Syllabus 2011/2012 FMI031

Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, ESPECIALLY ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

FMI031

Credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: G2 (First Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. FMI031 overlaps following cours/es: FMI100, FMIF15 and GEMF01. Compulsory for: V2. Course coordinator: Eva Leire, eva.leire@miljo.lth.se, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies. Assessment: A written exam. Active participation in the PBL-sessions and two written reports as well as refereeing reports from fellow students. The final grade is based on the written exam. Further information: PBL-occasions are mandatory. Home page: http://miljo.lth.se.

Aim
The general aim of the course is that the students should acquire fundamental knowledge about environmental problems and environmental science related to civil engineering. The students should also be inspired to discuss the role and responsibility of civil engineers in the development of an environmentally sustainable society.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to describe some fundamental environmental problems from a chemical and physical starting-point.
be able to discuss the connections between indoor environment and health
be able to explain the role of civil engineers in the creation and prevention of environmental problems in different construction projects.
be able to present examples of solutions to environmental problems; technical solutions as well preventive work such as legislation and policy instruments.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to acquire the skill to write short, well structured reports with proper references
be able to search independently for relevant literature and be able to value the references
be able to identify this/her need of further knowledge

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to identify relevant issues concerning environmental ethics

Contents
The course is largely conducted using Problem Based Learning (PBL) and after the course the students should be able to discuss the role and responsibility of civil engineers in the development of an environmentally sustainable society. The students should also be able to preside at a discussion meeting.

Lectures are given on environmental problems related to the use of natural resources and energy use in industrial society; environmental concepts. Basic environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology. Chemical processes in air, ground and water. Environmental impacts from construction projects in ground and water. Indoor environment: choice of material, ventilating system. Environmental legislation, regulation and policy instruments. Environmental ethics.

Literature
Due to the Problem Based Learning methodology there is no mandatory literature.