48350 Environmental and Sanitation Engineering
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2021 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 60101 Chemistry and Materials Science OR 65111 Chemistry 1
Anti-requisite(s): 48840 Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering
Description
This subject introduces civil engineering students to essential environmental concepts and the environmental consequences of typical engineering activities. It offers a better understanding of the interrelationship between engineering, the environment and society, which provides the transition from academic knowledge to real-life situations encountered during planning, designing and implementing civil engineering projects. The subject helps students: develop an awareness of environmental issues; reinforce the implication of certain processes such as construction within a natural system; become familiar with both preventive and management strategies to minimise air, water, soil and noise pollution; and understand concepts and design of water pollution control mechanisms.
Students acquire the relevant knowledge and critiquing skills that civil engineers require when working in environmental areas related to pollution control, environmental control and resource protection and management. They also develop skills of systems-thinking and problem-solving to develop better economical and environmentally sound structures or buildings.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Acquire an awareness of environmental issues relevant to civil engineering-related activities; |
|---|---|
| 2. | Reinforce the implication of certain processes such as construction within a natural system; |
| 3. | Demonstrate familiarity with both preventive and management strategies to combat water, soil, air and noise pollution; |
| 4. | Identify concepts of water pollution control mechanisms and their impact on design. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Student learning is implemented and facilitated through pre-work sessions, face-to-face sessions, laboratory sessions and practical sessions.
During the weeks of Transition to Study, students are required to undertake self-learning based on the topics, materials and questions made available at Canvas, as well as complete a Pre-work Session Exercise (at Canvas) with 10-15 relevant questions. Students will perform self-assessment based on the answers posted at Canvas 3 days before class starts. Feedback for the common problematic questions will be discussed in class. Students will also be able to receive feedback for their individual learning by making an appointment with the relevant academic.
Each 2-hr class is a combination of a mini-lecture including tutorial style, interactive questions and discussions. Students are expected to pre-study and try their best to find solutions for the tutorial questions posted at Canvas before attending each face-to-face class session. During the class session, students will be given 2-5 mins. to discuss and exchange their thoughts before the lecturer provides the feedback.
Students are divided into groups (5-6 students per group) to conduct laboratory sessions. In these sessions, students need to complete the tasks in a cooperative effort and establish skills for group learning, discussion and problem solving.
Content (topics)
The subject content is designed to meet the objectives of the subject as well as the overall course aims. The main topics that will be covered in this subject relate to:
- Environmental issues and their importance; pollution, their types and effects on natural ecosystems;
- Environmental legislation and the importance of conducting environmental impact assessment
- Problems of waste generation and principles of landfill management
- Concepts of water pollution and its control
- Design of water and wastewater treatment works
- Project case studies emphasising environmental issues
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online Lab Reports
| Intent: | Students will engage in basic water quality parameters such as pH, suspended solids, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
Assessment task 2: Research Report
| Intent: | To enhance student learning and share new experiences that provide the opportunity for students to explore actual water and wastewater treatment processes in an authentic setting. |
|---|---|
| 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): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Length should not exceed 10 pages. |
Assessment task 3: Online Quiz
| Intent: | To review the topics covered and assess students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject. |
|---|---|
| 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): B.1 and C.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
There is no prescribed textbook. Individual lecturers may provide class notes.
Recommended texts
• Mihelcic, J. R. and Zimmerman, J. B. (2010) Environmental Engineering: Fundamentals, Sustainability, Design, John Willey & Sons, Inc.
• Mackenzie, L. D. and David, A. C. (2008) Introduction to Environmental Engineering, 4th Edition, Mc Graw Hill, New York.
• Salvato, J. A., Nemerow, N, Agardy, F. (2003) Environmental Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
• Kiely, G. (1997) Environmental Engineering, McGraw-Hill, New York.
• Henry, J.G. and Heinke, G.W. (1989) Environmental Engineering, Prentice-Hall International Editions, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
References
UTS Library is a rich source of books on environmental engineering and sanitation engineering. Some of the following are recommended.
- Salvato, J. A., Nemerow, N, Agardy, F. (2003) Environmental Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, New York.
- Kiely, G. (1997) Environmental Engineering, McGraw-Hill, New York.
- Davis, M.L., and Cornell, D.A. (1991) Introduction to Environmental Engineering, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York.
- Henry, J.G. and Heinke, G.W. (1989) Environmental Engineering, Prentice-Hall International Editions, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.