CEME 1001 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

This subject provides an introductory overview to different aspects of Environmental Engineering. The interconnectedness of the environmental system is emphasized, including concepts of sustainability, resilience, pollution (air, water, noise and solid waste), community engagement, and legislative and regulatory requirements. Students will be required to document the causes and impacts of a historical environmental disaster, engage in a community debate on a controversial development proposal, and write an environmental impact statement for a large infrastructure project (e.g. mine site, new hospital).

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CEME 1001
    Course Introduction to Environmental Engineering
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Course Description This subject provides an introductory overview to different aspects of Environmental Engineering. The interconnectedness of the environmental system is emphasized, including concepts of sustainability, resilience, pollution (air, water, noise and solid waste), community engagement, and legislative and regulatory requirements. Students will be required to document the causes and impacts of a historical environmental disaster, engage in a community debate on a controversial development proposal, and write an environmental impact statement for a large infrastructure project (e.g. mine site, new hospital).
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Seth Westra

    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 Articulate the role and competencies of an environmental engineer
    2 Implement a systems approaches to environmental problems, and explain how the earth functions as an integrated system
    3 Articulate the causes and impacts of an environmental disaster, and implement a systems approach to identify potential mitigating measures
    4 Recognise, explain and discuss the concepts of resilience and sustainable development
    5 Articulate a position on an environmental issue from a diverse set of stakeholder viewpoints
    6 Recognise, explain and discuss the requirements of environmental impact assessments, and be able to write an environmental impact statement for a case study
    7 Recognise, explain, discuss, apply and critically analyse environmental impacts related to air pollution, water pollution, changed flow regimes, noise pollution and waste, as well as potential mitigation options
    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: 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 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)
    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
    1,2,4
    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
    2,4,5
    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
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    All necessary course material will be made available on MyUni. Several assignments will require further research, and students should
    make use of the University of Adelaide library and resources (e.g. databases) therein.
    Online Learning
    Particular in light of continuing challenges associated with COVID-19 in 2021, this course will make extensive use of digital technology. All course material will be made available through the MyUni portal, including pre-recorded lectures, quizes and assignments, and other relevant material. Moveover, this system will be used for all important course announcements.

    Weekly workshops form a core element of the learning experience, and will be organised as face-to-face experiences for those who are able to attend in person. A digital version will be made available for those who are not able to attend.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be delivered through mulitple modes and activites. All information and resources will be available through MyUni.


    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary
    The course will involve a recorded online lecture each week, combined with a two-hour "workshop" session that will comprise a mix of interactive class discussions, small group discussions, presentations, debates and related activities. Participation in these workshops is mandatory and will be assessed, and in 2021 both the face-to-face and online version of these workshops will be organised, and you only need to attend one of them.

    In addition to these activities, you'll be expected to do online activities including viewing modules and pre-reading; all relevant online material will be made available via 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
    Date Learning Outcome
    Weekly online quiz 1% each (10% in total) Individual

    Formative

    Weekly (see dates on MyUni) 1,2,3,5,6
    Workshop participation 1% each (10% in total) Individual Formative Weekly (see dates on MyUni) 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Assignment 1: 'The Anatomy of an Environmental Disaster' 20% Group Summative Week 3/4 2
    Assignment 2: 'South Australian nuclear fuel cycle' 20% Individual Summative Week 5/6 4
    Assignment 3: 'Green Steel' or equivalent 40% Group Summative Week 13 5
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni



    Assessment Detail
    Details of all assessments will be available through MyUni
    Submission
    All submissions will be electronic, through MyUni.
    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.

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