ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL
Syllabus
Updated A.Y. 2019-2020
Course Description
The course focuses on some of the key global environmental challenges that our Planet is currently facing and on the strategies that are being developed to address them both from a policy/legislative perspective and from a technological one.
The main objective of this course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of complex environmental problems and of the main legislative and technical measures for mitigating human impacts on the environment, with specific reference to pollution phenomena. To this aim, the students will be provided with scientific and technical background for understanding and discussing complex environmental issues and possible solutions. In addition, the main aims and contents of international protocols, standards and framework directives, as well as of some of the main procedures and tools developed to manage and assess environmental impacts related to systems, processes or products will be examined.
Based on the knowledge acquired during the course, the students will be able to form their own opinions on global environmental issues and communicate them effectively.
Teaching Method
The course is carried out mainly through lectures and power point presentations prepared by the instructor. However, the active participation of the students will be encouraged through class discussions. One or two field visits to water or waste treatment plants may also be planned, on the basis of the interest of the students. Experts may also be invited to provide lectures on specific topics.
Schedule of Topics
Topic 1 Introduction: overview of environmental sustainability, contamination phenomena in different environmental compartments (air, water and soil), environmental measurements and environmental cycles.
Topic 2 Integrated waste management strategies and technologies. Food waste management
Topic 3 Water quantity and quality issue, management and treatment: EU water framework Directive, traditional treatment processes in developed countries and approaches/technologies for the developing world.
Topic 4 Contaminated sites issue, management and remediation strategies. Case of Brownfield regeneration.
Topic 5 Urban air quality issue and treatment strategies; mitigation strategies for global issues: stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change.
Topic 6 Environmental impact assessment tools (life cycle assessment and environmental footprint).
Topic 7 Environmental quality management tools (environmental management systems, EMAS, Eco-label).
PLEASE FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE COURSE ON THE SYLLABUS IN THE TEACHING MATERIAL SECTION