Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: Dr Nick Brown
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3024
Course Coordinator Email: nick.brown@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 10, Floor 10, Room 26
Course Coordinator Availability: Email to book appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None.
Course Description
This course introduces you to the fundamentals of environmental engineering. You will explore the interactions between the built environment (human made structures and supporting infrastructure) and the natural environment (climate, water resources, land, ecosystems etc.). You will learn about key environmental concerns such as, water, air, waste, and noise. Additionally, you will relate offers of Indigenous knowledge to environmental engineering practice. Environmental engineering is highly relevant to all disciplines as it equips engineers with an understanding of how to use socio-technical thinking in resolving pressing global challenges including the biodiversity crisis, climate change and sustainable development.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s):
- BH080 Bachelor of Environmental Engineering (Honours)
- BH126 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
PLO 3 Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities, bounds, design practice and research trends of contemporary engineering practice including sustainable practice.
PLO 8 Communicate engineering designs and solutions respectfully and effectively, employing a range of advanced communication methods, in an individual or team environment, to diverse audiences.
PLO 9 Demonstrate the capacity for personal accountability, professional and ethical conduct, intellectual independence, cultural sensitivity, autonomy, adaptability, and reflection on own learning and career when undertaking engineering projects.
PLO 10 Critically analyse, evaluate, and transform information, while exercising professional judgement, in an engineering context.
For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of environmental engineering principles in the execution of project work,
- Evaluate Environmental, Social and technical considerations within the context of an engineering project
- Explain specialist terms and techniques associated with environmental engineering,
- Reflect on techniques and technologies used by First Nations and/or globally inclusive perspectives related to execution of environmental engineering projects.
Overview of Learning Activities
Learning activities include pre-recorded topic videos, briefings, team-based design tutorials, self-guided learning, and individual and team-based assessment tasks. Learning activities are designed to address the course learning outcomes and will be authentic to professional environmental engineering contexts. Essential professional skills (e.g. communication skills, project management skills) will be fostered throughout the semester. Course-related resources and assessment tasks will be provided through RMIT’s learning management system.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course Site.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
This course contains no hurdle requirements.
Assessment Task 1: Environmental Impact Assessment
Weighting: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 2 and 4.
Assessment Task 2: Presentation (Group)
Weighting: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1 and 3.
Assessment Task 3: Environmental Statistics
Weighting: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 2 and 3.
Assessment Task 4: Portfolio
Weighting: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1 and 4.
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.