conforms to respectful behavior while at HCC. Sexual misconduct is not
condoned and will be addressed promptly. Know your rights and how to avoid these difficult situations by logging in from your
HCC student email account, go to www.edurisksolutions.org Go to the button at the top right that says Login and click. Enter
your student number.
Students with Disabilities
"Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange
reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the respective college at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office."
For questions, contact Donna Price at 713-718-5165 or the Disability Counselor at your college. To visit the ADA Web site,
log on to www.hccs.edu, click Future Students, scroll down the page and click on the words Disability Services.
* District ADA Coordinator – Donna Price – (713) 718-5165
* Central Lead ADA Coordinator – (713) 718-6164
* Central ADA Counselor – (713) 718 – 6166
* Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Supervisor – Andrea Guerrero – (713) 718-6333
* Northeast ADA Counselor – Kim Ingram – 713-718-8420
* Northwest ADA Counselor – Mahnaz Kolaini – 713-718-5422
* Southeast ADA Counselor – Jette Lott – 713-718-7218
* Southwest ADA Counselor – Dr. Becky Hauri – 713-718-7910
* Coleman ADA Counselor – Dr. Raj Gupta – 713-718-7631
Academic Honesty
The Process Technology Department and specifically this instructor, follows the HCCS policies on scholastic dishonesty,
which includes, but is not limited, to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.
See the HCCS student handbook for a more detailed explanation.
Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and
learning. During a designated time near the end of the term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of researchbased questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and
department chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Go to www.hccs.edu/egls3 for more information