Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering

Description

The Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering course is designed to introduce students to the essential principles and practices of environmental engineering and provide a comprehensive foundation in the key scientific, engineering, and regulatory aspects of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, students will:

1. Understand Environmental Systems: Students will gain a solid understanding of natural and engineered environmental systems, including air, water, and soil. They will explore how these systems interact and the impact of human activities on their health and sustainability.
2. Explore Water Quality and Treatment: Learn about water resources’ importance, water pollutants’ chemistry, and the fundamentals of water treatment processes. Students will study physical and chemical methods for removing contaminants from drinking water and wastewater.
3. Air Pollution Control: This course section explores the sources and effects of air pollution. It covers the principles of air quality management, the technologies used to control emissions, and the regulatory frameworks governing air pollution.
4. Waste Management: Examine solid and hazardous waste management practices, including waste minimization, recycling, composting, incineration, and landfilling. Students will learn about the design and operation of waste management systems and the environmental and public health risks associated with improper waste disposal.
5. Environmental Impact Assessment: Students will understand the processes and methodologies used to assess the environmental impacts of proposed projects. They will learn how to evaluate the potential effects on ecosystems, human health, and the built environment and explore strategies for mitigating negative impacts.
6. Sustainable Development: Explore the principles of sustainable development and how environmental engineers contribute to creating sustainable solutions. This includes an introduction to renewable energy technologies, green building practices, and sustainable urban planning.
7. Environmental Legislation and Policy: Students will learn about the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern environmental protection. They will also learn about key environmental laws, regulations, and standards at the local, national, and international levels and the role of environmental agencies and organizations.
8. Field and Laboratory Skills: Students will develop practical skills through hands-on laboratory experiments and fieldwork. They will learn to measure and analyze environmental parameters, interpret data, and apply engineering principles to solve real-world environmental problems.
9. Ethical and Social Responsibility: Students will reflect on the ethical and social responsibilities of environmental engineers. They will discuss case studies that highlight the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in this field and explore the role of engineers in promoting environmental justice and equity.
10. Innovative Solutions: Investigate cutting-edge technologies and approaches in environmental engineering. Students will explore innovations in environmental monitoring, pollution prevention, and resource recovery and consider how these advances can address emerging environmental challenges.