CHE1010 · Grand challenges in chemical engineering: Delivering sustainable food, water and energy

Overview

Providing food, water and energy to the world's people in an environmentally sustainable manner is an engineering grand challenge that must be solved in a concerted manner. New scientific discovery and engineering processes are urgently needed, and chemical engineering must provide key solutions in all three areas. This unit will explore the core concepts and applications of sustainable chemical engineering through interesting case studies drawn from food, water and energy engineering presented by a mix of academic specialists and industry representatives in each area. The basic principles of the discipline will be introduced, including heat and material transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, (bio)chemical reactions engineering and process design/control. Chemical engineering concepts will be developed within workshops and practicals complemented with practical laboratory experience. There will also be an opportunity for activities where, within teams, you will design chemical engineering solutions to important issues or opportunities. This unit is aimed at all engineering students and may be of special interest to those attracted to environmental engineering, biological engineering, civil engineering (water specialisation) and chemical engineering.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 60% Final assessment: 40% This unit contains hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. describe key chemical engineering principles, such as heat and material transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, (bio)chemical reactions engineering and process design/control
2. identify unit operations within chemical engineering processes and select suitable equipment for an operation
3. investigate physical and chemical states of matter and delivery systems within industrial and practical lab settings
4. apply creative problem-solving approaches using chemical engineering principles to contemporary examples
5. engage and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives
6. demonstrate effective communication within a range of settings, including oral presentations and written reports.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-8 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.