Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
Introduction to the concepts, theories and techniques required to describe dynamic environmental systems and to develop mathematical models to explore their behaviour. Systems thinking and modelling approaches are applied to several important environmental systems and processes including:
- Chemical and biological transformations in water and air pollution applications
- Ecological models and population dynamics
- Global climate change
- Water balances in lakes and reservoirs
- Energy and mass transfer
Students will gain skills in the use of scientific and engineering techniques of mass and energy balances, microbial and population kinetics, thermodynamics, transport processes, chemical and biochemical reactions.
Students will develop the skills to formulate and write a model in an organised and systematic way. The course will also cover methods for verifying and validating a model.
Course requirements
Assumed background
1. Sound knowledge of the basic principles of mass and energy conservations.
2. Elementary mathematics for engineering such as algebraic and ordinary differential equations.
3. Basic computer skills and familiar with standard computing languages and software (e.g., Python).
4. Students should have completed the earlier undergraduate courses on fluid mechanics and environmental systems.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CIVL2131 or CHEE2003
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CIVL3150
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
At the beginning of the course, some tutorial sessions will be used for lectures. A notification will be sent to students prior to this.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the principles of dynamic system modelling applied to:
- engineered systems where a model can be validated with monitoringﾠdata; and
- open environmental systems where modelling is used to investigate and understand mechanisms that drive system behaviour.ﾠﾠﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Apply systems thinking to explore potential changes in environmental systems
LO2.
Identify the principles, mechanisms and processes underlying the behaviour of environmental systems.
LO3.
Use programming skills to develop dynamic models.
LO4.
Apply an organised stepwise approach to develop, verify, calibrate and validate a dynamic model.
LO5.
Apply models intelligently and interpret the physical meaning of simulation results.
LO6.
Formulate solutions to environmental problems based on results from a dynamic environmental model.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Modelling a laboratory experiment | 25% |
9/09/2024 4:00 pm |
| Project | Modelling an environmental system | 25% |
23/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Modelling a laboratory experiment
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
9/09/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
To develop, verify, calibrate and validate a model of a laboratory experiment to be performed in class.
The project brief will be given in week 2.
The model and report are to be prepared individually.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Report to be submitted using Turnitin on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Modelling an environmental system
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
23/10/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
To develop, verify, calibrate and validate a model of a monitored environmental system.
The project brief will be posted on Tuesday of Week 7.
The model and report are to be prepared individually.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Report to be submitted to Blackboard using Turnitin
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
Task description
The final exam will cover all topics.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
To receive an overall grade of 4 or more, a student must achieve at least 40% on the final exam.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten or typed notes, double sided, is permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Fails to demonstrate most or all of the basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate any relevant knowledge or understanding of the underlying concepts. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Fail: Falls short of satisfying all basic requirements for a Pass. Some knowledge of the subject is evident but the student only demonstrates a limited understanding of the underlying concepts. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and at least a partial understanding of the underlying concepts. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student demonstrates a sound knowledge of the relevant information and a sound understanding of the key concepts. Must be awarded a grade of 4 or higher on the final exam. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood. There is a demonstrated ability to solve previously unseen problems. There are only minor factual inaccuracies and there is little irrelevant information. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Key concepts are understood and can be used to solve previously unseen problems. There is evidence of critical analysis and an ability to synthesise information from different aspects of the subject. There are insignificant factual inaccuracies and there is limited irrelevant information. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
The primary learning resources will be provided on the Blackboard site.ﾠ
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture and worked examples Lectures providing concepts, theories and skills to describe and modelling environmental dynamic systems. |
Tutorial |
Tutorial Tutorial sessions will be used for the discussion of the lecture material, to answer questions from the problem sets, projects and general course Q&A. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: