Environmental Sciences Laboratories I

Code:

EA0061

Acronym:

LCA I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Environmental Sciences

Instance: 2012/2013 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Environmental Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEA	47	Syllabus since 2006/07	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Familiarization with laboratory safety procedures.

Acquisition of elementary knowledge in the measurement of fundamental physical and chemical variables.

Acquisition of basic concepts of microbiology.

Learning outcomes and competences

To acquire knowledge of Quantitative Analytical Chemistry (volumetric and gravimetric analyzes).
To acquire knowledge of the basic rules of a laboratory of microbiology.

 To acquire knowledge of the basic techniques of Microbiology and the stages of microbial growth and characterization of its kinetics.
To acquire knowledge of the separation of solids by physical methods using their differential properties.
To acquire basic technical knowledge regarding the measurement of physical variables.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Students should know how to calculate concentration and have knowledge of the material properties.

Program

Chemistry laboratory techniques: safety, solids and liquids manipulation; mass and volume measurement. Solution preparation and patterning. Volumetric and gravimetric analysis. With these objectives, students will be able to carry out the following practical assignments:

1. Solution preparation, dilution and patterning;

2.  Determination of total and permanent hardness of water (wastewater or consumable water);

3. Determination of concentration of suspended solids and dissolved in wastewater;

4. Determination of sulphate in water.

 

Laboratory techniques in Microbiology:

-Microorganisms propagation;

- Competitive growth of mixed cultures with nutrient limitation in aerobiosis and anaerobiosis;

- Kinetics of microbial growth in batch;

- Observation of microorganisms that may exist in effluents.

 

Laboratory techniques of characterization and separation of solid products:

- Sampling techniques and sample preparation;

- Separation/recovery techniques of solid products using different physical processes.

 

Laboratory techniques of physical characterization:

1. Determination of density by pycnometer;

2. Determination of volume mass;

3. Determination of humidity;

4. Determination of weight loss vs. temperature;

5. Execution of fusion tests.

Mandatory literature

Madigan, Michael T; Brock biology of microorganisms. ISBN: 0-13-049147-0
Wills, Barry A.; Mineral processing technology. ISBN: 0-7506-2838-3
Clair N. Sawyer, Perry L. McCarty, Gene F. Parkin; Chemistry for environmental engineering and science. ISBN: 0-07-119888-1
Arthur I. Vogel; A text-book of quantitative inorganic analysis

Complementary Bibliography

Direcção Geral da Qualidade; Catálogo das normas portuguesas 1981
Simões, José A. Martinho 070; Guia do Laboratório de Química e Bioquímica. ISBN: 972-757-146-8
Holman, J. P.; Experimental Methods for Engineers. ISBN: 0-07-113345-3
Eaton, Andrew D. 340; Standard methods for the examination of water & wastewater. ISBN: 0-87553-047-8
Freitas, Susana Margarida dos Santos; Inventariação e análise das normas de qualidade para aplicação de inertes na construção civil
Amorim, Fernando Carlos Teixeira de; Normas, especificações técnicas e ensaios para o controlo de qualidade dos inertes

Teaching methods and learning activities

Execution of scheduled laboratory tests. Short presentations of the adequate procedures. Use of five different laboratories in a rotational system.

Software

Office 2000

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	68,00	44,00
	Trabalho escrito	3,00	25,00	2013-03-22
	Exame	1,00	6,00	2013-04-05
	Trabalho escrito	3,00	25,00	2013-05-31
	Total:	-	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
	Frequência das aulas	68	2013-05-24
	Estudo autónomo	18	2013-05-24
	Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	13	2013-05-31
	Total:	99,00

Eligibility for exams

Laboratory classes are mandatory to all students. If students need to miss a class, they should inform the professor in order to carry out the missing assignment in another class.

Students, who do not complete this course unit, have to attend it again in the following academic year.

Calculation formula of final grade

FINAL GRADE (FG): Final Grade comprises the assessment of all practical classes (PC) and two group reports (REP) and the following formula will be used: FG=0.5*REP+0.5*PC, in which:

 

-          REP= 0.5 REP1 + 0.5*REP2.

One of the reports has to be based on the module of Chemistry (REP1) and the other one will be selected between the rest of the modules (REP2). The maximum number of pages should be not higher than 10. The minimum grade is 7 (out of 20).

 

-          PC= (4*PCChem+3*PCMic+3* PCMin+ 2*PCMet)/12.

 

PCChem –The Assessment of the Chemistry module comprises the Continuous Assessment of the classes (65%) and a Quiz (35%) to be performed at the end of the module. The Continuous Assessment of the classes will be based on the assessment of laboratory notebook, where all the preparation of the assignments should be on (10%); students’ performance at the laboratory (30%); assessment of the results and discussion, which has to be delivered seven days after the completion of the assignment (20%); behaviour and assiduity (5%). The quiz will held in the 5^th of April, and the minimum grade is 7 (out of 20).

PCMic - Continuous Assessment of the Microbiology module – it will be based on results sheets which have to delivered a week after the last experimental session (40%); students’ performance during class (30%); quality of the results obtained (30%). Delays and non previous preparation of the experimental assignment will be penalized.

 PCMin - Continuous Assessment of the Mines module - it will be based on the following criteria: students’ performance at the laboratory (30%); quality of the results obtained (15%); assessment of the mini-report with results and discussion to be delivered seven days after the completion of the assignment (50%); behaviour and assiduity (5%).

PCMet - Continuous Assessment of the Metallurgy module – it will be based on the following criteria: previous preparation of the assignment (25%); students’ performance at the laboratory (30%); assessment of the mini-report with results and discussion to be delivered seven days after the completion of the assignment (40%); punctuality (5%).