Course Syllabus
Biochemical Processes in Environmental Engineering
CE546/446
Fall 2025
3 Credits
CE 341 Introduction of Environmental Engineering
Course Details
Day and Time: [tbd]
Meeting Location: [tbd]
Instructor Contact Information
Instructor Name: Kuang Zhu
Instructor Contact Information: Office: PACCAR 446, Email: kuang.zhu@wsu.edu
Instructor Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
TA Name: [tbd]
TA Contact Information: [office location, phone, email]: [tbd]
TA Office Hours: [click here for best practices] [tbd]
Course Description
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of microbiological processes used for environmental protection and improvement. These fundamental concepts are applied to engineered processes with an emphasis on wastewater management and resource recovery from waste streams, although biological processes for drinking water production will also be discussed. Based on this course you should be able to evaluate the performance of existing wastewater treatment plants and future designs using your basic process understanding, mathematical modeling tools, and knowledge obtained from the current literature.
Course Materials
Books:
C. P. Leslie Grady Jr., Glen T. Daigger, Nancy. G. Love, and Carlos D. M. Filipe (2011), Biological Wastewater Treatment Third Edition. Co-published by IWA Publishing, London, UK
Bruce E. Rittmann and Perry L. McCarty (2020), Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Education, New York, NY
Metcalf & Eddy Inc. (2013) Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, NY
Fees: N/A
|
Course Learning Outcomes (students will be able to:) |
Activities Supporting the Learning Outcomes | Assessment of the Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
|
Apply knowledge of math, science, and engineering to understand and utilize biochemical processes |
Lectures, in-class discussions |
Homework assignments, quizzes, and exams |
| Ability to identify, formulate, and solve environmental engineering problems using biochemical processes |
Stoichiometry, kinetics, energetics, mass balance, suspended growth systems, and attached growth systems Lectures, in-class discussions |
Homework assignments, quizzes, and exams |
| Gain knowledge of contemporary environmental issues and solutions using biochemical processes |
Recent environmental engineering topics in the local, national, and global news Lectures, in-class discussions |
Homework assignments |
| Dates | Lesson Topic | Assignment | Due dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Week 1 |
Course overview |
TBD | |
| Week 2 [dates] |
Introduction of wastewater biological treatment |
HW1 | TBD |
| Week 3 [dates] |
Energetics | TBD | |
| Week 4 [dates] |
Half reaction and stoichiometry |
HW2 | TBD |
| Week 5 [dates] |
Kinetics |
TBD | |
| Week 6 [dates] |
Theories of ideal suspended reactors 1 |
HW3 | TBD |
| Week 7 [dates] |
Theories of ideal suspended reactors 2 |
TBD | |
| Week 8 [dates] |
Design and evaluation of suspended growth processes |
HW4 | TBD |
| Week 9 [dates] |
Design and evaluation of suspended growth processes |
TBD | |
| Week 10 [dates] |
Introduction to biochemical modeling software - SUMO |
HW5 | TBD |
| Week 11 [dates] |
Biological Nutrient Removal |
TBD | |
| Week 12 [dates] |
Anaerobic Systems |
HW6 | TBD |
| Week 13 [dates] |
Theories of attached growth systems |
TBD | |
| Week 14 [dates] |
Applications of attached growth systems |
HW7 | TBD |
| Week 15 [dates] |
Project presentation | TBD |
Expectations for Student Effort
For a 3-credit class, the lecture time each week is 2.5 hours. Students are also expected to spend at least twice as much, typically 5-8 hours, outside of the lecture to preview class materials before lectures, review course materials after lectures, work on assignments, and attend office hours.
Grading
| Type of Assignment (tests, papers, etc) | Percent of Overall Grade |
|---|---|
| Homework | 20% |
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Exams | 60% |
| Attendance | 10% |
| Grade | Percent | Grade | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| A |
>93% |
C | 70-76.9% |
| A- | 90-92.9% | D+ | 67-69.9% |
| B+ | 87-89.9% | D | 60-66.9% |
| B | 83-86.9% | F | <60% |
| B- | 80-82.9% | ||
| C+ | 77-79.9% |
Attendance and Make-Up Policy
Students need to attend and participate in classes to learn. Attendance is recorded randomly. Missing a homework submission also counts as missing a class. Students can earn extra points by participating in class discussions, including asking questions related to class materials and answering questions. Clarification questions count only if something is not shown in class materials or textbook. A spreadsheet will be used to log student participation so that attendance and extra credits can be calculated at the end of the semester. Cell phone use and computer use will not be tolerated except for note-taking, with the goal of ensuring a constructive learning environment for all students. Arrive on time for lectures. I understand you may have to miss a class meeting for various reasons, sickness, over-commitment, family issues, etc. Each student can miss ONE class with no impact on their grades if prior notice is given. If you are unable to attend more than one lecture, please send me an email with an explanation and evidence of the emergency to avoid impacts on your attendance points. This only applies to extraordinary medical and family emergencies. Other excuses will still result in the deduction of attendance points.
Academic Integrity Statement
You are responsible for reading WSU's Academic Integrity Policy, which is based on Washington State law. If you cheat in your work in this class you will:
-Automatically fail this course
-Be reported to the Center for Community Standards
-Have the right to appeal my decision
-Not be able to drop the course of withdraw from the course until the appeals process is finished
If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do in this course, ask me.
If you want to ask for a change in my decision about academic integrity, use the form at the Center for Community Standards website. You must submit this request within 21 calendar days of the decision.