Module Catalogue 2013/14

CEG8105 : Solid Waste Management

  • Offered for Year: 2013/14
  • Module Leader(s): Prof. David Graham
  • Owning School: Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
Pre Requisites
Pre Requisite Comment

Accepted on MSc course & Diploma or CPD or Stage 3 or 4 Undergraduate Programme

Co Requisites
Co Requisite Comment

-

Aims

This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of technical issues and the management of solid wastes. The course includes solid waste policy, both domestic and international, and then examines appropriate methods of storage, collection, transfer, treatment and disposal appropriate for industrialised and developing countries. The module also provides the opportunity to visit recycling facilities and disposal sites to better understand links between theory and practice.

Outline Of Syllabus

General background (waste, MFA, economics)
Sources, quantities and composition
Legislation, regulation and control
Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic Digestion of MSW
Composting
Incineration
Reuse and recycling
Recycling technologies
Waste management behaviour (people)
Industrial solid waste (audits, minimisation)
Waste composition and stabilisation behaviour
Landfill site design and management
Risk assessment of landfills
Pollution from landfills
Leachate fate, attenuation and treatment
Industrial waste strategies
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) strategies
Decision Support Systems (DSS) for MSW
Solid waste issues in emerging and developing countries

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1) To be able to understand the implications of the production, resource management and environmental impact of solid waste management.
2) To be able to understand components of solid waste management infrastructure systems to minimize the above effects.
3) To be aware of the significance of recycling, reuse and reclamation of solid wastes.
4) To be familiar with relationships between inappropriate waste management practices and impacts on water, soil and sediment quality.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1) To be able to fully appreciate the current practices available and implement the systems available in solid waste management.
2) To be able to carry out an assessment of the relationships between environmental guidelines, human activities and environmental quality of impacted soils and water.
3) To be able to integrate technical solid waste management options and imposed environmental legislation and guidance to develop legal and safe solutions.

Graduate Skills Framework

Graduate Skills Framework Applicable: Yes
  • Cognitive/Intellectual Skills
    • Data Synthesis : Assessed
    • Numeracy : Assessed
    • Literacy : Assessed
    • Information Literacy
      • Source Materials : Assessed
      • Synthesise And Present Materials : Assessed
      • Use Of Computer Applications : Present
  • Self Management
    • Planning and Organisation
      • Goal Setting And Action Planning : Present
      • Decision Making : Present
    • Personal Enterprise
      • Innovation And Creativity : Assessed
      • Initiative : Assessed
      • Independence : Present
      • Problem Solving : Present
      • Adaptability : Present
  • Interaction
    • Communication
      • Interpersonal : Present
      • Written Other : Assessed
  • Application
    • Commercial Acumen
      • Governance Awareness : Present
      • Financial Awareness : Present
    • Social Cultural Global Awareness : Assessed
    • Legal Awareness : Present

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion200:3010:00Revision for exam
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion115:0015:00Report
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:152:15Exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture221:0022:00Lectures
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical12:002:00Computer based
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork23:006:00Field trips to recycling and disposal sites
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study142:4542:45Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of material
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge and understanding are acquired primarily through the lecture classes, however students are expected to add to this by directed reading of technical journal papers, text books and the selective use of web sites. Several computer-based teaching activities and two field trips are included to provide practical context for lecture materials. A report is prepared to assess existing literature and promote critical thinking relative to environmental legislation.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1351A75Unseen written examination
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Report1M25Approx. 1000 word individual report.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written examination is considered to be the most appropriate and efficient method of assessment for all Knowledge and Skills Outcomes covered in this module. However, the students also will be assessed via a 1000 word report performed on an individual basis. The report task will be specifically designed to strengthening skill outcomes through application of approach throughout the course.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Note: The Module Catalogue now reflects module information relating to academic year 13/14. Please contact your School Office if you require module information for a previous academic year.

Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.