Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1.To introduce the fundamentals of air pollution with a background on historical perspective on air pollution and a commentary on current air quality policies and standards;
2.To discuss major pollutants, their sources and their effects (environmental, economic and health);
3.To introduce the methods to estimate air pollution emission from road transport and industrial sources;
4.To introduce the theory of dispersion of air pollution in the atmosphere. To discuss the major approaches for air pollution modelling;
5.To demonstrate the features and the use of most widely used commercial and freely available air quality models;
6.To introduce the issues of indoor air pollution and personal exposure to air pollution; and
7.To demonstrate the methods of estimating disease burden or health impacts of air pollution.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       History of air pollution
2.       Current policies, standards and objectives
3.       Sources of air pollution
4.       Effects of major air pollutants
5.       Monitoring of emissions and air pollutants in ambient air
6.       Modelling and control of emission from road transport
7.       Modelling and control of emission from industrial sources
8.       Chemistry and dispersion of air pollution in atmosphere
9.       Air pollution modelling approaches
10.       Commercial air quality models (ADMS, USEPA models)
11.       Indoor air pollution
12.       Personal exposure to air pollution

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1.A basic understanding of the fundamentals of air pollution with a background on historical perspective on air pollution and current air quality policies and standards.
2.Knowledge of major air pollutants; their sources and their effects (environmental, economic and health) and how emissions are estimated from road traffic and industrial sources
3.Insight into the dispersion of air pollution in the atmosphere.
4.Knowledge and first-hand experience of using some of the most widely used commercial and freely available air quality models.
5.Knowledge of analysing and presenting outputs of air quality models to a wide range of audience.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1.To be able to estimate emissions from industrial and road transport sources
2.To be able to estimate air pollution concentrations as a function of emission, meteorology, topography and the built environment for a combination of road and industrial sources.
3.To be able to estimate health impact of changes in air pollution.
4.To be able to evaluate various transport policy options in terms of their impacts on emission, air quality and health
5.To be able to disseminate emission and air quality results to a wider audience.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Learning outcomes will be achieved by introducing knowledge and theory in lectures and by exercising the relevant skills in practicals. Practicals will simultaneously review the taught content of the lectures and develop the key intellectual, practical or communication skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written examination will assess the knowledge, numeracy and problem solving skills. The individual report will also assess computer and literature literacy, practical, time planning and communication skills.

General Notes

N/A