Course Syllabus

Hazardous Waste Management

EEES 4450/5450, Fall 2009, 3 credit hours

 

Instructor: Dr. Alison L. Spongberg

            Office: BOL 3086-F, Telephone: x4091

            Lab:  BOL 3059, Telephone x2986

            e-mail: aspongb@utnet.utoledo.edu

            Office Hours: By appointment or drop in M or W from 9-11 or 1-3.

 

Scheduled class time: T, Th 9:30-10:45, FH 1270

Please turn all cell phones OFF before the beginning of class.

 

Course Objective:  To introduce the student to various environmental topics, including (1) the properties of hazardous waste, (2) environmental regulations in the United States concerning hazardous waste disposal practices, and (3) the pros and cons of specific disposal practices.

 

Reading Assignments: http://utoledo.edu/as/envsciences/faculty/spongberg.html under the Courses link.

 

Tentative Course Outline  (subject to change):

 

            1.          Introduction, Laws, RCRA

            2.          Risk assessment, Superfund

            3.          Toxicology, government standards for drinking water, etc

            4.          Fate and transport of pollutants in the environment

            5.          Monitoring wells and Multi-fluid flow

            6.          Biotic properties of soil, bioremediation

            7.          Landfills

            8.          Other Disposal and remediation technologies

            9.          Radioactive waste disposal

         10.          Medical waste

         11.          Class projects

 

Grading: This class is graded differently from other classes. Much of your final grade is based on attendance.  You are allowed two absences for any reason (illness, hangover, good weather).  After that you will have a grade reduction of 4 pts per class.  There will be several in-class and outside assignments given at the beginning of the class period. Each will be worth from 10-15 points. Total is another 2/5 of your final grade.  No make-up quizzes or assignments will be given and late assignments are not accepted.  There is a class presentation that is worth the final 1/5.  Because each class is unique, these fractions may change.

 

Class Projects: Each student will be required to hand in to me at a specific date to be announced in class a brief summary of a particular topic, including the most useful or instructive websites on that subject.  Details of this assignment will be discussed during the first week of class.

 

  1. We will divide the class into groups that will investigate a particular environmental issue in depth.  Each member of the group is required to make a 15-20 minute presentation of their aspect of the topic. The whole group will provide me with the final Powerpoint presentation.