48350 Environmental and Sanitation Engineering
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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 2025 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
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. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Reinforce the implications of certain processes such as construction within a natural system. (B.1) |
| 3. | Demonstrate familiarity with both preventive and management strategies to combat water, soil, air and noise pollution. (D.1) |
| 4. | Identify concepts of water pollution control mechanisms and their impact on design. (C.1) |
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)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
Teaching and learning strategies
Student learning is facilitated in this subject through face-to-face sessions, laboratory sessions and practical sessions.
Students are required to engage with learning material and questions that will be made available in Canvas before each class. They will also complete tutorial questions during class time for self-assessment and evaluation, based on solutions that will be posted in Canvas after class. Feedback on the solutions will be delivered during class time and students can also receive individualised feedback by making an appointment with teaching staff.
Each workshop is an active learning session that will deliver subject content and involve questions and discussions. Students are expected to engage with the learning materials and tutorial questions posted on Canvas before attending each face-to-face class session. Teaching staff will facilitate discussion and provide feedback in these sessions. The laboratory sessions in this subject involve group collaboration to complete tasks, discuss and problem solve.
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
- Knowledge of geographic information system (GIS) and its applications for pollution control
- Concepts of water pollution and its control
- Design of water and wastewater treatment works
- Project case studies emphasising environmental issues
Assessment
Assessment task 1: 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, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| 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. |
|---|---|
| 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, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Length should not exceed 10 pages. |
Assessment task 3: 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, C.1 and D.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
The 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.