ENE1621 · Environmental engineering

Overview

Our environment is degrading rapidly and in complex ways. Environmental engineers aim to reduce society's impact on our environment by understanding how the aspects of the environment we interact with behave and how engineering solutions can help. In this unit, we will examine various perspectives on sustainability and their interactions with the general population. From this basis, we will then examine the water cycle, air pollution, waste, energy and climate change. A major difference between environmental engineering and most other fields of engineering is that we work at the intersection of a dynamic and complex natural environment and the complexities of society. Consequently, a broad range of quantitative numerical skills are required, but also strong independent critical thinking about the problems and the appropriateness of the methods and solutions. In this unit, these skills are developed through a range of mini-projects within each practical class and two on-campus field monitoring practical classes. Some practicals require analysis of environmental data and modelling of the environment while others focus on critically reflecting on and discussing conflicting views and solutions. What all of these practical classes have in common is that they tackle complex environmental problems with no straightforward answers. In working through these problems with the lecturers, you will have the opportunity to enhance your critical thinking and communication skills through hands-on quantitative and qualitative activities, which will provide long-term professional benefits.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% This unit contains threshold 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. Identify and discern the complexities of environmental issues related to water, waste, energy and climate change and their interaction with population factors and sustainability principles.
2. Conduct environmental monitoring to quantify environmental dynamics.
3. Analyse environmental observations (using Excel) to discern trends over time and the impacts of climate change.
4. Construct and apply simple environmental numerical models (in Excel) and use them to make predictions.
5. Discuss major environmental issues and solutions and communicate the findings orally and in professional 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 6-9 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.