C&ENVENG 2068 - Environmental Engineering & Sustainability II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

This course explores the relationship between engineering activities and the environment, using river systems as an example. The themes covered include the value of environmental systems, the modifications that have been made to environmental systems as a result of engineering activities, some of the negative impacts this has had, and continues to have, on our natural resources, as well as the role engineering plays in rehabilitating and managing these resources and ensuring the mistakes of the past will not be repeated by adopting sustainable planning and design practices. Specific topics might include: river modification and rehabilitation, water quality parameters, water quality modelling, fish passage, environmental flows, erosion control, social impact, sustainable design and environmental decision-making.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code C&ENVENG 2068
    Course Environmental Engineering & Sustainability II
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible C&ENVENG 2026
    Assumed Knowledge C&ENVENG 1008 & C&ENVENG 1009
    Course Description This course explores the relationship between engineering activities and the environment, using river systems as an example. The themes covered include the value of environmental systems, the modifications that have been made to environmental systems as a result of engineering activities, some of the negative impacts this has had, and continues to have, on our natural resources, as well as the role engineering plays in rehabilitating and managing these resources and ensuring the mistakes of the past will not be repeated by adopting sustainable planning and design practices. Specific topics might include: river modification and rehabilitation, water quality parameters, water quality modelling, fish passage, environmental flows, erosion control, social impact, sustainable design and environmental decision-making.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Bree Bennett

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Examine and explain the value of environmental systems; sustainable development; the complexity of environmental systems and the implications this has for decision-making in relation to engineering projects; and the impacts of modifications that have been made to environmental systems, including river regulation, river channelisation and changes to catchments;
    2 Identify various river management and rehabilitation options (e.g. provision of fish passage and environmental flows, erosion control and water quality improvement) and to be able to apply them judiciously; and become familiar with a number of water quality parameters and ecological health measures, including their impact and how they are measured;
    3 Design simple rock chutes for the stabilisation of river beds; and develop and apply basic dissolved oxygen models for rivers,
    4 Recognise and analyse engineering projects from multiple perspectives and interpret the effect of engineering projects on the environment and society;
    5 Apply an integrative or systems approach to solving engineering problems; demonstrate an awareness of uncertainty and recognising limitations of engineering approaches and systems; and apply computers and information technology effectively to solve engineering problems;
    6 Demonstrate competence in problem identification, formulation and solution; in critical and independent thinking; and in creative and innovative thinking;
    7 Demonstrate the ability to effectively synthesize information and ideas in order to conduct investigations and research into civil and environmental engineering problems;
    8 Demonstrate the ability to act in a professional manner; communicate effectively with others in the engineering profession and the community (written, oral and listening skills); work effectively as a member of a team; and manage effectively the allocation of time in performing tasks; and
    9 Recognise and discuss the social and environmental context of professional engineering practice.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.1   3.2   3.3   3.5   3.6   

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2,3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    5,6,7
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    4,9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Lecture notes will be will be available via MyUni and the image and copy centre.
    The course profile, lecture slides and online learning units will be available through MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    Online modules (slide handouts for the online learning units) and lecture slide handouts (modified versions of the slides used in lectures).
    Online Learning
    All required learning resources and course information will be made available on MyUni.

    Additional required course-related material is available through MyUni, including:
    • Online learning units (interactive online lectures)
    • Design project information and resources
    • Information on submissions and communication
    • Discussion board forums
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course consists of a set of integrated learning activities designed to provide you with the opportunity to achieve the course learning objectives in a supportive and motivating context.

     
    The centrepiece of the course is a Design Project. You will learn the fundamental principles/underlying the theory required to complete the project as part of a number of learning cycles consisting of a series of Online Modules, Online Quizzes and Lectures. The Online Modules and Quizzes provide you with a base level of knowledge that enables more in-depth material to be explored during Lectures.  The Design Project provides you with the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the material covered by applying it in a realistic context.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. Please note that University guidelines suggest that the average student should spend 48 hours per week to achieve a Credit.  Consequently, the total workload for this course is 12 hours per week (144 hours in total) for an average student to achieve a Credit.

    Activity Contact Hours Private Study Hours Total
    Lectures 14 0 14
    Online learning units 0 33 (3h per scheduled hour,
    allowing for quizzes, reading of lecture notes etc.)
    33
    Design (phase 1) 4 16 20
    Design (phase 2) 4 21 (per person – this is a group task) 25
    Design (phase 3) 4 22 (per person – this is a group task) 26
    Design (phase 4) 5 21 (per person – this is a group task) 26
    Total 31 113 144
    Learning Activities Summary
    A detailed outline of all of the learning activities, as well as their timing, is shown in the Course Profile, which is available from MyUni.


  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    Online Quizzes 10 Individual Summative Weeks 1-11 1. 2. 3. 4.
    Design Task - Phase 1 10 Individual Summative Week 5 1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    Design Task - Phase 2 10 Group Summative Week 7 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    Design Task - Phase 3 10 Group Summative Week 10 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
    Design Task - Phase 4 10 Group Summative Week 13 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
    Examination 50 Individual Summative Exam Period Min 40% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 9.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Groupwork :

    Design phases 2 to 4 will be undertaken in groups of three. Students will be permitted to choose their own group.

    This course includes peer assessment for the tasks undertaken within groups. Further detail of the peer assessment is contained on MyUni. To maintain the integrity of the assessment tasks there is a requirement that all students within a group contribute to each assessment task. Where there is evidence that group members have not sufficiently contributed to a group assessment task, the Academic Honesty policy may be applied.

    Course hurdles:

    In order to pass this course, students must obtain at least 40% for the exam.

    Where the exam hurdle is not met students will receive a course result of the lesser of their calculated grade and the nominal grade of 45, Fail. An additional assessment exam will be available to eligible students. Students should refer to the Modified arrangements for coursework assessment policy for eligibility criteria.

    Exemptions for prior work:

    Requests for exemption from coursework components will only be considered when presented on an Exemption from Attendance Form. All exemption requests must be made by the end of Week 3 of Semester. Exemptions will not be considered for exams or in-class quizzes.



    Assessment Detail

    Full details of each assessment task will be provided through MyUni.

    Quizzes embedded in Online Modules (formative):

    The Online Quizzes can be accessed from within the Online Modules, which are on the course MyUni site.  It should be noted that some quizzes contain numerical questions that will require the use of a calculator.

    - You can complete the quizzes as many times as you like
    - The quizzes are purely formative and are therefore not assessed
    - The quizzes are open book

    Online Quizzes (summative):

    The Online Quizzes can be accessed as part of the relevant online Learning Units on the course MyUni site. It should be noted that some quizzes contain numerical questions that will require the use of a calculator.

    How to answer the quiz questions is intuitive (e.g. multiple choice, true/false, rank in order, match statements, fill in the blanks).  However, please note that if you are asked to respond to a “Multiple Answer” question, any number of the answers provided can be correct (or incorrect) and you must indicate which of the answers you consider to be correct.

    - You can complete the quizzes as many times as you like
    - While the quizzes will remain available after their submission deadline, the mark at the time of the deadline will be counted towards assessment
    - The quizzes are open book
    - You must complete the quizzes individually, without the assistance of anybody else

    Project:

    The objective of the Project is to provide students with the opportunity to apply the course material in a realistic context in order to achieve higher-order learning outcomes.

    Details about the Project are given in a separate handout (available on MyUni) at the start of the course.


    Exam:

    - The duration of the exam is 120 minutes
    - The exam is closed book, however a detailed formula sheet is provided
    - The exam will contain a mixture of numerical and short answer questions







    Submission
    Details about the submission process for the Project are given in the Course Profile which is available on MyUni.

    The deadline for all submissions will be 4 pm on the nominated day. A penalty of 10% per 24 hours will apply for late submissions.

    Students eligible for special consideration (e.g. elite athletes) are requested to advise the course coordinator as early as possible where alternate arrangements will be required.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.