48820 Introduction to Environmental Engineering

The objectives of this subject are to: introduce students to key concepts of environmental science and engineering, and to the social, legislative and political context of the work of environmental engineers; develop their understanding of the consequences of humans interacting with their environment; and enable them to answer questions such as 'What is pollution?' and 'What skills are needed for the responsible practice of environmental engineering?'.

The following material is examined and integrated.

• The work of environmental engineers – local and global environmental problems and their implications for engineers; the emergence of environmental engineering as a separate discipline; issues addressed by engineers who regard themselves as environmental engineers in Australia; career paths; interactions between environmental engineers and other professions, occupations and groups; community attitudes towards engineers and the social and professional implications of these attitudes for their work; the IEAust Code of Ethics and policies on the environment, heritage and sustainability; journals and other sources of information on environmental engineering; an introduction to environmental management systems and auditing.
• The social environment – the social construction of 'environment'; environmental ethics; an introduction to environmentalism, especially in Australia; aims and strategies of Australian non-governmental environmental organisations and community action groups.
• The political and legislative environment – how environmental policy and decisions are made; the nature of environmental disputes, and their resolution; environmental legislation and environmental planning.
• The natural environment – the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere; the science of the atmosphere and hydrosphere; the concept of biogeochemical cycles in the context of environmental engineering; an introduction to climate, geomorphology, and soil and vegetation associations; methods used to monitor the environment, and geographical information systems.
• Consequences of humans interacting with their environment – the environmental impacts of poorly planned urbanisation, industrialisation, and other forms of development; the sources, causes, and effects of air, noise, water and soil pollution; an introduction to the mitigation and abatement of these impacts.

Assessment: Typically assessment for this subject involves a combination of assignments and mid-semester and final examinations.

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus