Study information

Water Resources and Pollution Control - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEWater Resources and Pollution Control CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEECM3158 MODULE CONVENERDr Mohamad Abdel-Aal (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 weeks
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 28
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

With the global population expanding rapidly, wastewater management and the provision of clean drinking water to people across the world will become an increasingly challenging and important pursuit in the coming decades.

This module will acquaint you with current practices in water quality management, including the operational principles of water and wastewater treatment plants. You will learn about the water cycle, methods of treating water and wastewater so it can be reused. Water quality is strictly regulated by most countries, and so it is imperative that engineers around the world continually improve methods of ensuring a safe supply. 

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module develops understanding of the water cycle, flow dynamics and water quality in natural systems. It aims to demonstrate how engineering design can protect hydraulic systems, address water scarcity and pollution, and advance sustainable water resource management.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes. The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. Apply knowledge of science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. (C1 and M1)

2. Analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principle. (C2 and M2)

3. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, recognising the limitations of the techniques employed. (C3 and M3)

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4. Design/analyse solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, environmental and user needs. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety and environmental matters, codes of practice and industry standards (C5 and M5)

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge: 

5. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used (C17 and M17)

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Water Cycle and Hydrology 

  • Rainfall variability: temporal, spatial, intensity and duration patterns. 

  • Evapotranspiration and infiltration: water movement and loss in natural systems. 

  • Hydrograph analysis: unit and synthetic hydrographs. 

  • Hydrological modelling: river routing, reservoir routing. 

  • Groundwater systems: flow dynamics and recharge processes. 

Water and Wastewater Treatment 

  • Water uses: domestic, agricultural, industrial. 

  • Water quality: related diseases, viruses, requirements. 

  • Pollutant characteristics: BOD, COD, TOC. 

  • Treatment Processes:    

                     ​Preliminary: screening, grit removal.

                     Primary: sedimentation.

                     Secondary: activated sludge processes.

                     Tertiary: filtration, disinfection, and disinfection by-product control. 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 44 Guided Independent Study 106 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 22 Tutorials
Guided independent study 106 Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Not applicable      

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 20 Written Exams 80 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam – closed book 80 2 hours - January Exam 1-5 (C2, M2, C3, M3, C5, M5, C17, M17)  As per university procedure
Coursework 20 Up to 10 pages detailed solution of coursework problems 1-5 (C2, M2, C3, M3, C5, M5, C17, M17)  Written and verbal on general points in class or by email

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
All above Written exam (100% - 2 hours) 1-5 (C2, M2, C3, M3, C5, M5, C17, M17)  Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework and/or exam in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. 

 

Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single written exam worth 100% of the module. As it is a referral, the mark will be capped at 40%. 

 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module:

Mays, L. Water Resources Engineering, 2020, 3rd, Wiley. ISBN: 9781119636465 

Gray N F Water Technology, Arnold, 1999. ISBN: 000-0-340-67645-0

Tebbutt, T.H.Y Principles of Water Quality Control, 1998, Butterworth Heinemann,1998. ISBN: 000-0-750-63658-0

Linsley, R.K., Franzini, J.B, Freyberg, D.L. and Tchobanoglous, G Water Resources Engineering, 1992, McGrawHill. ISBN: 0-071-12689-9

Mihelcic, J R, Zimmerman, J B. Environmental Engineering: Fundamentals, sustainability, design, 2009, John Wiley and Sons. ISBN: 978-0470165058

Butler, D., Digman, C., Makropoulos, C., Davies, J.W. Urban Drainage, 2024, 5th, CRC Press. ISBN: 978-1032513317

Wilson, E.M.M., Engineering Hydrology, 1990, 4th, Red Globe Press. ISBN: 978-0333517178

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Gray N F Water Technology Arnold 1999 000-0-340-67645-0
Set Tebbutt, T.H.Y Principles of Water Quality Control Butterworth Heinemann 1998 000-0-750-63658-0
Set Linsley, R.K., Franzini, J.B, Freyberg, D.L. and Tchobanoglous, G. Water Resources Engineering McGrawHill 1992 0-071-12689-9
Set Mihelcic, J R, Zimmerman, J B Environmental Engineering: Fundamentals, sustainability, design John Wiley and sons 2009 978-0470165058
Set Mays, L Water Resources Engineering 2nd Wiley 2011 978-0470460641
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 3 (NQF level 6) AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Friday 22nd March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 18th September 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Hydrogeology; infiltration; rainfall; runoff; hydrograph; routing; reservoir; groundwater; water use; water and wastewater treatment processes; sustainable urban drainage systems; water issues in developing countries.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.