102-0004-00L Introduction into Environmental Engineering

Semester	Autumn Semester 2024
Lecturers	P. Molnar, R. Boes, I. Hajnsek, S. Hellweg, J. P. Leitão Correia , M. Maurer, S. Pfister, J. Slomka, J. Wang
Periodicity	yearly recurring course
Language of instruction	German

Courses

Number

Title

Hours

Lecturers

102-0004-00 G

Einführung Umweltingenieurwissenschaften

Maximal ein Drittel der an der Lehrveranstaltung beteiligten Dozierenden unterrichtet auf Englisch.

2 hrs

Fri

09:45-11:30

HCI J 3 »

P. Molnar, R. Boes, I. Hajnsek, S. Hellweg, J. P. Leitão Correia , M. Maurer, S. Pfister, J. Slomka, J. Wang

Catalogue data

Abstract

In this course students are introduced to how environmental problems in the areas of water quantity and quality, waste production and recycling, air pollution control, are formulated and solved with engineering methods. The course makes a connection between the theoretical Bachelor foundation classes and practical topics of environmental engineering in six main thematic areas.

Learning objective

After completing this course, the student will be able to:
- formulate key global environmental problems
- develop a systems perspective and solutions to the problems (critical thinking)
- identify and solve simple numerical problems in the domain areas
- understand why/how we use data/models in environmental engineering
- develop own interest in the domain areas and see career opportunities

Content

Topics of study:
0. Introduction – description of the Earth System, main stressors, global warming, introduction into the methods and goals of environmental engineering.
1. Water Science & Engineering – definition of the global water cycle and hydrological regimes, surface/subsurface flow equations (advection, diffusion), water resources management, climate change.
2. Resource Management & Recovery – waste management, recycling, resource recovery, lifecycle assessment, water and carbon footprints.
3. Urban Water Technology – water quality parameters, municipal water and wastewater treatment processes and technologies, urban water systems (infrastructure).
4. River and Hydraulic Engineering – utility hydraulic engineering (hydropower production), protective hydraulic engineering (flood protection), waters protection (river restoration, ecological measures at hydropower plants).
5. Air Quality – air quality parameters, main air pollutants, air quality in cities/indoor, emission control, the plume dispersion model.
6. Earth Observation – satellite observation of the Earth System from space, methods, environmental applications (glaciers, forest, land surface change)

Lecture notes

Course will take place in English and German (bilingual). The English textbook by Masters and Ela (see below) will be complemented by instructors materials to the individual thematic topics. Lecture presentations will be the main study material. There is no formal Script.

Literature

- Masters, G.M., & Ela, W.P. (2014). Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, Third Edition, Prentice Hall, 692 pp, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ethz/reader.action?docID=5831826
- lecture presentations and selected papers

Competencies

Subject-specific Competencies	Concepts and Theories	assessed
	Techniques and Technologies	assessed
Method-specific Competencies	Analytical Competencies	assessed
	Decision-making	assessed
	Media and Digital Technologies	fostered
	Problem-solving	fostered
	Project Management	fostered
Social Competencies	Communication	fostered
	Cooperation and Teamwork	fostered
	Customer Orientation	fostered
	Leadership and Responsibility	fostered
	Self-presentation and Social Influence	fostered
	Sensitivity to Diversity	fostered
Personal Competencies	Creative Thinking	fostered
	Critical Thinking	fostered
	Self-awareness and Self-reflection	assessed

Performance assessment

Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again)
Performance assessment as a semester course
ECTS credits	3 credits
Examiners	P. Molnar, R. Boes, I. Hajnsek, S. Hellweg, J. P. Leitão Correia , M. Maurer, S. Pfister, J. Slomka, J. Wang
Type	ungraded semester performance
Language of examination	German
Repetition	Repetition only possible after re-enrolling for the course unit.

Learning materials


Literature	Masters, G.M., & Ela, W.P. (2014). Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science, Third Edit
Only public learning materials are listed.

Groups

No information on groups available.

Restrictions

Priority	Registration for the course unit is only possible for the primary target group
Primary target group	Environmental Engineering BSc (105000)

Offered in

Programme	Section	Type
Environmental Engineering Bachelor	Additional First Year Courses	O