GV2EGNU-Environmental Engineering

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Hong Yang
Email: h.yang4@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to provide a broad understanding of environmental pollutants and the control technologies. It advances the students’ understanding of the essential science that underpins the control technologies for water, air and solid waste pollution. The students will acquire detailed knowledge of the various control treatment methods, in terms of working principles, design processes and application conditions.

Aims:

This module aims to develop students’ ability to apply a variety of scientific and engineering principles to the technological treatment of environmental pollution, including wastewater, exhaust gases and solid waste. Skills in critical thinking and problem solving around environmental issues will also be developed.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will:

1. Understand the essential chemistry and other scientific principles that underpin the basics of environmental engineering


2. Explain and discuss water pollution status and the main pollutants, the wastewater quality index and water quality standards.


3. Describe the main principles (physical, chemical and biological) of wastewater treatment, and the corresponding treatment technologies.


4. Explain and discuss air pollution status and the main particulate and gaseous air pollutants, the air quality index and air quality standards.


5. Describe the main principles and devices that explain and control particulate pollutants, the main gaseous emission control techniques, and dilution and diffusion of air pollutants.


6. Understand and describe solid waste pretreatment and treatment technologies, and the methods of ultimate disposal of solid wastes.

Additional outcomes:

It is expected that the students will be able to apply their study and learning skills, as well as their critical thinking skills, to related modules that focus on specific aspects of this module.

Outline content:

• Introduction to environmental engineering


• Foundation of environmental engineering principles


• Essential chemistry foundations in environmental engineering 1 – common physical quantity and thermodynamic chemistry


• Essential chemistry foundations in environmental engineering 2 – oxidation–reduction reactions and acid-base reactions


• Essential chemistry foundations in environmental engineering 3 – dissolution and precipitation reactions and gas phase laws


• Water and wastewater characteristics – status and water quality parameters


• Design of drinking water treatment systems 1 – coagulation and flocculation, air flotation


• Design of drinking water treatment systems 2 – filter and disinfection


• Design of wastewater treatment systems 1 – bar screens and grit chamber


• Design of wastewater treatment systems 2 – clarifier and secondary treatment


• Introduction to air quality and air pollution


• Air particulate pollutants control technology: principles and devices


• Air gaseous pollutants control technology: principles and devices


• Solid waste control technology: pretreatment technologies


• Solid wastes control technology: treatment technologies


• Disposal and utilization of solid wastes

Global context:

The knowledge and technologies are transferrable to environmental engineering needs worldwide.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module includes blended teaching and learning methods, involving pre-reading and critical thinking.  Lectures will be delivered using PowerPoint, short video clips related to topics covered in the class. Open-ended assignments will be discussed interactively, and supplemented with group work and task-based activities. Guided independent study provides time for reading as well as consolidating your notes, preparing your assignments, addressing feedback on formative and summative asses sments.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	38
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:	52
Total hours by term	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	40
Written assignment including essay	20
Oral assessment and presentation	15
Class test administered by School	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. In-class tests: 3 or 4 quizzes or short assignments (depending on students’ learning feedback). The question types mainly include short questions and reaction mechanism type questions.


2. Essay (1500 words): One essay will be set at the beginning of the semester. Students are encouraged to use books, online literature, journals and factual data. The report deadline will be explained at the start of the semester.


3. Group presentation: Different current environmental ‘hot’ topics will be given to each group, each comprising 2-3 students. The students will have two weeks to research valid information in preparation for a 15-minute presentation followed by 5-min Q & A.

Formative assessment methods:

In-class spot quizzes will enable feedback and feed-forward on strengths and weaknesses, and help the students to prepare their subsequent summative assessments.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in February

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022