Environmental Engineering

The course is structured into the following modules: - Characterization of natural waters [24 hours] - Cementitious materials [16 hours] - Fuels [12 hours] - Group work or laboratory activities [8 hours] Detailed Program: Natural Waters Classification of water sources. Chemical-physical characteristics: total solids, dissolved solids, suspended solids, ionic strength, concentration and activity, activity coefficients, pH. Equilibria of the carbonic acid system. Acidity, alkalinity, total inorganic carbon, hardness, stability (aggressive and scaling waters, Langelier Saturation Index and Ryznar Stability Index), dissolved gases. Uses of natural waters for domestic (drinking water), agricultural (irrigation), and industrial purposes (cooling and heating systems, steam generators, chemical processes). Quality requirements. Binders and concrete Portland cement: production, setting and hardening, mechanical properties. Concrete: characteristics of the components, properties and critical aspects of fresh and hardened concrete. Mechanical properties of concrete. Fuels Combustion: calorific value, theoretical combustion temperature, ignition temperature, flammability limits, combustion efficiency. Classification of fuels: Solid fuels (coal), Liquid fuels (petroleum, gasoline, kerosene, diesel; octane number and cetane number); Gaseous fuels (methane) Laboratory Exercises 1. Determination of water hardness and alkalinity 2. Characterization of mineral water using potentiometric and chromatographic methods

To effectively understand the course content and achieve the intended learning objectives, it is essential that, at the beginning of the course, the student has a basic knowledge of mathematics—particularly regarding the properties of exponents and logarithms—and a good understanding of general and inorganic chemistry.

• Course handouts (supplementary materials based on W.D. Callister – Materials Science and Engineering and Benefield, Judkins, Weand – Process Chemistry for Water and Wastewater Treatment) • Lecture presentations in PowerPoint format • Exercise booklets provided by the instructor (including both solved exercises and exam exercises with solutions only) The material, in digital format, will be made available at the beginning of the course, except for the PowerPoint presentations, which will be shared gradually via a Google Drive virtual classroom (access code will be sent by email to eligible students).

The course includes classroom lectures, flipped classrooms, workgroups on selected topics and three hands-on laboratory experiences

The frequency, although not mandatory, is highly recommended.

The exam can be passed through two different modalities, depending on whether the student passes both midterm tests. The first midterm is scheduled right after Easter, and the second one at the end of the course. • Students who pass both midterms are admitted directly to the oral interview, which will be held on a flexible date starting from early June. • Students who pass only one midterm may retain the grade obtained and retake only the part not passed. Note: Partial scores are valid only until the end of the July exam session. After that, all previous results will be void, and the entire exam must be retaken. Students who fail both midterms or do not attend the midterm tests will be required to take both written parts (first and second) on the same day, according to the official exam schedule. Structure of the Written Tests First Written Test • Two numerical exercises (one on natural waters and one on cementitious materials – maximum score: 10 points) • A multiple-choice questionnaire: o 3 multiple-choice questions (0.3 points each for correct answers out of 4 options) o 1 short text with 3 blanks to be completed (0.2 points for each correct word) Second Written Test • One numerical exercise (on fuels – maximum score: 6 points) • One open-ended questionnaire, divided into 3 sections: o Block A: answer 2 out of 3 proposed questions (up to 0.5 points each) o Block B: answer 2 out of 3 proposed questions (up to 1.5 points each) o Block C: answer 1 out of 3 proposed questions (up to 3 points) Evaluation Criteria The final grade is based on the following components: 1. Written tests – up to 24.5 points 2. PowerPoint presentation on a topic agreed with the instructor – up to 3.5 points 3. Bonus for consistent submission of weekly assignments – up to 2 points The final grade, expressed out of thirty, is determined by the following components: Up to 2 points (approximately 6.7% of the final grade) are awarded based on class attendance, interest, participation, and punctual submission of weekly assignments. Up to 3.5 points (approximately 11.7%) are assigned for the presentation of a project report (PowerPoint format). Up to 16 points (approximately 53.3%) are based on performance in numerical exercises from the written tests. Up to 8.5 points (approximately 28.3%) are awarded for the open-ended questionnaire section of the written tests.

The course includes a dynamic structure of teaching activities, aimed at stimulating active learning and conscious student participation. The methodologies adopted include: • Traditional lectures, aimed at delivering fundamental theoretical content. • Flipped classroom sessions, in which students analyze provided materials in advance (articles, videos, technical documents), and then discuss and explore the content further in class. • Interactive quizzes in class (using digital tools), to provide immediate feedback and real-time assessment of learning progress. • Proactive learning, through activities that require individual reflection, independent research, and critical peer-to-peer discussion. • Group work, organized around specific topics or case studies, with the goal of fostering collaboration, division of tasks, shared responsibility, and presentation skills. The group project is also part of the final oral examination. • Applied exercises, carried out individually or in small groups, to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world cases, practical projects, or advanced material analysis. • Peer review of selected weekly assignments, to stimulate critical thinking and constructive exchange among students. • Weekly assignments: Each week, an assignment will be posted on the Virtual Classroom, with a clearly indicated deadline. Assignments may include open- or multiple-choice questions, applied exercises, in-depth analysis of scientific articles, patents, or other provided materials, as well as short critical reports or comparative evaluations. Weekly assignments are a key tool for consolidating and verifying ongoing learning and for effectively preparing for assessment tests. Meeting the weekly deadlines will result in: • Eligibility to take the midterm exams • A bonus of 2/30 added to the final grade