Course coordinator
Dr Bernardino Virdis
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Chemical Engineering School
The first course provides essential scientific and process engineering fundamentals that underpin wastewater treatment processes. Designed for professionals and students seeking specialised knowledge, this course offers a comprehensive overview of key concepts and practical applications in the field of wastewater management.
This course provides engineers with specialised knowledge and skills required to manage urban wastewater treatment systems. As cities become more densely populated and face increasing challenges from emerging pollutants, this course equips students with contemporary solutions for wastewater management. Students will develop technical expertise to understand and solve complex engineering challenges in wastewater treatment, preparing them for a world where water quality and environmental protection are paramount.
Course requirements
Assumed background
A basic understanding of chemistry is recommended.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
WATR6103
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Bernardino Virdis
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to equip students with the ability to evaluate treatment requirements of wastewater streams based on physicochemical and biological parameters. Students will learn to explain the working principles of wastewater treatment unit operations using concepts from physics, chemistry, and biology. The course covers characterisation through to conventional treatment, providing insights into decision-making processes for evaluating various technology and management options in wastewater treatment. The latter half of the course focuses on applying scientific and engineering principles to design, analyse, and troubleshoot complex wastewater treatment processes. Students will develop skills to evaluate the sustainability and resource recovery potential of wastewater management using environmental, social, and economic criteria.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Evaluate wastewater stream treatment requirements based on physicochemical and biological parameters derived from quantitative characterization methods.
LO2.
Explain the working principles of wastewater treatment unit operations using concepts from physics, chemistry, and biology to support engineering solutions.
LO3.
Evaluate the sustainability and resource recovery potential of wastewater management using environmental, social, and economic criteria.
LO4.
Apply scientific and engineering principles to design, analyse, and troubleshoot wastewater treatment processes.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Problem Portfolios
|
36% |
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025 |
| Quiz |
Virtual Practicals Quiz
|
9% |
24/03/2025 - 19/05/2025 |
| Examination |
Exam During Exam Period (School)
|
55% |
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
Problem Portfolios
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 36%
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 26/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Problem Portfolios are formal assessment exercises requiring detailed analysis and thoughtful responses. You will submit these three times during the course as part of your evaluation.
- Problem Portfolio 1 covers Modules 1–4, submissions open from 24/02/25 until 28/03/25 at 4 PM
- Problem Portfolio 2 covers Modules 5–8, submissions open from 24/03/25 until 2/05/25 at 4 PM
- Problem Portfolio 3 covers Modules 9–12, submissions open from 28/04/25 until 30/05/25 at 4 PM
Problem Portfolios are submitted electronically. A Turnitin link will be made available on Blackboard for each Problem Portfolio. You can submit anytime during the submission period indicated above. We recommend completing the exercises as you progress through each module. Please note that the problems of the four modules comprising each Portfolio must be submitted together as a single pdf.
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
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.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Virtual Practicals Quiz
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 9%
- Due date
24/03/2025 - 19/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Blackboard quiz (multiple-choice) to be submitted electronically using the link provided on Blackboard covering the content of the Virtual Practical experiences.
- Submissions open from 24/03/25 until 23/05/25 at 4PM.
You can submit anytime during the submission period indicated above. You are allowed only one attempt.
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
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.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Course Instance (CI), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Exam During Exam Period (School)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 55%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Zoom invigilated exam on all course content. No electronic aids are permitted (e.g. laptops, phones).
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.
Hurdle requirements
In order to pass this course, students must achieve a score equal to or greater than 50% on the final examination.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | Casio FX82 series calculator only |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated by Zoom |
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 | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Below 25% in the aggregate mark. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Between 25% and 44.99% in the aggregate mark. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Between 45% and 49.99% in the aggregate mark, or less than 50% in the final examination. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Between 50% and 64.99% in the aggregate mark. Must achieve a score equal to or exceeding 50% on the final examination. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Between 65% and 74.99% in the aggregate mark. Must achieve a score equal to or exceeding 60% on the final examination. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Between 75% and 84.99% in the aggregate mark. Must achieve a score equal to or exceeding 70% on the final examination. The student must complete all assessment items. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Above 85% in the aggregate mark. Must achieve a score equal to or exceeding 80% on the final examination. The student must complete and perform consistently well in all assessment items. |
Additional course grading information
Marking for in-semester assessment pieces will be in accordance with rubrics made available on Blackboard.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
If you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, the course coordinator will determine its most appropriate form.
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
Recorded lectures, lecture notes and additional learning resources are available on Blackboard.
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 |
Lectures Course content delivered through the following modules:
Digital material will be provided on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Practical |
Virtual Practicals Virtual practical 1 - Settling of Activated Sludge Virtual practical 2 - Microbial Respirometry Virtual practical 3 - Virtual tour of WWTP Digital material will be provided on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
|
General contact hours |
Q&A sessions with teaching staff Q&A sessions on Zoom for contact with the teaching staff. Log-in details will be provided on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
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.