Learning outcome

The candidate will get an overview of methods to analyze and solve aquatic pollution problems and an understanding of how to select sustainable solutions. In-depth understanding of biogas production, including modeling and laboratory tests, is to be obtained, together with an overview of biological processes available for waste and water treatment.

A candidate who has passed the course will have a learning outcome in the form of acquired knowledge, skills, and general competence, as described below.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has a highly specialized knowledge of theory and methods used in water treatment, environmental biotechnology and methane production by anaerobic digestion related to general ecological theory

Skills

The candidate:

• is able to apply adequate methods and techniques in solving water treatment and environmental biotechnology problems
• is able to work as an individual, as well as in teams, in planning and conduction of experiments and technical water treatment projects
• is able to work safely in environmental laboratories, in accordance with HES procedures
• knows how to use computer based tools, especially Aquasim, to solve water treatment problems
• is able to analyze and solve different types of water related environmental problems and recover resources, especially energy from wastewater, based on fundamental, advanced and specialized knowledge

General competence

The candidate:

• is able to analyse and compare water and waste handling solutions in an ecological and ethical context
• masters the terminology used and is able to communicate acquired knowledge in the area water treatment and environmental biotechnology – orally, and in technical report writing
• is able to discuss - with experts as well as with the general public - technical problems, analyses and conclusions within the area of water treatment and environmental biotechnology

Course Description

• Aquatic ecology in natural systems and microbial ecology in bioreactors
• Water quality parameters and physical, chemical and biological water treatment processes
• Biological processes: Metabolic functions, kinetics and stoichiometry, activated sludge, biofilm and sludge bed bioreactors
• Biogas production through anaerobic digestion is studied in depth through mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, theoretical and experimental exercises are integrated with approximately 1/3 of the time spent on each method. This is combined with a good textbook to achieve knowledge, skills and general competence. The lectures highlight the most relevant course topics, knowledge also given in the textbook and help the students understand the most complicated theories. The theoretical exercises are designed to give the students skills in formulating biological processes in mathematical models, implementing these in a computer based simulations tool and carrying out relevant simulations. Some minor laboratory tasks are given as specified elsewhere to achieve skills in relevant laboratory techniques. A major laboratory exercise carrying out a biological experiment is conducted to obtain skills in operating bioreactors, converting waste into renewable resources and interpreting experimental results. A higher level of comprehension is obtained by modeling, simulating and interpreting the biological experiment. The students will also report the experimental and simulated results, gaining general competence in writing scientific reports, including how to cite and reference sources.

An online, part-time version of the PT and EET study programmes will start Fall 2016. An online version of the present course is taught according to the online, part-time PT and EET study programmes. The course will continue to be taught as a traditional campus-based course. The course contents and the learning material used in the course will be the same in both programmes, however, with some differences in the organization of the course: In the online version of the course, there are no ordinary lectures. A number of relevant videos produced by the instructor(s), or external videos, will be provided. These videos will be provided both for the online course and for the campus-based course. In the online course, laboratory assignments will be organized at a gathering on the campus during the semester.

Assessment Methods

The final test counts 100 % for the grade and covers the whole course. Grades A-F are used. The course consists of 1/3 laboratory work that has to be performed and accepted to be allowed to take the final exam.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean