Environmental Engineering

This course is designed to provide an interdisciplinary group of learners with the knowledge and skills to develop and manage their professional practice while considering sustainability imperatives. Principles of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), industrial ecology, circular economy, and urban world issues are covered in a manner that reveals constraints but also opportunities and strategies for balancing environmental, social and economic perspectives. In addition, the changing roles and approaches in governance systems and the role of stakeholders in decision making will be discussed. The course delivery mode is an experiential learning in classroom and field settings.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program

​This course starts off with introducing the climate system components, energy and matter flow and conversion of different forms of energy through the Earth's system. The drivers of change in the way we use energy are discussed. The basic knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics are presented as tools to explain mass and energy balances through the system and also energy efficiencies. The most recent scientific evidence on the changing climate as well as the adaptation and mitigation strategies are discussed. Linking energy sector as the single largest anthropogenic source of climate‐changing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to energy services, energy efficiency as well as the energy supply and demand side management form the bulk of the course. Conventional and renewable energy sources are discussed. Strategies for energy conservation, fuel switching and changing to passive systems are examined. Alternative energy systems that minimize the use of natural resources will be explained together with underlying social, economic and environmental considerations. Students are further engaged in exploring GHG inventories, protocols, strategies and action plans for GHG reductions, offset credits/trading systems and GHG validation/verification principals.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program

​The course introduces fields of physics and fundamental laws. It starts off with conversion of units for concentration of contaminants in air, water, and solid media. Particle dynamics, force and momentum, gravitational, centrifugal and electric forces in addition to kinetic and potential energy, and thermodynamics are covered. Property of fluids will be explained with a focus on fluid mechanics and hydraulics, including the calculation of pressures and forces exerted by static fluids and the solution of steady single-pipe flow problems. In addition, it covers Bernoulli's principle and the use of various energy loss equations. This is followed by the engineering application of hydraulic principles such as: pipe networks, pumps, uniform and non-uniform open channel flow and measurement.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program

​Climate affects every aspect of human society and the environment. Understanding climate characteristics from local to global scales helps in sustaining Earth's ecosystems. The course provides an introduction to climatological parameters with a focus on temperature, wind, precipitation in its various forms, humidity, cloud type and amount, and solar radiation. Observations and measurements as well as climatological data recording and analysis is discussed. An introduction to the field of hydrology along with fundamental watershed concepts is covered. Rainfall runoff models cover the rational formula, SCS method, frequency analysis of extreme flows, regional analysis, low-flow analysis, and measurement of snow melt. The hydrometric section includes procedures used to construct hydrographs and hydrometers, methods to determine stage flow and various measures of streamflow.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program

​An introduction to soil mechanics including soil origins, types and classifications, phase relationships, compaction and soil strength, Darcy's law, flow nets. The hydrogeology section focuses on the occurrence and movement of groundwater in a variety of geologic settings and explains the effect of human activity on that movement. Topics include types of aquifers, properties of porous media, groundwater flow, and pump testing of aquifers. The contaminant hydrogeology portion of the course examines the major sources of ground water contaminants and their flow in ground water, and presents the processes by which contaminants are transported through the subsurface as free phase products or dissolved aqueous constituents. Topics include terminology, water quality, chemical constituents of ground water, LNAPLs and DNAPLs, transport mechanisms.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7405^† and 50% in EENG 7410^† (^† may be taken concurrently)

Fosters abilities and values required for ethical decision making at work. Develops skills in logical analysis, a working knowledge of moral principles and theories, and the ability to diagnose and resolve moral disagreements commonly found at work. Examines and applies moral principles to historically famous cases in manufacturing, human resources, management, engineering, health care, and computing.
Prerequisite(s):

• BCIT ENGL 1177, or 6 credits BCIT Communication at 1100-level or above, or 3 credits of a university/college first-year social science or humanities course.

​This course provides students with opportunities to analyze and critique an Environmental Engineering project by comparing and contrasting regulatory requirements and technical components with another Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) types of projects. Students learn skills to raise arguments about stakeholder consultation, methods used to evaluate impacts of a new or an existing project on ecosystems, conditions of acceptance of that project, and present critiques in a professional manner.
Prerequisite(s):

• 3 credits of Technical Communication Co-Requisite (MUST be taken concurrently): EENG 7440

​This course introduces students to the basics of laboratory report writing and develops the skills needed to write effective laboratory reports in the Environmental Engineering field. Topics include: defining the scope, presenting results in tabular and graphical form with correct captions, writing the discussion and conclusions, and report formatting. Students will write and edit a laboratory report for one of their Environmental Engineering courses.
Prerequisite(s):

• 3 credits of Technical Communication Co-Requisite (MUST be taken concurrently): EENG 7445

​The growing attention of the society to air quality and climate change along with the need for its mitigation and adaptation, requires knowledge of atmospheric characteristics, processes, observations, and data collection/ processing. This course discusses air quality in terms of atmospheric physics and chemistry. The students are introduced to atmospheric structure and processes, meteorology, emission sources and inventories, indoor and outdoor, urban, regional and global air quality issues, and regulation. An introduction to dispersion modeling with demonstration of SCREEN regulatory modeling tool as methods of linking emissions to air quality are also presented. The Adaptive Management strategy is covered through theory and case studies.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program

​This course summarizes the five main processes in the management of contaminated sites: site audit, site investigation, sampling, risk assessment, and treatment and monitoring. Further, it gives students the basic knowledge and skills to perform a site audit and investigation. Case histories will be used as examples to demonstrate the principles of environmental site assessments (ESAs) and environmental site investigations (PSIs and DSIs). In addition, this course highlights the importance of site characterization in terms of soil, water, and sediment, as an essential and integral part of the overall management of contaminated sites. It also focuses on the role of the site investigator in the implementation of a phased planning approach to obtain proper data to characterize site contamination, evaluate remedial alternatives and assess risks. The course promotes a scientific approach for evaluating and selecting options to manage site contamination, including treatment, removal or containment. Finally, the course looks at the role of risk assessment in managing contaminated sites and an overview of the evaluation and design processes for site remediation.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7415

​This course covers the sources of municipal wastewater, factors that affect wastewater flow, measurement of wastewater flow and strength, effects of effluent discharges on the receiving environment, legislation, onsite treatment, screening, comminution, grit removal, flow equalization, the principles of primary sedimentation and secondary treatment including suspended growth, attached growth, and secondary clarification, effluent disinfection, and sludge processing. Practical and operational aspects will be emphasized. Course further discusses characteristics of industrial wastewater, waste minimization, pre-treatment requirements, flow and quality, quality equalization, neutralization, and oil-water separation. Sustainable solutions for wastewater treatment such as conserving space, energy and chemical use will be discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7405

​This course will cover drinking water quality and associated public health concerns. Particular emphasis will be placed on the multiple-barrier concept for the inactivation of microorganisms, as well as the preservation of distribution system water quality. A substantial portion of the course will deal with practical design of commonly used treatment processes for the production of potable water. The course further identifies state of practice standards for Integrated Water Resource Management tools, designs and integrated strategies. Best practice case studies examine opportunities for innovative Integrated Water Resource Management systems for the 21st Century. Adaptive strategies coming to the fore as a result of climate change impacts are discussed. Innovative approaches to stakeholder engagement in a culture of openness and accountability are explored.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7405

​The course starts off with defining the main goals of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process: gathering comprehensive information on potential projects with respect to the foreseen impacts; public, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholder engagement in the early stages of the process; and evaluating projects' compatibility with the community's sustainable development strategies. The stages of the EIA along with the tools used in the process, such as Geographic Information System (GIS), are discussed. Case studies from a variety of industrial sectors are critically analyzed in order to invoke learners' understanding primarily of common but also specific technical elements and components of various projects, and consequently the magnitude and nature of their effects on Valued Environmental Components (VECs). Examples of recent assessment projects will be presented as case studies. Applicable regulations and guidelines are also discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in COMM 7500^† (^† may be taken concurrently)
• Admission to EENG program

​This course covers some of the sampling strategies, design and implementation of sampling plans, and analytical methods used to determine common pollutants in ambient and indoor air, water and wastewater. The students also practice the interpretation of results. Major industrial pollution issues, typical chemical species, their impacts and environmental concerns are discussed. Field and lab safety, calibration of instruments and practical application of instrumentation in accordance with standard sampling and testing methods and regulations are covered in the laboratory periods.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in COMM 8510^† and 50% in EENG 7420 (^† may be taken concurrently)
• Admission to EENG program

​The course starts off with providing an overview of the Canadian legal system and fundamentals of environmental law and policy. The roles of federal, provincial, and local governments as well as Indigenous peoples in environmental protection and sustainable development are explained. Current environmental issues will be covered as case studies in light of laws and regulations. Course continues with a focus on the key elements of sustainability management systems (SMS) and processes involved in managing the environmental and health and safety aspects of an operation or organization. Students will learn how to develop and implement a SMS, which integrates sustainability into consideration and management of environmental aspects of an organization as well as the laws, policies, commitments, regulations and other drivers.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7200

​This course provides an introduction to the principles of toxicology, specifically: toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and toxicodynamics (acute, chronic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects). Environmental risk assessment methods for a variety of environmental issues will be presented. The principles of hazard, receptor, and pathway interrelationships and mitigation methods will be used to assess risk and risk management methods. Topics will include toxicity, chemical partitioning (air, water, sediment, soil, groundwater, biota), problem formulation, exposure assessment, risk characterization, and risk management methods. Specific ecological and human health risk assessment techniques required under BC regulations will be presented. The methods of risk management and implementation will be discussed and students will have the opportunity to make an open house style presentation of risk assessment and management applicable to their field of study.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7420 and 50% in EENG 7425 and 50% in EENG 7445

​Integrated Solid Waste Management gives the student an overview of municipal solid waste management including collection, transfer, transport, and disposal. Methods of processing, basic disposal facilities, disposal options, and the economic and environmental issues of solid waste management will be covered in this course. In addition, this course provides the student with relevant information about municipal solid waste reduction and recycling systems including technology, communications, financial aspects, and numerical modelling. Topics include: the basis and impact of the 3 Rs on waste management systems, industry examples, recycling and recovery of paper, cardboard, metals, plastic, oil, glass, and other commodities, new uses of recycling and recovery, the basics of composting and other organic waste management methods, design of plants, and markets. Hazardous wastes, types and management strategies will also be discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program

​This course provides an overview of different methods and technologies used to control the release of air pollutants from industrial sources. The different types of contaminants, including dangerous goods and hazardous wastes and the governing regulations are discussed. A particular emphasis will be given to combustion process and its material and energy balances in order to quantify emission rates. The basic design principles of the various technologies, their application and effectiveness in terms of energy consumption, multimedia impacts are discussed. Sustainable pollution prevention planning will be introduced. Cost analysis and economic considerations of the selected control techniques will be discussed through examples. The knowledge of fluid dynamics and gas laws are required for this course.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7405 and 50% in EENG 7420

​Introduces fundamental concepts of surveying with applications for applied waste management and contaminated sites. Topics include an introduction to the survey methodology, survey instrumentation, methods for determining horizontal positions and elevations, including position determination using GPS satellite technology. This course will introduce the learner to some of the sampling techniques and analytical methods used to determine common pollutants in groundwater, sediment and soil. Major industrial pollution issues, typical chemical species, and environmental partitioning are discussed during the lecture periods. Field and lab safety, the use of field equipment in accordance with proper procedures are covered in the laboratory periods. The sampling exercises include: soil and ground water sampling techniques as they would pertain to using a drill rig, backhoe and hand augers; ground water sampling from existing installations, development and testing of monitoring wells.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7415 and 50% in EENG 7425 and 50% in EENG 7445 and 50% in EENG 8405^† (^† may be taken concurrently)

​The learners are presented to a variety of research methods and techniques needed for the preparation of their graduating and research projects in general. Starting off with critical analysis of scientific papers both from natural and social sciences, learners are preparing background information for their research, annotated bibliographies, literature review and selecting appropriate research methods. Quantitative and qualitative research methods will be presented along with examples for their application. Preparation and presentation of project proposal which also includes proposing sustainable solutions and recommendations are the main goal of the course
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in COMM 7500 and 50% in COMM 8510 and 50% in EENG 7200 and 50% in EENG 7400 and 50% in EENG 7410 and 50% in EENG 7425 and 50% in EENG 7430 and 50% in EENG 7435 and 50% in EENG 7440 and 50% in EENG 7445 and 50% in LIBS 7002

​This course assists students enrolled in their Capstone Project course. Students conduct a systematic literature review including techniques for proper referencing of all sources. As they form their project report, students have opportunity for feedback on the logical flow and clarity of their written report, Topics include literature reviews, report organization, document design, editing techniques, and use of proper citation.
Prerequisite(s):

• COMM 7500 and COMM 8510
• EENG 8460^‡ (^‡ must be taken concurrently)

​This course provides an introduction to the principles of green building and ecocities through a review of select projects, rating systems and sustainability frameworks. The course will develop student's understanding of the current context of green building and sustainable design in British Columbia, including the business case for green building and the ecological principles for the planning and renewal of cities. Students will become familiar with participatory, integrated design processes, and the coordination of green building activities. The course will include a review of green building rating systems with an emphasis on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED v4) Rating System, and the Living Building Challenge. Students will participate in weekly discussions, reading assignments and group activities that explore the topic of green building and sustainable communities, best practices and the relationship between various concepts and approaches.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7200

​The energy sector is one of the main contributors to poor air quality, greenhouse gas (GHG) and consequently climate change. There is an absolute need to work on more efficient and cleaner systems. Central district energy systems (DES) in Canada are rapidly developing not only to lower the conventional energy consumptions but also to allow the system to easily adopt carbon-neutral local energy sources. This course explains the main components of DES with different examples in Canada. The Regional and global solar, wind and hydropower resources as well as capture and utilization technologies are covered. Geothermal technology which relies on the thermal energy stored in the earth's crust, most recent biomass and bioenergy technologies which considers available energy in organic material and waste-to-energy technology are also covered in this course. The main engineering, environmental, and socio-economic issues for different modes of renewable energy use will be discussed.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7405 and 50% in EENG 7400

Effective projects must be completed on time and on budget. Sustainability requires addressing environmental and social concerns, and the economic conditions that impact and drive projects. This course introduces the principles of project management based on the standard Project Management Institute framework. Management concepts cover all knowledge areas and process groups. Environmental project is used as a case study to illustrate the project management topics and to introduce students to the three spheres of sustainable project management. Students will apply project management principles and include environmental considerations such as ecological impacts during project planning, implementation, and after commissioning as well as use environmental performance assessment tools. A significant portion of the course will be dedicated to communication strategies involving stakeholder engagement, negotiations, Indigenous Peoples communication and consultation, frequency and timing of public consultation and/or involvement as well as social considerations.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 7200

​The goal of the course is to provide the student with an opportunity to work independently on an applied research project associated with an environmental or sustainable development issue or procedure. Under the supervision of an academic adviser, the student will review a research proposal (Developed in EENG 8430) outlining the project scope, goals, methods and deliverables. The research project options include either a systematic review of literature with recommendations for a future project or initiative; or a data gathering study that follows an established quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research design. The project will involve but not be limited to: (1) A comprehensive review and synthesis of existing research or information from published literature, industrial or governmental reports, or policy analysis with a recommendations chapter or further research proposal; (2) A case study or a survey related to environmental or sustainability aspects of technology, resource industry, energy, etc.; (3) A correlational study; or (4) A field or a laboratory experiment. Students will learn to rely on their critical thinking and analytical skills to investigate, evaluate, and synthesize collected data or information in order to provide comprehensive conclusions and recommendations resulting from their research.
Prerequisite(s):

• All Term 1, 2, 3 courses. Co-Requisite (MUST be taken concurrently): COMM 8590. Co-Requisite(s) (either as Prerequisite or Concurrently): EENG 8425, AND EENG 8435, AND EENG 8440, AND (EENG 8445 or EENG 8450).

​This course introduces various aspects of landfill planning, operations, and design and utilizes practical examples from landfills in BC. Acts and Regulations governing landfills, industry research, and operational improvements over time are evaluated. Acts and Regulations governing environmental impacts stemming from landfill operations are also presented. State-of-the-art environmental control strategies currently in use are illustrated. Potential environmental impacts are analyzed. An overview of potential hazardous wastes will be introduced. Practical strategies for minimizing leachate generation, surface water run-off, landfill gas generation and composition, odour, litter, animal, and dust control are evaluated.
Prerequisite(s):

• 50% in EENG 8410

​This course focuses on sustainability of the petroleum (oil and gas) and mining industry with emphasis on environmental impacts associated with extraction, production, storage, distribution and utilization of industrial products and services. The course discusses oil and gas extraction process, petroleum refining, and mine development and offers commentary on developments in cleaner technologies in the resource sector. The regulatory framework of these industries is also addressed along with adaptive management strategies aimed at preventing ecosystem destruction due to extraction activities. Sustainability management systems, risk communication and emergency response to incidents will also be covered.
Prerequisite(s):

• Admission to EENG program