This module aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of different environmental systems and how they interact with each other; as well as practical skills to monitor and assess environmental quality. This is an introductory course where students will learn the basics of environmental engineering sciences and the methods to analyse and manage environmental problems. In this course, we focus on six different environmental systems – air pollution, renewable energy, contaminated land, waste management, water system and groundwater systems. Students will learn practical skills such as air quality sampling and visit environmental sites to learn how complex environmental problems are managed with a system approach. Through guest lectures from academics and industry, students will also know how theoretical knowledge can be applied in practice with case studies in particular environmental problems.
 Explain the sources and characteristics of key air pollutants
 Explain important aspects of pathogenicity and how they are transmitted through the air
 Perform basic indoor air quality sampling techniques
 Write a technical laboratory report
 Discuss energy supply issues, energy sources and technologies
 Discuss environmental management options for energy systems
 Perform a basic life cycle assessment for energy systems
 Discuss sources and management options for municipal and industrial solid waste
 Describe the characteristics of contaminated land, and contaminated land remediation technologies
 Explain the concept of risk assessment
 Discuss mechanisms and methods of phytoremediation
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Describe the characteristics of contaminated groundwater and remediation technologies
 Explain the hydrologic water cycle, water availability and sources
 Discuss water supply strategies and water treatment technologies
 Discuss how environmental pollutants impact on ecosystems
 Explain the causes and consequences of eutrophication
 Explain the causes and consequences of acidification of natural waters by acid rain
Explain concepts and applications of ecological engineering and ecosystem restoration
 Discuss how different environmental systems interact with each other
80% exam (2 hour), 20% coursework
 Boyle, G. (2004) Renewable energy, Oxford University Press.
 Boyle, G., Everett, B. and Ramage, J. (2003) Energy systems and sustainability, Oxford
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University Press.
 Colls, J. (2002) Air Pollution, Spon Press
 Masters, G.M. and Ela, W.P. (2007) Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science.
Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
McCutheon and Schnoor (2003) Phytoremediation, Wiley press
Mitsch and Jorgensen (2004) Ecological Engineering & Ecosystem Restoration. Wiley Press.
Nazaroff, W.W. and Alvarez-Cohen, L. (2001) Environmental Engineering Science, John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.
 Tebbutt, T. H. Y. (1998) Principles of water quality control, Butterworth Heinemann.
 Vaccari, Strom and Allerman (2006) Environmental Biology for Engineers and Scientists.
Wiley Press.