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Solid Wastes to Sustainable Resources (ENEN90006)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Dr Behzad Rismanchi
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
In this subject students will learn about the fundamentals of the solid waste stream in modern society. Emphasis will be placed on the life cycle aspects of waste and the prospect of minimizing waste and maximizing the economic value of waste streams. Interaction between solid wastes and liquid and gaseous waste streams will also be considered. The subject builds on knowledge from subjects such as CVEN90043 Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering where general principles of sustainability are discussed. Student knowledge of systems and material cycles, learnt in subjects such as ENEN90031 Quantitative Environmental Modelling and CVEN30010 Systems Modelling and Design or their equivalent in other subjects forms the basic grounding for the subject. The subject is of particular relevance to students wishing to establish a career in waste management, but is also relevant to a range of engineering design disciplines where design for the total life cycle of the product or infrastructure should be considered.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Regulatory aspects of waste management, sustainability programs in government and private sector, life cycle assessment, organic waste treatment and management, inorganic waste treatment and management, landfill hydrology and design, cleaner production strategies, hazardous waste management, collection and transport logistics.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Describe the major environmental problems caused by inappropriate production and disposal of solid by-products manufacturing and consumption
- Identify and describe the role of various systems of treatment of hazardous wastes
- Classify and model sources of solid wastes
- Conduct life cycle analysis and cleaner production assessments
- Apply principles of sustainable development to the management of solid by-products
- Identity design inputs to enable the avoidance, minimization, recycling, re-use and treatment of solid by-products
- Analyse the role of regulatory systems in solid wastes management.
Generic skills
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
- Understanding of social, cultural, global, and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development
- Capacity for creativity and innovation
- Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Admission to post graduate studies in engineering or equivalent.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Two group reports (15% each), with 3 to 4 team members each contributing about 20 hours per report of discussion, planning, research, analysis, writing, and production. Due weeks 5 and 10. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 2, 6 and 7 are addressed in the reports
| From Week 5 to Week 10 | 30% |
Two individual reports (25% each) of about 2000 words. Due week 3 and 7. ILOs 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are addressed in the reports
| From Week 3 to Week 7 | 50% |
One 10 minute seminar presentation, and participation in seminars. ILO 6 is addressed in the presentation
| During the teaching period | 10% |
Electronic journal entries. ILOs 1 and 6 are addressed in the journal entries
| During the teaching period | 10% |
| Hurdle requirement: Attendance at two site visits and reporting via the electronic journal is a hurdle requirement to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Behzad Rismanchi Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 39 hours (Lectures: 24 hours per semester; Tutorials/Seminars: 15 hours per semester; Site visits: 2 half-day visits per semester) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Dr Behzad Rismanchi
Time commitment details
200 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
Safety boots, high visibility vests and safety spectacles are required for site visits.
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject is based principally on presentations by experienced industry professionals who present case studies in their area of expertise. In addition each student prepares and presents a tutorial research paper on a topic of their interest selected from an extensive list. A computer laboratory is used to investigate the potential environment impact of a landfill due to leachate movement. Several site visits to industrial and waste management facilities form the basis of journal entries where students reflect on their changing understanding of waste avoidance and management.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Guidelines accessed from http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/business-and-industry/guidelines
Policies and legislation accessed from http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/legislation-and-policy/state-environment-protection-policiesCAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Presenters from government agencies and the waste management industry present case studies. Students who are already working in the industry can base their tutorial papers on topics related to their workplace. Site visits are undertaken to enhance students understanding of operating environment within waste management operations.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Environmental Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Specialisation (formal) Civil Major Tailored Specialisation Major Waste Management Major Waste Management Specialisation (formal) Environmental Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022