Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Competency in maths and chemistry above GCSE level (through undergraduate or work-based training/experience if not at AS or A-level).

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to introduce the principles and practice of surface water and groundwater pollution control engineering. The module will demonstrate the range of possible contaminants that may require treatment in engineered systems. The fundamental physical, chemical and biological mechanisms that aid removal of pollutants from surface and groundwaters will be demonstrated in lectures and practicals, as will the range of treatment options available for different types of pollutant. Design practice for different types of treatment systems will be introduced, and the importance of emerging issues in the subject area will be highlighted.

Outline Of Syllabus

Sources and types of surface water groundwater contamination
Principles of Surface water and Groundwater Movement
Calculating surface water and groundwater transit times
Principles of freshwater pollution remediation
Identifying, characterising and quantifying pollution
Chemical and biological processes in treatment systems
Agricultural diffuse pollution: Characteristics, treatment system types and design practice
Mining pollution: Characteristics, treatment system types and design practice
Petroleum / organic pollution: Characteristics, treatment system types and design practice
Emerging challenges in the design and implementation of surface water and groundwater pollution treatment systems

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will understand:

•       The manner in which pollutants move within groundwaters and surface waters
•       The requirements for collecting data suitable for the design of a water treatment system for a polluted freshwater
•       The fundamental physical, chemical and biological mechanisms that remove pollutants in treatment systems
•       The different types of treatment systems used for different types of pollutants
•       The approach to designing treatment systems for polluted groundwaters and surface waters
•       Some of the key emerging issues that engineers of the future will have to tackle with respect to pollution control engineering

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

•       Describe the way in which surface water and groundwater pollutants move, and calculate their transit times
•       Design a monitoring programme suitable for collecting data for treatment system design
•       Apply fundamental chemical and biological principles to begin to determine how a particular pollutant could be removed from a freshwater
•       Decide what type of treatment system is appropriate for a particular type of pollutant
•       Make basic calculations of treatment system sizes
•       Describe some of the emerging issues in the field of pollution control engineering

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The use of teaching periods of 1.5 hours allows the teaching of basic knowledge, and the development and consolidation of detailed technical understanding through classroom based small group teaching activities within each teaching period. Specialist knowledge and understanding is taught and developed through problem solving exercises. Application of knowledge and skills is demonstrated through a field based exercise.

Students are encouraged and expected to learn through reflection and independent reading. They are supported in this by the provision of an extensive, but prioritised, reading list. Observations and discussions during the teaching sessions aid development of understanding whilst a short test on completion of the module (ten-minute test) enables students to monitor the progress of their learning.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The specialist knowledge and understanding imparted during this module are assessed by means of unseen
written examination and a single coursework item.

The examination paper employs a range of approaches in order to accurately assess student abilities. These include multi-part questions aimed at testing basic knowledge, calculation methods, data interpretation, and practical application.

The coursework is designed to develop understanding and skills taught during the module through a written report involving assessment of a groundwater pollution problem and/or it's remediation.

General Notes

N/A