48860 Pollution Control and Waste Management
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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 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48840 Water Supply and Wastewater Engineering OR 48350 Environmental and Sanitation Engineering
Description
The main objective of this subject is to provide the opportunity to understand the practice of pollution control and waste management in modern society. This subject focuses on tackling the problems of solid and hazardous waste minimisation, generation, treatment and disposal. Topics include solid waste characterisation, generation and composition analysis, development of optimum collection routing networks, transfer stations, design, operation and maintenance of sanitary landfills, and related social and environmental issues; hazardous waste generation, regulatory process, process information, toxicology, design of treatment and stabilisation methodologies, methods of disposal and related environmental issues, community perspective and education; soil contamination, chemical, biological and thermal remediation methodologies, site characterisation, planning, monitoring, containment and case studies. The subject also develops an understanding of emerging pollutants control technologies, as well as better process design to mitigate the pollution problems both in the community and industries. Other topics include: practice of control of the generation of specific pollutants from the projects such as wastewater treatment works and waste management disposal sites.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply the principles of waste minimisation, source reduction, material use and recovery in the design of solid and hazardous waste management systems. (C.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Develop technical knowledge and apply design skills related to solid waste generation, collection and disposal. (B.1) |
| 3. | Develop technical knowledge and design skills related to hazardous waste treatment and management. (D.1) |
| 4. | Assess pollution problems caused by emerging pollutants and apply control approaches needed through solving real problem in civil and environmental engineering practice. (F.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)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.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.
- 1.6. 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.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject student learning is coordinated and facilitated through face-to-face and/or online sessions in three block sessions of one and a half days each. Students are required to participate in group activities organised in the class room and to undertake self-learning.
There will be preparatory reading material and web links posted online, and students are expected to undertake research on different topics, and bring this material to class to enable them to contribute to group activities.
Students are required to keep abreast of information on Canvas for material that needs to be read, researched and analysed prior to attending face-to-face sessions.
Class time will be used for group learning that will include problem solving and discussion. Students are expected to attempt the tutorial questions before attending the classes. You will need to make every effort to learn by asking appropriate questions during face-to-face and/or online sessions or learn from each other.
The face-to-face and/or online sessions will also be used to provide feedback to students about their learning.
All students are required to undertake major project in a group, and participate in sharing the knowledge you learnt through peer assessment and class discussion.
NOTE: At UTS, an average student aiming to pass the subject is expected to commit approximately 150 hours of study for a 6 credit point subject.
You are required to bring the knowledge of ‘water and wastewater characteristics and treatment techniques’ which you have learnt in ‘48350 Environmental and Sanitation Engineering’ to learning in some sections in this subject.
Content (topics)
The subject content is designed to meet the objectives of the subject as well as the overall course aims. The main topics which will be covered in this subject are given below:
- Solid waste characterisation, generation and composition analysis
- Waste minimisation principles
- Development of optimum collection routing
- Types of waste disposal methods; Social and environmental issues related to waste disposal
- Design, operation and maintenance of sanitary landfills
- Hazardous waste general classification, generation and process information
- Toxicology and risk management
- Collection, storage and transport of toxic waste
- Design of hazardous waste treatment and stabilisation methodologies
- Methods of disposal and soil remediation.
- Introduction to pollution control caused by emerging pollutants
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Discussion Papers
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students study research topics related to solid waste management, landfill design and hazardous waste management, and apply this knowledge to explain current situations of pollution control and waste management used in professional practice. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | No longer than 4 pages for each discussion paper including the reference list |
Assessment task 2: Major Project
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students develop a waste management system for a chosen suburb or provide rational solutions for an emerging issue regarding waste proposal. |
|---|---|
| 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, D.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Group Report: no longer than 20 pages including reference list. Group Presentation: no longer than 15 minutes and 5 minutes for questions and answers. |
Assessment task 3: Quiz
| Intent: | In this assessment task, students will demonstrate their knowledge in the application of theoretical and practical aspects relating to solid waste, landfill and hazardous waste. |
|---|---|
| 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, D.1 and F.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 set textbook for this subject; however, the following two books will help with your readings to some extent:
Williams, P.T., 2005. Waste Treatment and Disposal, 2nd ed. Wiley: Chichester.
Tchobanoglous, G., et al., 1992. Integrated Solid Waste Management, McGraw-Hill, NY
References
A set of notes, put together from different texts, will be made available for you to purchase from UTS Union bookshop. Please check Canvas for announcements about this. You are required to check Canvas regularly to ensure you are up-to-date with your reading and research material. A copy of the readings can also be available from the Library.
Copies of some past examination papers can be obtained from the library.
Attempts will be made to update the reference list below; however, students should search and access most recent publications. The following is a list of some books in the UTS Library that are useful (some of the Library call numbers may have changed; it is students' responsibility to check with Library for recent information):
Chandrappa, R., Das, D.B. & SpringerLink 2012, Solid waste management, Springer, Berlin; New York.
Christensen, T.H. & ebrary, I. 2011, Solid waste technology & management, Wiley, Chichester, West Sussex, U.K.
Davis, M.L and Masten, S, 2007. Principles of Environmental Engineering and Science, 2nd edn., McGraw-Hill, New York.
Ghassemi, A. 2002, Handbook of pollution control and waste minimization, vol. 8, Marcel Dekker, New York.
Hung, Y., Shammas, N.K. & Wang, L.K. 2014, Handbook of environment and waste management, World Scientific, New Jersey.
LaGrega, et al., 2001. Hazardous Waste Management, (2nd edn.) McGraw-Hill, NY. UTS
Nathanson, J.A. & Schneider, R.A. 2015, Basic environmental technology :water supply, waste management, and pollution control, Sixth edn, Pearson, Boston.
Pichtel, J., 2005. Waste Management Practices: municipal, hazardous, and industrial. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis/CRC Press.
Rav, S.B. & Unnisa, S.A. 2013, Sustainable solid waste management, Apple Academic Press, Oakville, Ont.
Rogoff, M.J. 2014, Solid waste recycling and processing :planning of solid waste recycling facilities and programs, 2 edn, William Andrew, Norwich, New York.
Sharma, H.D. & Reddy, K.R. 2004, Geoenvironmental engineering :site remediation, waste containment, and emerging waste management technologies, John Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey.
Tchobanoglous, G., et al., 1992. Integrated Solid Waste Management, McGraw-Hill, NY
Williams, P.T., 2005. Waste treatment and Disposal. Chichester: Wiley: 2nd edn.
Worrell, W.A. & Vesilind, P.A. 2012, Solid waste engineering, 2 edn, Cengage Learning, Australia.
The UTS Library also has several electronic journals on waste and pollution management issues, including:
- Journal of Hazardous Materials
- Waste Management Journal of Materials Cycles and Waste
- Journal of Materials Cycles and Waste Management
- Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
- TOXLINE (a database)
- Austlii
www.austlii.edu.au
Commonwealth and State Legislation and regulations
Other resources
Important information such as time schedule, assessment guidelines, announcements, tutorials and some reading material will be placed on Canvas. If you know that you’ll miss a face-to-face session, arrange for a classmate to collect any handouts for you. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with subject administration. The email facility in Canvas will also be used to advise of any changes to time schedule. Please ensure you only use your UTS student email to communicate officially. Some on-line discussions may be enabled during the session.