Environmental Engineering

Total Hours in Course324

Number of hours for lectures6

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes16

Independent study hours302

Date of course confirmation11.09.2019

Responsible UnitInstutute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering

Course developers

Ainavu arhitektūras un vides inženierijas institūts

Ritvars Sudārs

Dr. sc. ing.

Viesturs Jansons

Dr. sc. ing.

Prior knowledge

VidZD012, Research I

Course abstract

The main objective of this course is to provide students with knowledge in a broad range of environmental issues. The course will require an in-depth studies in the foundational concepts of environmental science and sustainable development, as well as in the problems related to soil and water management, water supply and sewerage systems, air pollution, and waste management.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
- Knowledge and understanding in human-environment interaction and its interdependence and impacts.
Evaluation - final examination.
Skills:
- Skills to independently organize and conduct research work by using theoretical background in the selected topics of environmental engineering;
- Abilities to professionally explain and discuss environmental issues as a part of interdisciplinary study area.
Evaluation - final examination.
Competences:
- to formulate and analyze environmental issues in the selected topics of environmental engineering;
- to understand the importance of sustainable use of natural resources, protection of soil, water and air, and preservation of biodiversity;
- to integrate environmental protection measures into specific projects.
Evaluation - final examination.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. The environment as a complex system. Flow of substances and energy. Biogeochemical cycle of substances. (1 h)
2. Classification of natural resources and basic principles of their management. Anthropogenic pressure on the environment, environmental impact assessment (EIA). (1 h)
3. Environmental policy in Latvia and instruments for environmental policy. The environmental legislation system in Latvia and the EU. (2 h)
4. Agro-ecosystems, their structure and functions. Biodiversity. Soil as natural resource and substance for production. (2 h)
5. Types, causes and effects of soil degradation. Soil protection. (1 h)
6. Water cycle in the nature. Water resources. Water management as a part of environmental engineering. (2 h)
7. Surface water and groundwater hydrology, their place in the environmental sciences. Relationship between precipitation and runoff, water balance. (2 h)
8. Characteristic of surface water and groundwater, water quality. Types and sources of water pollution. Pollution control and water protection. (2 h)
9. Water supply systems and their elements. Improvements in water quality. (2 h)
10. Sewerage systems and their elements. Wastewater treatment and discharge into surface waters. Processing and utilization of sewerage sludge. (2 h)
11. Air pollution, substances and sources of air pollution. Emissions of greenhouse gases. Air pollution control and reduction. (2 h)
12. Waste. Types and descriptive parameters of waste. Impacts of waste on the environment and human. (1 h)
13. Waste management, recycling and disposal. (1 h)
14. Environmental protection and economics. Sustainable use of natural resources and implementation of sustainable development. (1 h)

15. Environmental technologies and their development and importance in national economies. (2 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The final examination is successfully passed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Doctoral students study the specific topics as indicated in the study plan.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The study results are evaluated in the final examination - a discussion on the topics defined in the study plan. For qualitative evaluation of the final examination, the 10-point scale is used for grading according to the Study Regulations of LLU:
https://www.llu.lv/sites/default/files/2019-05/Studiju_nolikums_2015_2019_groz%C4%ABts09052019.pdf

Grading in the 10-point scale:

< 40 points - 3 (unsatisfactory)
40 ... 45 points - 4 (almost satisfactory);
46 ... 55 points - 5 (satisfactory);
56 ... 65 points - 6 (almost good);
66 ... 75 points - 7 (good);
76 ... 85 points - 8 (very good);
86 ... 90 points - 9 (excellent);
> 90 points - 10 (with distintion).

Compulsory reading

1. Vides zinātne / Māra Kļaviņa redakcijā. Rīga : LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2008. 599 lpp.
2. Vide un ilgtspējīga attīstība / Māra Kļaviņa un Jāņa Zaļokšņa redakcijā.Rīga : LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2010. 334 lpp.
3. Cunningham, William P. Environmental science: a global concern / William P. Cunningham, Mary Ann Cunningham. 11th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2010. P. 616.
4. Environmental science: understanding, protecting, and managing the environment in the Baltic Sea region / editor Lars Rydén; co-eds: Pawel Migula, Magnus Andersson. Uppsala: Baltic University Press, 2003. P. 824.
5. Sustainable agriculture / editor Christine Jakobsson. Uppsala: Uppsala University, 2012. P. 505.

6. Ūdeņu kvalitāte un tās aizsardzība / Māris Kļaviņš, Pēteris Cimdiņš. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2004. 204 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrijas mājas lapa. [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: http://www.varam.gov.lv
Zemkopības ministrijas mājas lapa. [tiešsaiste]
Pieejams: http://www.zm.gov.lv

VSIA “Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas centrs” mājas lapa. [tiešsaiste] Pieejams: https://www.meteo.lv/

Notes

This study course is compulsory for students of the doctoral study programme in Environmental Engineering.

Atsauksmes