THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

CE 390M WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

FALL 1999

SYLLABUS

  • Course Objectives
  • Text
  • Outline
  • Schedule
  • Grading
  • Homework
  • Examinations
  • Office Hours
  • Students with Disabilities
  • Class Log - a daily record of material covered in class, documents distributed, homeworks due, etc.
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    UNIQUE NUMBER: 14065

    INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Neal E. Armstrong

    TIME: MW 4:00 - 5:30 pm and other times to be arranged.

    PLACE: ECJ 7.208

    OBJECTIVES: The overall objective of this course is to introduce the student to the principles of water quality management. Those principles rely on an understanding of the elements of water quality management and the laws and regulations governing that management. The elements of water quality management include: the generation of pollutants that reach natural systems and cause water quality problems; treatment for removal of those pollutants; analysis of fate, transport, and effect of those pollutants in the receiving water; development and application of water quality standards; and the regulation process by which desired water quality levels are maintained. The latter element is the focus of this course. Specifically, the course will include topics relating to the: framework for water quality management; methods of water quality management; legislation and regulations; determination of uses; development of water quality criteria and standards and effluent limits; regulatory agency operation; social and economic aspects; and case studies. It is especially desired that the students in this class become sensitized to the social and political aspects of water quality management, for it is in this context that water quality management decisions are made in practice.

    PREREQUISITES: Graduate standing.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE BEFORE ENTERING THIS COURSE: Students should have a working knowledge of environmental quality problems.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES STUDENTS SHOULD GAIN FROM THIS COURSE: Students will learn the policy aspects of water quality problem solving.

    IMPACT OF SUBSEQUENT COURSES IN CURRICULUM: Knowledge gained in this course may be used in any of the water-oriented courses in the EWRE program.

    CRITERIA 2000 OUTCOMES ACHIEVED:

    Outcome

    		  

    Outcome

    		  

    a. An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

    x

    g. An ability to communicate effectively

    x

    b. An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

    		  

    h. The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global/societal context

    x

    c. An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

    x

    i. A recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in life-long learning

    x

    d. An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

    x

    j. A knowledge of contemporary issues

    x

    e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

    x

    k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

    x

    f. An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

    x

    l. A recognition of how critical innovative thinking is necessary for human health and the environment to be protect ed and enhanced within a framework of sustainability

    x

     

    PROGRAM CRITERIA OUTCOMES ACHIEVED:

    Criterion

    		  

    Criterion

    		  

    Criterion

    		  

    A. Math through differential equations

    		  

    G. Environmental engineering areas:

    		  

    G.6 Hazardous wastes

    		  

    B. Probability and statistics

    		  

    G.1 Water and water resources

    x

    G.7 Atmospheric systems

    		  

    C Calculus-based physics

    		  

    G.2 Environmental systems modeling

    x

    G.8 Air pollution control

    		  

    D. General chemistry

    		  

    G.3 Environmental chemistry

    x

    G.9 Environ. & occupational health

    		  

    E. Water or organic chemistry

    		  

    G.4 Wastewater

    		  

    G.10 Fluid mechanics and hydrology

    		  

    F. An earth science course

    		  

    G.5 Solid waste

    		  

    H. Professional practice

    x

     

    PROFESSIONALISM TOPICS:

    Development, implementation, and attainment of regulatory standards require those involved on both sides of the regulatory "fence" to operate with a high sense of ethics, so professional engineering codes of ethics will be discussed relative to water quality management.

    TOPICS:

    1. Methods for water quality management (3 classes) (e, f; H)

    2. Review of environmental legislation and requirements (6 classes) (f, h, I, j; H)

    3. Methods of implementation by and effectiveness of regulatory agencies (3 classes) (f, h, I, j; H)

    4. Water quality parameters, criteria, and standards (15 classes) (a, b, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l; G.1, G.2, G.3, H)

    5. Social and economic aspects (5 classes) (a, e, f, h; H)

    6. Water quality management and the engineer (5 classes) (f, g, h, i, j; H)

    7. Case studies (6 classes) (e, j; H)

    TEXT: Class notes and other reading materials used in this course will be distributed in class or be on reserve in the Engineering Library.

    CLASS FORMAT: The class format will vary throughout the semester and will include lecture, discussions, and collaborative learning with outside reading, homework, and exams.

    COMPUTER: Familiarity with a word processor and a spreadsheet is necessary for this class. Computer resources needed in the class will be distributed via email and/or will be available from this Web site.

    CLASS OUTLINE: See outline file.

    CLASS SCHEDULE: See schedule file.

    GRADING: Grades will be based on participation in class (25%), a 90-minute mid-term exam (25%), homework (25%), and the final exam (25%). The correspondence of letter grade to numerical grade is: A 90-100; B 80-89, C 70-79, D 60-69, and F <60. Any problems, personal or otherwise, affecting grades should be brought to the instructor's attention.

    HOMEWORK POLICY: There will a number of homework assignments during the semester, and a due date is provided with each. Homework is due on the due date by the end of the day; late homework is generally not accepted (unless substantial reason is provided for its being late). No grades will be dropped in computing the final homework grade average.

    EXAMINATIONS: There will be one 90-minute mid-term examination and the final examination. Each examination is open or closed book as announced, but equations and conversion factors, if appropriate, will be provided. Each examination will be given on the date and time indicated in the course schedule. Missed examinations may be made up if the reason for missing was illness or some other emergency.

    Examinations with solutions given in previous classes are available for inspection: Hour Quiz #1; Hour Quiz #2; Final Exam.

    OFFICE HOURS: To Be Arranged

    EVALUATION: The College forms will be used during the last week of class to evaluate the course and the instructor.

    STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The University of Texas at Austin provides, upon request, appropriate academic adjustments for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4241 TDD, or the College of Engineering Director of Students with Disabilities at 471-4321.