Brief Description of Courses Taught

EES4041C: Environmental Analysis (3 credits, required course for all Environmental Engineering students)

This course deals with the theory and laboratory techniques for the analysis of contaminants in aqueous, gaseous, and solid phases as well as links to basic concepts of ecosystems’ structure and function. The course provides students with knowledge and skills necessary for accurate sampling, storage, handling and analysis of environmental samples. After completion of this course, students are expected to be able to: (i) link different analytical techniques to the identification and quantitation of pollutants of environmental concern, (ii) critically analyze/discuss experimental data, and (iii) write lab reports using peer reviewed scientific paper guidelines. Students enrolled in this class should have completed tracking chemistry courses (CHM 2046 and CHM 2096) and statistics (STA2023 or equivalent). Overall, fundamental concepts and principles emphasized in this course equip students with necessary skills, which are needed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize environmental pollution. The hands-on component of this course (labs) is a tremendous asset for professional careers in environmental engineering as it exposes students to the analysis of experimental data, while helping develop scientific critical thinking and writing skills.

EES4201: Water Chemistry (3 credits, required course for all Environmental Engineering students), and EES6208: Principles of Water Chemistry-1

In this course, students do solve quantitative chemical equilibrium and kinetic problems while developing an understanding of chemical concepts/principles, which are the basis for design experiences in both academic programs and professions in environmental engineering. The fundamental understanding of aquatic chemistry principles emphasized in this course allows students to acquire skills needed to adequately deal with pollution prevention and control in both natural and engineered aquatic systems. The course is a tremendous asset for professional careers in environmental engineering, with obvious benefit to society. Students who successfully complete this course are able to: (1) identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems related to water pollution, (2) apply knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and engineering; and (3) acquire knowledge on fate and the environmental impacts of pollutants in aquatic systems.

EMA4535-Sustainable Nanotechnology and EES6425-Environmental Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field at a confluence of physical, chemical, biological, and engineering sciences aimed at manipulating matter on the atomic and molecular scales, developing nanostructured materials, and fabricating nanoscale devices. Nanoscale materials often possess properties qualitatively different from their bulk counterparts and find their use in a wide variety of areas, including medicine, electronics, and environmental applications. The increases in production and use of engineered nanomaterials would likely result in intentional and/or non-intentional introduction of these nanoscale materials to the environment, which may lead to environmental and health problems. The sustainable development of nanotechnology requires assessment of benefits and potential impacts involved in all stages of the life cycle of manufactured nanomaterials, including their synthesis, integration, use, and disposal. Such an assessment would allow the development of synthetic that may minimize the potential negative impacts of nanomaterials. These courses introduce students to the life cycle and the environmental applications and implications of engineered nanomaterials.

EES6932: Concepts in Environmental Pollutant Behaviors

This course focuses on theory and laboratory approaches for the assessment of the fate of pollutants in aquatic and soil systems. The course seeks to equip students with necessary tools for experimental design development based on empirical knowledge of physicochemical and biological processes involved in pollutant fate and transport in aquatic and soil systems. Students learn how to apply knowledge of chemical kinetics, sorption/desorption, biotransformation/bioaccumulation, and redox chemistry towards the evaluation of pollutant behavior in environmental systems.

CWR6252: Environmental Biogeochemistry of Trace Metals

This course focuses on fate and impacts of metals and metalloids as they cycle through geological and biological environmental compartments. The course emphasizes geological and chemical principles that drive the distribution, speciation, and bioavailability of trace metals as well as their interaction and dynamics in soils and aquatic systems. It provides students with a scientific basis to biogeochemical approaches and a foundation upon which they can develop the ability to analyze, predict, and solve environmental and engineering problems related to metal pollution.