Note: This unit version is currently being edited and is subject to change!
ENVE4800: Environmental Engineering Design (2027 - Semester 1)
| Unit: | ENVE4800: Environmental Engineering Design (6 CP) |
| Mode: | Normal-Day |
| On Offer: | Yes |
| Level: | Senior Advanced |
| Faculty/School: | Faculty of Engineering |
| Unit Coordinator/s: |
Dr Montoya, Alejandro
|
| Session options: | Semester 1 |
| Versions for this Unit: |
| Campus: | Camperdown/Darlington |
| Pre-Requisites: | None. |
| Brief Handbook Description: | The content of this unit is designed to meet the learning objectives outlined by the Bachelor Honours (Environmental Engineering) stream. However, it is subject to change to align with evolving faculty requirements, accreditation standards, and the latest developments in the field. Any adjustments will be communicated promptly to ensure that the faculty is well-informed and adequately prepared. Overview:This unit allows students to propose practical environmental engineering problems. Through a systematic design-oriented approach, students will engage with real-world environmental issues. The unit introduces students to defining project briefs, assessing environmental impacts, evaluating alternatives, and developing feasible engineering solutions. Students will work individually and in teams to address environmental problems that industry, government, or academia pose. Students will consolidate their technical skills and address community engagement, regulatory compliance, and legal, social, and ethical considerations relevant to environmental engineering. Self-learning: To progress in the unit of study concepts, students are expected to spend at least 3-4 hours per week on self-learning outside the specified contact periods. Attendance: The lectures will be delivered face-to-face. During each class session, a significant amount of time will be dedicated to problem-solving activities individually and in groups. Upon finishing a module, students will gain a strong understanding of the theory supporting sustainability and be able to apply these principles in practical engineering situations. A problem-solving approach will give students the skills to conduct investigations independently and collaboratively. Students will receive feedback on their progress while working during these sessions. Recommended readings: Class lecture presentations and related materials will be available on the course website. Students are expected to consult a diverse range of references and resources, many of which are accessible through the University Library, for their project work. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | None. |
Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.
Unassigned Outcomes2. Conduct comprehensive research, incorporating regulatory frameworks, technical data, and sustainability principles, to ensure compliance with environmental and health regulations in the design process.
3. Develop advanced communication skills to effectively present and justify engineering solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders in written and oral formats.
4. Demonstrate leadership and teamwork in multidisciplinary settings, collaborating to develop innovative design solutions while efficiently managing project timelines and resources.
5. Assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of engineering decisions, incorporating risk management, legal requirements, and ethical considerations in both global and local contexts.
| Assessment Description: |
The assessment is split into 15% individual and 85% group work. Individual work includes a written quiz, while group work involves a comprehensive project report on solving a case study provided to students. The group work aims to improve collaboration, communication, and teamwork skills, while the individual components focus on students' technical and analytical abilities as applied to environmental engineering design. The comprehensive final report could be broken into smaller assessments submitted throughout the semester, ensuring progress and correct approaches through feedback. The weight of the individual assessments is provided below 1. Design written review quiz:15% 2. Comprehensive final report, including all project documentation (progress, files, public participation, and time sheets– 85% |
Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp
| Week | Description |
| Week 1 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering Design |
| Week 2 | Problem Definition and Needs Assessment |
| Week 3 | Conceptual Design and Alternatives Evaluation |
| Week 4 | Environmental Regulations and Permitting |
| Week 5 | Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Risk Assessment |
| Week 6 | Design Project Proposal |
| Week 7 | Detailed Design and Engineering Analysis |
| Week 8 | Material Selection and Procurement |
| Week 9 | Design Optimization and Cost Estimation |
| Week 10 | Design Review and Feedback |
| Week 11 | Implementation Planning and Construction Management |
| Week 12 | Final Design Presentation and Documentation |
| Week 13 | Final Design Presentations and Reflection |
Course Relations
The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.
Course Goals
This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:
| Attribute | Practiced | Assessed |
| Unit has not been assigned any attributes yet. | ||
These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.
