GE 302

 

GE 302 Industry and the Environment
Department of Civil Engineering King Saud University
Course Description: GE 302 Industry and the Environment (Required for a BScE degree)	This course gives an introduction to the impact of engineering and industrial activities on the environment. The lectures cover: basics of ecosystems, environmental balance, types of pollution, and types, sources, and limits of pollutants; in addition to fundamentals of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Pollution control technologies and examples of pollution from various engineering and industrial sectors are also covered. The course also includes a group term project.  2(2,0,0)
Prerequisite	None
Course Learning Objectives	Students completing this course successfully will be able to: Understand the basics of the global ecosystem and the natural cycles of its major components Understand the types of environmental pollution caused by engineering and industrial activities Realize the importance of sustainable development and maintaining environmental balance. Understand the different types of pollutants, their sources, limits and the different technologies for pollution control. Recognize the importance of EIA prior to making development projects. Improve their communication skills, including reading, writing, and oral presentations.
Topics Covered	Introduction to the environment, ecosystems and environmental pollution (definition of some environmental terms, categories of pollutants, examples on different types of  pollution, natural cycles of important components). Water pollution (water quality, water quantities, pollutants and their  standard limits and treatment; wastewater quantity, characteristics, reuse and discharge standards, and treatment) Air pollution (types of pollutants, standards, and control) Solid wastes (quantity, characteristics, management, and disposal) Noise pollution (introduction, rating systems, effects on people, sources, and control). Fundamentals of EIA.
Class/ Tutorial Schedule	Classes are held once per week in 100-minute lecture session or over two-weekly 50-minute lecture sessions.
Computer Applications	Searching the internet for related topics is encouraged during the course and for facilitating the term project.
Project	A project is offered for the students in groups during the course, to  improve their understanding of environmental engineering systems and fundamentals as well as relevant contemporary issues (i.e. recycling of materials, global warming, green technologies, sustainable development and public health). Such project includes collection of information and/or studying  cases of pollution from an industry, to emphasize the linkage between real cases of pollution and control with the course content. A written report and oral presentation is required.
Contribution of Course to Meeting the Professional Component	Students develop awareness of environmental ethics and contemporary issues in their engineering profession Students understand potential impacts of engineering &industrial activities on the environment Students improve their communication and presentation skills. Students recognize the role of professional societies in developing standards and updating current knowledge.
Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes	Students use knowledge of math, science & engineering in understanding environmental related issues (ABET a) Students develop knowledge and awareness of environmental contemporary issues; for example, pollution and waste management, sustainable development, public health and environmental ethics (ABET j). Students acquire broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, environmental and societal context (ABET h) Students develop their ability to prepare written reports and oral presentations; hence  improve their communication skills (ABET g).
Textbook(s) and Other Supporting Materials:	"Principles of Environmental Engineering and Science" By Mackenzie L. Davis and Susan J. Master (2009), 2nd ed. "Environmental Engineering" By Salvato, Nemerow, & Agardy (2008), 5th ed., Wiley “Environmental Pollution: Atmosphere, Land, Water & Noise” By Herbert Mason Dix (1981), John Wiley, Chichester. Saudi Drinking Water Standards. Saudi Ambient Air Quality Standards. American Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Prepared by	Dr. Abduaziz O. Al-Jasser
Date of Preparation	May, 2006
Date of Update	June and Oct. 2009 (Dr. Hesham Fouli & Dr. Waleed Zahid) Feb. 2010 (Dr. Abduaziz O. Al-Jasser & Dr. Hesham Fouli) Sept. 2011 (Dr. Ibrahim Al-Sebaie, Dr. Saleh Al-Hassoun & Dr. Hesham Fouli) Jan. 2014 (Dr. Mohab Kamal) Sep. 2017 (Dr. Mohab Kamal)

 
 

Grade Distribution

Mid-term Exam 1          20% 
 
Mid-term Exam 2          20%  

Project                                     10%

Final Exam                               40%     
 
Homework and Reports
Term project report on relevant contemporary issues or other suitable topics must be submitted and oral presentations delivered by students on the specified times.  Late submission will be penalized. Submissions must be neat and clean on A4 paper format.  The report must include: table of contents, page numbers, structured sections and well documented references.  Report length is between 20 and 25 pages, aerial font with main text point size 12 and single-line spaced.  Oral presentations will be within 15 minutes each and will be judged based on: content, clarity, time management, eye contact and attempt to use English language.
 
Notes for Excused Absences
According to the university regulations, student absence times should not exceed 25% of lecture times, to attend the final exam.  Excused absence notes; e.g. medical, should be submitted to the instructor within one week following the absence.