411-110 Engineering and the Environmental Challenge

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

None for students gaining entry to the Engineering or Science Faculties. This unit is also available for Community Access Programmes

Corequisites

None

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to provide students with a firm grasp of how environment-related matters impinge on the activities of the engineer. This entails gaining a broad understanding of more important current problems in the fields of air pollution, water pollution and solid wastes as well as a more detailed understanding of the roles played by engineers in overcoming them. Also required is an enhanced understanding of the importance of interactions with other groups in society in arriving at appropriate engineering solutions to environment-related problems. Emphasis is placed on enhancing students' abilities to communicate, both in writing and verbally, and to work in teams. Topics covered include: the term "environment" and what it means; the engineer's role in dealing with environmental problems; the nature of sustainable development; the air environment and current problems such as greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances; aspects of water supply and wastewater treatment; solid wastes, their characteristics and the involvement of engineers in cleaner production, recycling, waste-to-energy schemes, collection and disposal; health, safety, hazard and risk; political and other non-technical pressures affecting engineers working on environment related problems; case studies.

Assessment

Three 2000 word assignments (60%) plus one examination not exceeding three-hours (40%)