Ecology- Chemistry and Microbiology by NTUA / UB

AIMS
This module aims to introduce basic concepts of sustainability, chemistry and microbiology as they pertain to environmental engineers. The module establishes the foundation needed for the understanding the scientific principles behind environmental engineering designs and operation.
Ecology
To study ecology from the standpoint of human impact on natural surroundings
To introduce the concept of the ecological footprint and sustainability
To familiarize students with the impact of individual's behavioural and consumption patterns on the environment
To introduce the concept of the corporate sustainability
To introduce the sustainability issues facing large cities
Chemistry
To develop an understanding of basic chemical concepts and terminology
To introduce the fundamentals of chemistry for environmental engineers
To develop knowledge of chemical representation, concentration calculations, balancing of reactions, oxidation reduction reactions, redox half reactions, chemical equilibrium, conductivity and ionic strength, chemical kinetics, gas laws and reaction rates and solubility
To develop an understanding of order of chemical reactions and equilibrium
To develop an understanding of chemical kinetics and reaction types
To develop an understanding of basic water chemistry
Microbiology
To introduce the fundamentals of microbiology for environmental engineers
To describe characteristics of microbial populations (bacteria, algae, fungi, protozoa, other)
To describe growth of microorganisms and to introduce the subject of identification and enumeration of microorganisms
To introduce the fundamentals of water borne disease transmission and protection against this
To review the basics of agents of disease: bacterial pathogens, viral pathogens, protozoan pathogens, and other vectors of disease
To develop an understanding of indicators of faecal contamination and the concept of indicator organisms
To develop an understanding of microbial kinetics in the context of their use in pollution control and wastewater treatment

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Subject Specific Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
By the end of this module, the students should:
Ecology
Understand how individuals, corporations and cities impact the environment
Have gained insight into how individuals, corporations and cities can mitigate their detrimental impact on the environment
Have ideas how sustainability principles can be applied in different areas
Chemistry
Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry for environmental engineers
Fundamental understanding of chemical equilibrium and relevant gas laws and solubility of substances in water
Basic understanding of causes and consequences of environmental pollution and chemical fundamentals behind them
Understanding of chemical kinetics and reaction types
Understanding of basic water chemistry
Microbiology
Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of microbiology for environmental engineers
Be able to differentiate different between different microbial species and their roles in wastewater treatment
Have knowledge of the fundamentals of water borne disease transmission
Understand the concept of indicator organisms
Understand microbial kinetics concepts
2. Core Academic Skills
By the end of this module, the students should:
Be able to analyze the impacts various entities have on the environment and be able to formulate ideas on how to mitigate these impacts
Have acquired the fundamental knowledge of basic science principles at the foundation of environmental problems
Have acquired the ability to do the necessary calculations and basic modelling skills for solution of environmental pollution
3. Personal and Key Skills
By the end of this module, the students should have:
improved further the necessary skills for independent learning
enhanced report and presentation skills
acquired an ability to function in multi-national teams
acquired a basic ability to develop process level models for important environmental reactions and to do appropriate level analysis of typical environmental problems

SYLLABUS PLAN
Ecological Footprint
Corporate sustainability
Sustainable cities
Fundamental concepts in chemistry
Chemical reactions
Solutions and the gas laws
General water chemistry
Chemistry applied to water and wastewater treatment processes
Introduction, structure, classification, metabolism, function and environmental significance of microorganisms
Microbial growth kinetics
Waterborne-disease transmission and control
Role of microorganisms in wastewater treatment processes

Start: 24 September 2012
Duration: 15 weeks
Credits: 8 ECTS
Web-link: http://www.water-msc.org/en/wrem102.htm