Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus owing to exceptional circumstances beyond their control. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit introduces students to environmental engineering design. Students design solutions to local problems that exemplify grand global challenges for environmental engineering. Examples of these problems include decarbonisation, making decisions at the land-energy-water-food nexus, and adaptation to climate change or sea level rise.
Students will confront these topics through multiple lenses. Lectures and guest speakers from industry, and site visits to relevant locations near campus, will introduce the class to the global context and relevance of the problems; the problems' technical and engineering aspects; the social, environmental and ethical dimensions; and the local relevance of the problem, including any relevant regulatory and policy frameworks.
This background will prepare students to conduct individual “guided design” experiences. These experiences will allow students to identify technically feasible design solutions, to critique solutions from social, economic, environmental, technical and legal perspectives, and generate recommended actions.
Students will be trained in techniques of technical writing and graphical communication and will exercise these skills in writing short “design reports” documenting their solution process and recommendations.
Throughout, students will maintain a reflective journal documenting their learning. They will be asked to summarise the main themes in this journal in an assessed written piece.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 core unit in the Environmental Engineering major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) identify the emerging challenges the environmental engineering profession addresses; (2) generate multiple technically viable solutions to defined problems; (3) develop potential design solutions consistent with relevant legislation and standards for environment, health and safety (covering, for example, the EPBC Act 1999 , Environmental Protection Act (WA) 1986, Contaminated Sites Act (WA) 2003, the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act (WA) 2007, the Work, Health and Safety Act (WA) 2020 and ISO45001); (4) evaluate potential design solutions from social, economic, environmental, and ethical perspectives.; (5) communicate a design process and recommendations using written and graphical approaches; (6) demonstrate awareness of their own learning and educational progress as engineers; and (7) conduct themselves in a professional and constructive manner.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments; (2) reflective journal; and (3) professional conduct. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
workshops: 2 hours per week - Note
- This background will prepare students to conduct individual “guided design” experiences. These experiences will allow students to identify technically feasible design solutions, to critique solutions from social, economic, environmental, technical and legal perspectives, and generate recommended actions.
Students will be trained in techniques of technical writing and graphical communication and will exercise these skills in writing short “design reports” documenting their solution process and recommendations.
Throughout, students will maintain a reflective journal documenting their learning. They will be asked to summarise the main themes in this journal in an assessed written piece.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.