Aims

To equip civil engineers of the future with appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the key unit concepts and processes of water treatment.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module provides an overview of contemporary global challenges in the provision of water and wastewater. It will teach the basic scientific principles and the engineering designs for different unit processes to achieve drinking water and wastewater effluent standards . The module will illustrate water treatment principles and students will complete engineering designs and calculations, a laboratory practical and case studies.

The treatment of water and wastewater relies on biological and physicochemical unit processes to remove pathogens, nutrients, biological oxygen demand or pollutants from water. To meet drinking water quality and wastewater effluent standards engineers need to be able to properly design treatment processes based on their understanding of the underlying scientific principles. This module will provide an overview of the unit processes used in water and wastewater treatment and will exemplify the detailed design for one unit process. Students will learn to appreciate how the emerging challenges of climate change and sustainability impact these existing unit processes and what changes will be needed in the future.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Learning outcomes will be achieved by introducing knowledge and theory in lectures and by exercising the
relevant skills in practicals and design tutorials. Design workshops will simultaneously review the taught content of some lectures and develop the key intellectual or communication skills. The group learning exercises will train independent learning, design and teamwork skills. The student’s knowledge of the subject area will be assessed in the canvas tests and the group presentation. 

Students should consult their individual timetable for up-to-date delivery information.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The canvas tests will test the subject knowledge and numeracy of the students, meeting the intended knowledge outcomes 1, 2 and 3 (C1,C2,C13) and skills outcome 2, (C3). The presentation will additionally assess team-working, critical evaluation of the literature and presentational skills meeting the intended knowledge outcome 4, (C4, C7), and the skills outcome 1 (C17).

In line with the requirements of the accrediting body students are expected to develop a professional attitude. To meet this skills outcome, participation will be required in core elements of this module.