CVEN 601
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING PROCESSES III:
BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES
FALL 2003
Dr. Robin L. Autenrieth
205E WERC
TN: 409-845-3593
FN: 409-862-1542
EM:
Web: http://webct.tamu.edu/engineering/CVEN601/
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Develop an understanding not only of fundamental biological principles, but more advanced biological concepts.
2. Relate these principles to environmental engineering applications in natural systems and engineered systems.
3. Develop the ability to apply your understanding of these biological processes to important environmental problems to optimize existing systems (both natural and engineered) and formulate or evaluate solutions to future environmental problems.
PERSPECTIVE OF COURSE
1. Biology for the Environmental Engineer
a. applied, mathematical approach to biology
b. condensation of many aspects of biology
2. Student participation
a. control pace of class with questions
b. students must keep up with the material
fill “gaps” in knowledge with supplemental reading
review notes prior to class
hand in assignments on time
3. Homework
a. for your practice
for the examinations
to learn the material
to develop quantitative skills
b. develop engineering skills for biological process applications
GRADING
Homework 15%
Quizzes (2) 40% (tentative dates: 10/14, 11/18)
Final Exam 20% (Wednesday, December 17th, 1-3 pm)
Written Report 15%
Oral Report 10%
TEXTBOOK
Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications, B.E. Rittmann and P.L. McCarty, McGraw-Hill, NY, 2001
REFERENCE MATERIALS
Brock Biology of Microorganisms (Biology of Microorganisms), 9th Edition, M. T. Madigan, J.M. Martinko, J. Parker, Prentice-Hall, 2000
Manual of ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, C. Hurst, G. Knudsen, M. McInerney, L. Stetzenbach, M. Walter, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C., 1997
Biochemical Engineering Fundamentals, 2nd Edition, James E. Bailey and David F. Ollis, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1986
Biology, 3rd Edition, Neil A. Campbell, The Benjamin/Cumminds Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1993 or a more recent edition.
Principles of Biochemistry, 2nd Edition, Albert L. Lehninger, David L. Nelson, Michael M. Cox, Worth Publishers, new York, 1993.
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Stephen L. Wolfe, Wadsworth Publishing Company, CA, 1993.
Bioprocess Engineering Basic Concepts, Michael L. Shuler and Fikret Kargi, Prentice Hall, new Jersey, 1992.
Environmental Microbiology, Ralph Mitchell (ed), Wiley-Liss, New York, 1993.
Academic Honesty
The Handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By “handouts,” I mean all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to syllabi, quizzes, exams, lab exercises, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the right to copy the handouts, unless I expressly grant permission.
As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own the ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated. If it is determined that you plagiarized, you will receive a failing grade for the test/assignment/paper.
If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section “Scholastic Dishonesty.”
Some of all examinations will be closed book; retrieval of data, formulae, examples, definitions, etc. from a crib sheet, calculator or other device during these examinations is a violation of Texas A&M University Student Rule 20.1.1. Acquiring Information. Violation of this rule can result in disciplinary action including a grade penalty, up to and including an F in the course, suspension, dismissal, and expulsion from Texas A&M University.
Unless otherwise stated, all homework in this class is expected to be individual work. Copying the work of others, including homework, is a violation of Texas A&M University Student Rule 20.2.2 Acquiring Information.
WRITTEN REPORT
NOTE: YOUR TOPIC MUST BE APPROVED BY THE INSTRUCTOR
- Topic
Ø Current or emerging topics in environmental engineering aspects of biological processes
Ø Choose a professional journal whose format you will follow in preparing your written report to provide guidelines for the structure of the paper, reference format, etc.
Ø Topic must be approved by course instructor.
- Report Content
Ø Written length approximately 20 pages; spacing 1.5
Ø Your paper should be a CRITICAL review of literature on a selected topic NOT a sequential review of collected articles; information is to be integrated topically from relevant articles.
Ø Your report should be thorough and contain references to various types of information sources, e.g. journal articles, government reports, books, etc. from recent (last 5-8 years) publications.
Taking information directly from a source must be properly referenced and quotation marks used for direct quotations.
All figures and tables taken from the literature must be appropriately referenced.
Unless information can be referenced to a physically retrievable source (e.g. paper), it should not be used including information obtained from internet sources.
Ø Include a copy of the author guidelines from the select journal used for your paper format.
CAUTION: Review the regulations regarding PLAGIARISM. This is a serious offense and will result in a failing grade if detected in your report. When plagiarism occurs, it is often because students do not understand the regulations. It is your responsibility to abide by the regulations.
- Schedule
Ø Submit topic – September 30
Ø Submit outline –October 30
Ø Submit written report – December 2 (no extensions granted)
ORAL PRESENTATION
- Topic (same as for written report)
- Presentation
Ø 20 minute presentation to be video taped
Ø Powerpoint (or equivalent software) presentation quality
Ø Electronic and paper copies of presentation materials are due 24 hours prior to the time/date you are scheduled to tape your presentation.
Ø Schedule to be determined (between December 9-18)
- Evaluation
Ø self evaluation
Ø instructor evaluation
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING PROCESSES III
COURSE OUTLINE
TOPIC No. Lectures
I. Introduction 1 9/2
II. Classes of Biomolecules 1 9/4
III. Cell Anatomy and Physiology 1 9/9
A. Basics
B. Environmental significance
IV. Cellular Functions 3 9/11-18
A. Background
B. Contaminant alterations of processes
C. PCR, genetic engineering
V. Protein Form and Function 2 9/23,25
A. Fundamental principles
B. Quantification for process design
C. Biopolymers
VI. Bioenergetics 2 9/30-10/2
A. Gibb’s free energy
B. Redox reactions
C. Electron acceptors in the environment
D. Quantification
Exam #1 Material
V. Microbial Kinetics 4 10/7-21
A. Equilibrium and kinetics
B. Inhibition
C. Modeling
VII. Biofilm Kinetics 2 10/23,28
A. Structure
B. Transport
C. Modeling
X. Reactors 2 10/30-11/4
A. Batch, Plug flow, CSTR
B. Engineering Design
XI. Engineered Biological Systems 6 11/6-12/4
A. Activated sludge
Tour of wastewater treatment plant
B. Lagoons
C. Aerobic biofilms Exam #2 Material
D. Nitrification
E. Denitrification
F. Phosphorus removal
VII. Biodegradation of Xenobiotic Compounds 12/9
Final Exam: Wednesday, December 17th, 1-3 pm