Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this course is to equip students with a conceptual grasp of the fundamental elements of environmental systems and processes at a variety of scales in a rapidly changing world, using the natural and anthropogenic water cycle as a case study. The course aims to enable students to attend more detailed modules on hydrology, environmental engineering and sustainability within the context of a sound understanding of natural cycles and processes.

Students will also learn skills required for characterization, instrumentation and quantification of environmental systems in situations relevant to civil engineers with a focus on the water cycle. The course will relate to the digital theme of the civil engineering syllabus, addressing data acquisition technologies, informatics, and quantification methods to create environmental metrics.

Civil Engineering involves interventions in and interactions with environmental systems at a range of scales. This module will train students about hydrological and geochemical cycles and ecological processes that engineers comprehend, characterise and engineer. The module will start with an introduction of the Earth’s water cycle and will develop understanding of how human intervention has modified this cycle and the consequences for flooding risks, water quality and ecology. The course will then focus upon climate change pressures and the environmental cycles and spatial scales of most relevance to civil engineers. Thus, in the hydrological cycle you will be introduced to analysis of the quantity and quality of water as it moves through the climate system and through catchments including soil, hillslopes, groundwater, and rivers. You will learn how to measure and quantify components of the water balance, rainfall, evaporation and runoff in catchment systems. You will learn key concepts, methods and terminology in current use in Civil Engineering and Environmental Management. We will teach you how to instrument the environment, both spatially and temporally, and hence quantify key elements within the water cycle in both the lab and the field. These cycles are mediated by ecological processes at a variety of scales. You will get an engineer’s eye view of these processes at a macro and microscale and learn how key ecological considerations can be used in engineering design.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to the Sustainable Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 6, Safe Water and Sanitation
Health and Safety
Hydrological Cycle and Climate Change
Rainfall, Evaporation, Soil Water and Groundwater Rivers, Runoff, Floods SuDS and NBS Hydroecology
Water quality, ecological and public health considerations

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1.       On completing the module students should have gained knowledge and understanding of the essential facts, concepts, theories, principles, instrumentation, informatics and the quantification of particular processes governing Environmental Systems undergoing climate pressures, using the water cycle as a case study. (C1)

2.       The essential functioning and limits of the Earth systems. The hydrology cycle and water balance methods. How to instrument a catchment. Rainfall and evaporation in terms of moisture and energy terms, plus the concepts of return intervals. Hydro-metrological equipment and accuracy, Rainfall metrics, Soil, groundwater and runoff process. Measuring moisture fluxes. (C2)

3.       Basic river flow processes. Flow gauging, time series analysis and quantification. Hydro-ecological functioning (C1)

4.       Urban drainage systems and their impacts on river water quality and ecology. (C2)

5.       The wider multidisciplinary engineering context and practical approaches that civil engineers take to manage the earth and adapt to climate change. The requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainability. (C7)

6.       The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering and an awareness of the extent of human intervention in the Earth systems cycles and the consequences, now and in the future. (C8)

7.       The module will include a full case study in a local catchment of the Ouseburn, where field visits and fieldwork will occur, historical data will be analysed, and samples will be returned to the laboratory for biological and chemical analysis. (C12)

Intended Skill Outcomes

Apply appropriate theory, instrumentation to underpin quantitative science and engineering principles to:

1.       break down the hydrological cycle into its components –by applying the water balance equation measure and quantify rainfall, using return interval terminology, measure and estimate evaporation rates determine likely fate of water in soil and rock (C3)

2.       measure and estimate hillslope runoff flow, estimate baseflow and flow duration curves, estimate floods and how to manage them pathways, quantify. (C3)

3.       be able to test for faecal and nutrient contamination of water sources (C12)

4.       Solve engineering problems using equations (C1)

5.       Identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components using analytical methods and modelling techniques. (C2)

6.       6. Investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations. (C6)

7.       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. (C16, C18)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Introductory concepts to be taught through stimulating lectures that also contain solid engineering content including theoretical knowledge and basic calculations. Fieldwork, sampling and subsequent laboratory work is used to back up the concepts add local case study in pollution and flooding that must be written up.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Introductory concepts tested through examination of knowledge and basic calculations to be backed up by fieldwork, lab work and quantification methods using informatic tools that must be written up. The oral presentation tasks students with the integration of literature and field data and assesses their ability to effectively present and communicate their knowledge gained from the literature review and taught classes as well as team working and task management skills.

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.

Semester 1 Study Abroad students would be required to submit an essay. This environmental systems essay will require the student to call upon the course material, using examples and case studies. Students will be expected to compose coherent arguments about water and chemical cycling relevant to Civil Engineering. Diagrams, maps and pollution. The essay would be up to a 10-12 page Word document.

General Notes

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