Environmental Systems and Processes (260-0-20)
Topic
Fundam of Environmental Eng
Instructors
George Wells
847/491-8794
Tech Building A318
Office Hours: Wednesday 3-5PM
Meeting Info
North Garage Padula Room 1430: Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM
Overview of class
The objectives of the course are to provide an overview of environmental systems and to
develop the ability to quantitatively analyze important physical, chemical, and microbiological
processes in natural and engineered systems.
TOPICS /
Material and Energy Balances; Environmental Chemistry; Mathematics of Growth; Reactors; Water Pollution; Water Quality Control and Treatment; Solid Waste; Risk Assessment; Air Pollution; Air Treatment; Global Atmospheric Change
Registration Requirements
Pre-Req: CHEM 101 and MATH 224 (taken concurrently).
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand the important physical, chemical, and biological processes that regulate the
dynamics of aquatic systems, the atmosphere, the land surface, and groundwater aquifers.
2. Identify major contaminants of concern to human health and ecological health.
3. Identify environmental resources necessary for modern society and evaluate constraints on
sustainable development, such as ensuring ongoing access to sufficient high-quality water
supplies and avoiding long-term degradation of aquatic ecosystems.
4. Identify primary sources of drinking water, and key microbiological and chemical parameters
that determine the suitability of water for drinking.
5. Understand the regulatory framework for water and air quality.
6. Summarize the major strategies used to remove contaminants from water and air, and how
those strategies have been implemented in treatment infrastructure.
7. Formulate steady-state and non-steady-state mass balances for conservative and
nonconservative substances in natural systems and constructed systems.
8. Use mass balance models in basic engineering design calculations for treatment systems.
9. Perform basic estimations of health risks associated with natural environmental hazards and
regulated contaminant limits.
The course supports the following ABET program outcome criteria for student capability at the
completion of their engineering degree:
(O1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying
principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
(O4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations
and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in
global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
(O6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret
data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
Teaching Method
Two two-hour periods per week -- includes recitation. Plus a required laboratory.
Evaluation Method
Grading: Homework (8) 32%, Participation (5%), Laboratories (3) 18%, Midterm exam 20%,
Final exam 25%.
Class Materials (Required)
Environmental Engineering 2e, Student Value Edition / James Mihelcic / ISBN 978-1119604457 / 3rd edition / Wiley
Seth Darling and Douglas Sisterson, How to Change Minds About Our Changing Climate ISBN: 13-1615192236
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Corequisite: MATH 220-2
Associated Classes
LAB - Technological Institute F281: Mon 2:00PM - 3:50PM
LAB - Technological Institute F281: Mon 4:00PM - 5:50PM