Subject Description Form
Subject Code CSE1003
Subject Title Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering
Credit Value 3
Level 1
Pre-requisite / Nil
Co-requisite/
Exclusion
1. To provide a basic understanding of the long-term impacts of
Objectives engineering solutions on society and the environment and the causes of
global environmental issues;
2. To teach students the basic skills needed to address environmental
challenges and to design sustainable products and systems using advanced
analysis methods;
3. To provide basic knowledge to enable students to turn community needs
into practical engineering solutions.
Intended Learning Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
Outcomes
(a) Define sustainability in relationship to development indexes;
(b) Perform calculations involving conventional units utilized in
engineering;
(c) Solve basic equilibrium problems related to pH and solubility;
(d) Prepare and solve mass balance equations to determine the impacts of
pollutants on the environment;
(e) Describe the impact of anthropogenic sources on water quality, air
quality, and human health;
(f) Describe the relationship between community sustainability, fossil fuel
emissions, global climate change and environmental impacts;
(g) Develop frameworks for conceptualizing complex and open system
problems;
(h) Describe the basic approach to material cycles when developing products
and processes;
(i) Cultivate creative and critical thinking, an ability to work independently,
and the recognition of the need for and engagement in life-long learning;
(j) To practice teamwork and take responsibility for shared activities
1. Sustainability, Engineering and Design (2 weeks)
Subject Synopsis/
Indicative Syllabus What is sustainable development; Definition of sustainability, Technical
approach to quantify sustainability
2. Analyzing sustainability using engineering science (2 weeks)
Natural biogeochemical cycles, Mass balance and system boundaries,
Solubility, Henry’s Law, Ideal gas law, Chemistry of natural systems,
Equilibrium models, Environmental fate and partitioning of chemicals
3. Water quality impacts (2 weeks)
Water crisis, Water quality parameters, Modeling the impact of water
pollutants, Water treatment technologies
4. Impacts on air quality (2 weeks)
Health effect of air pollutants, Estimating emission of air pollutants,
Dispersion of air pollutants
5. The carbon cycle and energy balance (2 weeks)
Climate change, The carbon cycle, Global energy balance, Greenhouse
gases and effects, Carbon mitigation, capture and sequestration
6. Sustainable engineering (2 weeks)
Footprint indicators of sustainability, waste management and materials life
cycle, ecological design, biomimicry, stainability and green engineering
7. Introduction to life cycle analysis (1 week)
Life cycle assessment framework, material flow analysis, embodied energy
Lectures serve as a foundational teaching method to deliver theoretical
Teaching/Learning
knowledge and concepts related to sustainable practices in engineering and
Methodology
design. The lectures will be designed to engage students through a combination
of multimedia presentations, case studies, and real-world examples, facilitating a
deeper understanding of sustainability challenges and solutions.
Tutorials will provide opportunities for students and lecturers to communicate
and discuss any difficulties related to the course. In each tutorial, students will
also be guided through problem-solving exercises, such as solving calculation
questions and developing new mass balance equations. It will allow students to
apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and retain new information.
Assignments will require students to apply theoretical knowledge and practice
some problem-solving exercises individually to develop essential skills as
engineers. Independent study and associated reading allow students to engage in
self-directed learning to deepen their understanding of the course materials.
Assessment
Methods in Specific % Intended subject learning outcomes to be
Alignment with assessment weighting assessed (Please tick as appropriate)
Intended Learning methods/tasks
Outcomes a b c d e f g h i j
1. Continuous 25% √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
Assessment
2. Examination 70% √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
3. Seminar 5% √
Report
Total 100 %
Students must attain at least grade D in both coursework and final
examination (whenever applicable) in order to attain a passing grade in the
overall result.
Explanation of the appropriateness of the assessment methods in assessing the
intended learning outcomes:
1. Tutorials/assignments are designed to evaluate students’ understanding
and application of key concepts and strengthen the understanding of the
application of basic physical sciences;
2. The mid-term and the final exams will provide a structured format to
assess students’ grasp of theoretical concepts and basic problem-solving
skills individually.
Student Study Class contact:
Effort Expected
Lectures / Tutorials 39 Hrs.
Other student study effort:
Reading and study 50 Hrs.
Assignments 30 Hrs.
Total student study effort 119 Hrs.
Reading List and Textbook:
References
Bradley Striebig, Adebayo Ogundipe, Maria Papadakis, 1st Edition, Engineering
Applications in Sustainable Design and Development, Cengage Learning, 2015.
