49123 Waste and Pollution Management
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2017 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
It is important to treat waste and pollution control in an integrated and comprehensive manner, permitting evaluation of benefits of waste minimisation to industry and of pollution reduction in the environment. This subject introduces students to leading-edge technologies of waste minimisation and pollution control such as membrane processes; raw materials extraction and refinement; and product development including design, manufacture, use, re-use/recycling and environmental auditing of the product life cycle. An understanding of management techniques for solid/hazardous and liquid wastes is developed. Other topics comprehensively covered include institutional barriers to improving the technologies of waste technology and management practices adopted in domestic waste, the paper industry, metal plating industry, food and dairy industry, household waste and water recycling in buildings.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Comprehensively describe how waste minimisation and pollution control are treated |
|---|---|
| 2. | Evaluate the benefits of waste minimisation to industry and of pollution reduction in the environment |
| 3. | Appreciate, evaluate and apply leading edge technologies to topic |
| 4. | Utilise various methods of management techniques for solid/hazardous and liquid wastes |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:
- Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs. (A.1)
- Apply principles of sustainability to create viable systems (A.4)
- Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1)
- Design components, systems and/ or processes to meet required specification (B.2)
- Implement and test solution (B.5)
Teaching and learning strategies
Strategy 1: Preparation for On-Campus Learning
Student learning in this subject is facilitated through week O and three block sessions. In preparation for block classes students should watch the introductory video on UTSOnline. Students should reflect on the issues raised in the video and the questions posted on UTSonline related to the video. This will be discussed in class in Block 1 during a tutorial session. Students will benefit from discussion with their student colleagues. The discussion is moderated by the subject coordinator, affording the opportunity to provide feedback on students’ reflections and answers and direct further learning.
Strategy 2: Practical Learning through lectures and tutorials
The three block sessions during the teaching session comprising lectures and tutorials. Each block will be held from 9.30am to 5pm on a Monday and 9.30am to 1pm on a Tuesday. The course is taught by lectures, assignments and project work. Students are expected to actively take part in class to, in part, help build their communication skills as well as consolidate concepts of waste management and minimisation.
Lectures are supported by relevant lecture material including notes, reference material, design guides, tutorials, online questions, assignments, etc. placed on UTSOnline. Students will gain most from the lectures if they read each block’s material in advance and answer the associated online tutorials before the lecture so that the lecture can focus on problem solving activities and the more problematic material. The lectures are interactive in all aspects of the course of instruction, which will include the use of power-point presentations and selected videos. The lectures will have a practical bias that aims to be relevant to professional engineering practice. Some of the tutorials are given by guest lecturers with industry expertise to link subject to professional engineering practice.
Strategy 3: Collaborative Learning
Students work collaboratively in groups during tutorial sessions (two per block) and class assignments (one per block). These sessions will be interactive with a focus on problem-solving, discussion and feedback including in groups and on a one to one basis. All tutorial sessions provide significant opportunities for students to problem solve collaboratively. During the tutorial sessions, 4-5 students in a group discuss a problem in a collective manner. Answering the problem question enables students to reflect on the issues raised during the lectures. The discussion allows the lecturer the opportunity to provide feedback and direct further learning.
Strategy 4: Ongoing Feedback
Opportunities are provided for formal and informal feedback throughout this subject. Students will receive informal feedback on their problem-solving and collaborative skills during tutorial sessions. In addition, there are numerous formative assessments activities (some do not contribute to overall assessment) from Block 1 onward, that are designed to allow students to practise using their new knowledge/skills and receive feedback from the lecturer. There will be a class assignment during block 1 and feedback will be given to students in class and also in their marked assignments within the first four weeks of the teaching session, before census date. Assignment marks will be posted on UTSOnline with answers to this class assignment. Distance mode students will be provided with questions and short answers afterwards. They will be given opportunity to discuss with the lecturer face-to-face or over the phone.
Content (topics)
Introduction: Pollution control and needs for clean technology; Advances in pollution control: Processes and case studies, technological aspects of waste management; Techniques to achieve cleaner technologies with examples; Waste minimisation with case studies of developed and developing countries; Waste auditing in industries with examples on tanning and metal plating industries; Institutional barriers to waste minimisation: Employee incentives; Strategies for promotion of cleaner production for sustainable development; Treatment and utilisation practices for recycle of sewage and sludge; Solid and hazardous waste minimisation and management.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Waste Management and Recycling
| Intent: | This assignment test students understanding of wastewater and bio-solids management principles, and ability to undertake basic design calculations and develop management practices. This will expose them to the design process of wastewater treatment plants. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.4, B.1, B.2 and B.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 10% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Criteria: Single answers (Quantitative and qualitative) and methodology/approach to problem-solving. Design of water reuse scheme is a group activity. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Waste minimisation methodologies and practices
| Intent: | This assignment will help the students to carry out processes in industrial waste minimisation which lead to the current practice of waste reduction and cleaner technology. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, B.1 and B.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 15% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Criteria: Single answers (Quantitative and qualitative) and methodology/approach to problem-solving. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Alternative water sources
| Intent: | This assignment will help in the choice of alternative water sources for industries through case studies and design calculations. This will lead to developing strategies for pollution abatement for an actual waste management scenario. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.4, B.2 and B.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 25% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Individual assignment on best management strategies. Short qualitative and quantitative questions to illustrate the above principles (10%) Class group assignment on pollution abatement strategies (10%) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Final Exam
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): , 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.4, B.1 and B.2 | ||||||||||||
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| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||
| Length: | The duration of the examination is 2 hours and 10 minutes. | ||||||||||||
| Criteria: | Marks for each exam question are stated in the exam sheets. | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, you must
- complete, and submit each of the Assessment tasks
- obtain a minimum of 50% in the final exam and
- earn an overall total of 50 marks or more for the subject
Required texts
- Vigneswaran S, Visvanathan C and Jegatheesan V, 1998, ‘Industrial waste minimisation’, Ensearch, Malaysia
- Course notes are available at the bookshop
The CN Number is: Waste and Pollution Management, CN No. and Price will be advised at https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/feit/postgraduate-coursework/distance-mode/learning-materials
Recommended texts
Information on specific text will be provided in class
References
see recommended text
Other resources
see UTSOnline: https://online.uts.edu.au/
