Course coordinator
Dr Denys Villa Gomez
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Civil Engineering School
Understanding the physical, chemical and biological processes that drive natural ecosystems is essential when designing the sustainable systems that will form the basis of our future societies and economies. This course provides students with foundation capacity in chemistry, biology, ecology and thermodynamics of environmental systems. The course specifically focuses on the engineering application of these foundation concepts rather than a more traditional science-based perspective. The course equips students to work on problems relating to (i) aquatic chemistry including phase equilibria (e.g., carbonate system), (ii) aerobic and anaerobic biological oxidation, reduction and assimilatory processes, (iii) chemical oxidation and reduction reactions (e.g. corrosion, batteries), (iv) the application of mass balances in environmental systems and environmental thermodynamics (e.g. heat transfer applications). This knowledge will provide students with a sound basis from which they can contribute to various environmental engineering projects in a professional setting.
This course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of physical, chemical, biological and ecological concepts that form the basis of solutions to environmental engineering problems in professional settings. The course introduces the biochemical cycles, thermodynamic principles and reaction kinetics used to describe and analyse environmental systems. The role of microorganisms in engineering applications such as waste and wastewater treatment are also addressed. Contemporary environmental engineering examples and exercises are provided to demonstrate the application of these concepts by environmental engineers in designing solutions to mitigate water, air and soil pollution as well as responding to climate change and other environmental impacts.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
High School Chemistry (or equivalent) and (MATH1051or MATH1071) and (MATH1052 or MATH1072) and (CIVL2135 or CHEE2501 or ENVE2501)
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Denys Villa Gomez
Ms Rosie Gillane
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to develop the capacity of students to apply knowledge of physical, chemical, biological and ecological features of environmental systems within an engineering framework to describe environmental systems as well as the skills required to analyse data and formulate design solutions to environmental problems.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Source, present, analyse and interpret data describing environmental variables.
LO2.
Describe the key ecological concepts and processes occurring in environmental systems to assess their state.
LO3.
Explain the key components of global biochemical cycles and describe their importance to engineering practice and sustainable development.
LO4.
Apply thermodynamic and engineering principles to calculate mass and energy changes in environmental systems.
LO5.
Use chemical concepts (e.g. stoichiometry, reaction kinetics, thermodynamic equilibrium) to design sustainable engineering solutions.
LO6.
Use biological concepts (e.g. microbial growth and kinetics, biochemistry) to design and implement sustainable engineering solutions.
LO7.
Apply environmental engineering concepts to design engineering solutions for the treatment of water, air and soil pollution and waste management.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Tutorial exercises | 30% |
5/03/2025 1:00 pm 14/03/2025 1:00 pm 19/03/2025 1:00 pm 26/03/2025 1:00 pm 2/04/2025 1:00 pm 16/04/2025 1:00 pm 30/04/2025 1:00 pm 7/05/2025 1:00 pm
Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 on the Wednesday before 1 pm following tutorial. |
| Quiz |
Quiz during tutorial session
|
18% |
14/04/2025 2:00 pm
week 8 |
| Examination |
Final exam
|
52% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
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
Tutorial exercises
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
5/03/2025 1:00 pm
14/03/2025 1:00 pm
19/03/2025 1:00 pm
26/03/2025 1:00 pm
2/04/2025 1:00 pm
16/04/2025 1:00 pm
30/04/2025 1:00 pm
7/05/2025 1:00 pm
Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 on the Wednesday before 1 pm following tutorial.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
A set of problems that covers course content addressed in that week will be performed during the tutorial session. The 30% grade encompasses 6% per weekly tutorial submission of the weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 (8 in total), where only the best graded 5 submissions on the problem sets will be counted towards this mark.
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.
No late submissions or extensions permitted. Marks for best 6 out of 8. Re-weighting of marks will apply if more than two tutorial submissions are missed for approved reasons. Requests for exemption follow the process for applying for extensions. Refer to section 5.3 Late Submissions for further details.
Submission guidelines
Submission is through a Turnitin link for each tutorial on Blackboard. Each submission link will be open during the tutorial session.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Quiz during tutorial session
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 18%
- Due date
14/04/2025 2:00 pm
week 8
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Diagnostic Quiz during Tutorial session about lecture's material and problems covered in Lectures 1 to 6 (Intro, Mass balances, Energy balances and Chemical processes).
This assessment item will be a paper based, closed-book quiz and will include a combination of multiple choice and open questions. Only approved calculators are permitted in this quiz. Approved calculators can be found at myUQ (https://my.uq.edu.au/services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/sitting-exam/approved-calculators). 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
Assessment will be submitted in class.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Final exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 52%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
Final exam will cover all the topics taught in this course. The exam will include theory and problem solving questions
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
A final exam mark of 40% or greater and a grade of 4 or greater overall is required to pass the course.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 notes , single 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 |
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.ﾠ |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
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.ﾠ |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
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.ﾠ |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
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 |
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. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
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. |
Additional course grading information
Grade cutoffs and hurdles
Final (total) marks will be rounded up to an integer value prior to applying hurdles or grade boundaries.
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.
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 |
Lecture |
Theory and examples Lectures providing concepts, theories and skills to tackle environmental engineering issues Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Tutorial sessions Problem-based learning in tutorial class including a combination of lecture's review questions and exercises. The tutorial sessions will be also used for the discussion of the lectures material and general course Q&A. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
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 for 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: