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CE 341

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Summer 2013

SYLLABUS

UNIQUE NUMBER: 77285

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Lynn E. Katz

ECJ 8.6

Phone: 471-4244E-mail:lynnkatz@mail.utexas.edu

OFFICE HOURS: MTH 11:00-12:00, and by appt.

COURSE TIME: MWTH 12:00-2:30P

PLACE: ECJ 7.208

OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles of

environmental engineering. Topics include material balances,

environmental chemistry, risk assessment, air quality, waterquality, and wastewater treatment. Course Description from the

2010-2012 Catalog: Quantitative evaluation of the environmental,

economic, and technical problems involved in control of pollutantsof the air, water and land.

PREREQUISITES: CH 301 and 302, or consent of instructor.

COMPUTER: Proficiency with computers and familiarity with a spreadsheet

program like Excel is expected. Ability to use the Internet is also

expected.

TEXT: The required Text is Environmental Engineering:

Fundamentals, Sustainability, Design by James R. Mihelcic and

Julie Beth Zimmerman

ACADEMIC GOALS This course will introduce the student to the various areas withinenvironmental engineering and their associated principles. Topicsinclude mass balances, environmental chemistry, risk assessment, airquality, water quality, drinking water treatment, and wastewatertreatment. By the end of the course, you will be able to do the

following major tasks (a more detail outline of goals is provided at the

end of this document):

mailto:lynnkatz@mail.utexas.edumailto:lynnkatz@mail.utexas.edumailto:lynnkatz@mail.utexas.edumailto:lynnkatz@mail.utexas.edu

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1. Write and solve mass balances in the appropriate units.2. Balance chemical reactions; write and solve the associated chemical equilibria and rate

law expressions.

3. Mathematically describe the mass transfer and partitioning of contaminants between

phases.

4. Quantify health risks for exposure to a contaminant.

5. Identify sources of aqueous pollution and indoor and outdoor air pollution; calculatepollutant concentrations within natural and engineered environments.

6. Describe a typical treatment train in a drinking water or wastewater treatment plant.

CLASS FORMAT: Lectures supplemented with outside reading, homework, and

exams.

CLASS OUTLINE: See attached.

GRADING: Exams (3) 75%

Homework 12.5%Participation, Paper, Presentation 12.5%

Any problems, personal or otherwise, affecting grades should be

brought to the instructor's attention. We will use +/- grading.

HOMEWORK POLICY: There will be a number of homework assignments during the

semester. On most assignments and unless otherwise stated you

may work in groups. However, each student must turn in their ownassignment. Using homework or homework solutions fromprevious semesters is not allowed.

Homework will be graded using the following scale and the grader

will subtract 1 point for a problem that is sloppy or has a lack ofsystematic presentation.

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Points Description5 Correct solution, both methodologically and numerically; carefully presented, easy

to follow.4 Correct methodologically, but with minor computational or table look-up errors,

leading to erroneous final result.3 Some conceptual error(s) but correct general approach.2 Major conceptual errors.1 Completely missed the point of the problem but made some attempt at a solution.0 Did not attempt problem.

EXAMINATIONS: There will be 3- 90 minute exams. Each examination will beclosed book and will be given in class on the date indicated. Theexams will cover lecture material and assigned reading material. A

class crib sheet will be prepared prior to the exam and distributed

prior to the exam. Missed examinations may be made up only if thereason for missing was illness or some other emergency. The last

exam will take place during finals. While this exam will focus on

the material presented in the final third of the class it is in somesense cumulative because we will be applying the fundamental

principles developed in the first two thirds of the course to more

advanced topics presented at the end of the semester.

COURSE EVALUATION An evaluation of the course and instructor will be conducted at the

end of the semester using the approved UT Course/Instructor

evaluation forms.

DISHONESTY Be honest. Academic dishonesty includes the following: lying,

copying another persons homework or using old

homework/solutions, cheating on exams, allowing another personto copy your homework or exam (i.e., complicity in academic

dishonesty), and plagiarism. If you are caught in an act of academic

dishonesty, you will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment or

exam. Students who violate University rules on scholasticdishonesty are subject to additional disciplinary penalties,

including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal

from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual,other students, and the integrity of the University, policies on

scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further

information, visit the Student Judicial Services website onacademic integrity:

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http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php.

ATTENDANCE Show up to class on time. Regular, on-time class attendance is

expected in accordance with the University's General Information

catalog and the Cockrell School of Engineering policy (see thesection on Attendance in the Undergraduate Catalog). Theprofessor will not repeat material for students who miss class

without a valid reason. Attendance will be taken into consideration

for the professional evaluation grade. Occasionally, a student maybe able to earn extra points during classroom activities; these extra

points will not be available to students who miss class without

informing the professor of the valid reason for their absence

BEFORE class.

PRIVACY ISSUES Web-based, password-protected class sites are associated with all

academic courses taught at the University. Syllabi, handouts,assignments, and other information may be available at these sites.

Site activities may include exchanging e-mail, engaging in class

discussions, and exchanging files. In addition, electronic class

rosters will be a component of the sites. Students who do not wanttheir names included in these electronic class rosters must restrict

their directory information in the Office of the Registrar, Student

Academic Records window, Main Building, Room 1. Forinformation on restricting directory information, see the Course

Schedule or General Information Catalog at:

http://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi10-11/.

DISABLED STUDENTS The University of Texas at Austin provides, upon request,

appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students withdisabilities. For more information, contact the Division of Diversity

and Community Engagement, Services for Students with

Disabilities, 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone) orhttp://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd.

IMPORTANT DATES From the 1st through the 4th class day, an undergraduate student

can drop a course via the web and receive a refund, if eligible.From the 5th through the universitys academic drop deadline, a

student may Q drop a course with approval from the Dean, and

departmental advisor.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS By UT-Austin policy, a student who misses classes or other

required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a

religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of

http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.phphttp://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.phphttp://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi10-11/http://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi10-11/http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssdhttp://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssdhttp://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssdhttp://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi10-11/http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acint_student.php

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the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to

complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence.

SCHEDULE

Event Date

Exam 1(1)

Exam 2(1)

Final Exam

July 25Aug 7

Monday, August 19, 9:00Noon

Exams will take place on the days noted unless otherwise announced by the instructor in

class.

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Course Topics

LECTURE # DATE TOPIC HOMEWORK

1 7/15/13 1-Intro and Units Hmk 1 assigned

2 7/17/13 2-Mass Balance I Hmk 2 assigned3 7/18/13 3-Mass Balance II Hmk 1 due

4 7/22/13 4-Mass Balance III Hmk 2 due and ReviewQuestions assignedTopic Selection Due

5 7/24/13 Exam Review and

5-Environ Chem I

Review Questions Due

6 7/25/13 Exam and Exam 1 (through Mass

Balance III)HW 3 assigned

7 7/29/13 5-Environ Chem I Hmk 3 dueHmk 4 assigned

8 7/31/13 6-Environ Chem II7 -Environmental

Microbiology

Hmk 4 due

9 8/1/13 8-Risk Assessment Review Questionsassigned due

10 8/5/13 Exam Review and 9-Water Quality I

Outline DueReview Questions due

Hnk 5 Assigned

11 8/7/13 Exam

12 8/8/13 10-Water Quality II Hmk 5 due Hmk 6assigned

13 8/12/13 11-Drinking WaterTrmt and Wastewater

Hmk 6 dueReview Questionsassigned

14 8/14/13 12-Air Pollution Major Highlight Due

15 8/15/13 Class PresentationsReview

Slides due 8/8/12Paper Due 8/11/12

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CE 341

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Units/Mass Balances

1. Understand the concepts of mass, moles, concentrations, and mass and molar flowrates.

2. Understand the types of units that are used to characterize those concepts listed inItem (1).

3. Know how to use and convert between units of measurement for gas and liquidsystems.

4. Be able to perform a mass balance on a plug flow system, a CSTR and a systemconsisting of two or more reactors in series.

5. Be able to determine which type of system (e.g., plug flow or a CSTR) bestrepresents a natural system such as a lake or river.6. Be able to incorporate a zero, first order, or second order reaction term into themass balance.

7. Understand the meaning of steady state, accumulation, and conservative and non-conservative materials.

Environmental Chemistry

1. Know how to balance chemical reactions.2. Know how to determine the amount of product formed and/or reactants used

based on stoichiometry.

3. Be able to write equilibrium expressions for chemical reactions and to use theresults to calculate the equilibrium distribution of chemical species.

4. Be able compare and discuss the magnitude of the equilibrium constant.5. Understand the concept of pH and be able to calculate pH and use it to solve for

the distribution of products in acid/base reactions.

6. Be able to distinguish between equilibrium and kinetics.7. Be able to write rate law expressions from reactions, both elementary and non-

elementary reactions.

8. Be able to write rate law expressions (elementary and non-elementary).9. Be able to solve zero, first and second order rate law expressions.

Be able to incorporate rate laws into mass balance expressions and solve.

Environmental Microbiology

1. Be able to define key words including pathogen, indicator organism, virus,bacteria, protozoa.

2. Be able to identify the key microorganisms associated with waterborne disease.3. Be able to describe the methods for removing each type of pathogen from water.

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4. Be able to describe how each the concentration of each pathogen type ismeasured.

5. Be able to identify the key properties of an indicator organism.6. Be able to describe how microorganisms are regulated by EPA.Mass Transfer between Environmental Phases

1. Understand the concepts of equilibrium partitioning and mass transfer betweenphases, and be able to distinguish between the two concepts.

2. Understand the concept of aqueous solubility; what it means, where it isimportant, factors that affect it, and how it is used in environmental engineering

calculations.

3. Understand the concept of vapor pressure; what it means, where it is important,factors that affect it, and how it is used in environmental engineering calculations.

4. Understand the concept of Henrys Law; what it means, where it is important,factors that affect it, and how it is used in environmental engineering calculations.

5.

Understand the concept of octanol-water partition coefficient; what it means,where it is important, factors that affect it, and how it is used in environmental

engineering calculations.

6. Understand the concept of adsorption and be able to apply various adsorptionequations to quantify the mass of adsorbent required or the equilibriumconcentration that will be achieved under various scenarios

7. Understand the fundamental principles associated with cross-media mass transfer;relevant rate expressions, influencing factors, and applications.

Risk Assessment

1. Be able to quantify daily intake, carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic risk.2. Be able to interpret and explain the utility and limitations associated with

dose/response curves. Understand the meaning of terms such as NOAEL, LOAEL

BMDL and RfD.3. Be able to identify and quantify exposure pathways to be able to estimate risk

using mass balance approaches.

Natural Water Contaminant Transport

1. Be able to describe the different types of point source and non-point source waterpollution problems.

2. Be able to describe the various types of water quality contaminants found inwater.

3. Be able to describe the importance of oxygen in water and the impact of othernutrients.

4. Be able to explain oxygen demand in an aqueous system and how it is measured.5. Be able to calculate BOD5and ultimate BOD from laboratory data.6. Be able to calculate the steady-state oxygen transport in a stream.

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7. Understand the importance of, and be able to describe the types of particulatesthat occur in natural waters, how they are measured, and their impacts on water

quality.

Water and Wastewater

1. Be able to identify and describe various pollutants that are of concern in drinkingwater.

2. Be able to distinguish primary and secondary standards and MCLs and MCLGs.3. Be able to describe a typical flow train through a water treatment plant and the

objectives of various stages of treatment.

4. Be able to describe a typical flow train through a wastewater treatment plant andthe objectives of various stages of treatment.

Air Pollution

1. Understand how the Clean Air Act regulates air pollutants.2. Be able to identify the major sources and effects of the criteria air pollutants.3. Be able to determine whether a region is in compliance with a NAAQS standard.4. Be able to identify greenhouse gases and understand the theory behind the

greenhouse effect.

5. Be able to identify sources of indoor air pollution and to calculate theconcentration of pollutants in indoor environments from mass balances.

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CE 341

Class Project

Project Description

During this semester, each student will be given an opportunity to research a case study relevantto environmental engineering. The Enviro-Case study will consist of an in depth investigationof a current environmental issue of local, regional and/or global concern. The topic for this

semester will be the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing. Each investigation will vary

depending on the specific topic selected but will include the following elements: (1) a datagathering stage, (2) analysis and interpretation of the data including calculations (as appropriate),

(3) a 2-4 page short white paper summarizing your analysis and recommendations for future

actions and (4) a presentation of your Enviro-Case to the class that utilizes 2 slides of the most

interesting aspects of your paper. Several intermediate deadlines will include:

1. Topic Selection2.

Brief outline that is detailed enough for me to understand the flow of your paper3. A Major Highlight

4. White Paper5. Slides for Presentation

Avoid plagiarism: Your paper and slides must be written in your own words. Using someoneelses words directly, without quotation marks and a citation, is plagiarism. See ProfessorHillary Harts website on plagiarism for more information(http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/hart/333t/plagiarism.cfm); her website suggests that quotationmarks are needed if you take more than 5 words in a row from another source. Thus, avoidcutting and pasting fragments from various websites to patch together your presentation.The professor will not tolerate plagiarism in these presentations.

Grading criteria: Presentation should meet the following criteria.

Presentation e-mailed to the professor on the due datePresentation posted to blackboard on the due dateComplete and accurate contentNo plagiarized contentReferences provided and properly creditedEffective slidesAbility to answer questionsOverall oral communication quality (e.g., eye contact, speaking volume)

Paper should meet the following criteria.

Turned in on timePaper objectives clearly statedContent fulfills objective and is accurateEffective organizationNo plagiarized contentReferences are verified and from scientific literature (not Wikipedia)

http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/hart/333t/plagiarism.cfmhttp://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/hart/333t/plagiarism.cfmhttp://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/hart/333t/plagiarism.cfmhttp://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/hart/333t/plagiarism.cfm