University of Toledo Chemical & Environmental Engineering

 

Proposed curriculum for Environmental Chemical Engineering Option:

Goals and Objectives

Current industrial needs require that all chemical engineers be aware of environmental issues when designing new chemical facilities or in modification to existing ones. The environmental option allows chemical engineering students to apply engineering principles in the development of environmentally conscious chemical processes. Greater background in the sciences is provided in this option to allow the environmental specialist greater flexibility in understanding the environmental impact of current or proposed new practices. Specific examples of current concepts are provided to demonstrate current practice. The current trend toward pollution prevention is emphasized.

Upon completion of this option, the environmental chemical engineer will be able to analyze chemical processes for their environmental impact, suggest modifications to processes to minimize the production of wastes, and develop treatment alternatives for waste streams that cannot be eliminated. The environmental chemical engineer provides an important bridge between the process engineer and the waste treatment specialist.

Course Requirements

The following suggested courses amplify the course requirements for a B.S. in chemical engineering. Unless otherwise stated, the suggested courses correspond to specifying electives that should be taken, rather than new course requirements. Thus, a student completing an Environmental Chemical Engineering option will still receive the B.S. ChE.

Mathematics and Basic Science (35 hrs)

  1. Genl’l Chem I, II plus lab (10 hrs)
  2. Physics I & II (10 hrs)
  3. Calculus I,II, and III, Differential Equations (15 hrs)

Advanced Science (18 hrs)

  1. Organic Chemistry I and II, plus labs (8 hrs)
  2. Ecology, plus lab (BIOL3050/3060, 4 hrs) – replaces P Chem II, plus Adv Chem Lab (5 hrs), requires waiver of BIOL 2150 as pre-requisite
  3. Environmental Geochemistry (GEOL4220, 3 hrs) – replaces Advanced Science Elective.
  4. Hazardous Waste Management (GEOL4450, 3 hrs) – replaces a free elective.

Environmental Engineering Core (12 hrs)

  1. Environmental Law (CIVE 4680, 3 hrs)
  2. Industrial Waste Treatment (CHEE 4160, 3 hrs)
    Discussion of and solution to the environmental problems of the chemical industry, with emphasis on the minimization of inorganic wastes from process effluent streams. Methods for minimizing the emissions of air pollutants including NOX, SO2 and particulates. Recovery of metals and other inorganic species from liquid effluent streams.
  3. Process Waste Treatment (CHEE 4170, 3 hrs)
    Discussion of and solution to the environmental problems of the chemical industry, with emphasis on the minimization of organic wastes from process effluent streams. Methods for recovery or treatment of VOCs in air streams, including automotive emissions. Oxidation and reduction technologies for conversion of organic wastes to innocuous effluents. Recovery of organic species through mass transfer operations.
  4. Pollution Prevention (CHEE 4110, 3 hrs)
    Legal aspects of pollution prevention. Process integration, Pinch analysis, Intelligent process design and control, Mass exchange networks. Environmentally conscious selection of raw materials.

Chemical Engineering Required Courses (37 hrs)

  1. Orientation and Computing (CHEE 1000, 3 hrs)
  2. Mass & Energy Balances (CHEE2010, 3hrs)
  3. Separations (CHEE3030, 3 hrs)
  4. Thermodynamics I (CHEE2230, 3 hrs)
  5. Thermodynamics II (ChEE2330, 3 hrs)
  6. Fluid Mechanics (CHEE2110, 3 hrs)
  7. Heat and Mass Transfer (CHEE3040, 3 hrs)
  8. Process Control, plus lab (CHEE3400, 4 hrs)
  9. Reactor Design (CHEE3300, 3 hrs)
  10. Chemical Process Economics and Design (CHEE4520, 3 hrs)
  11. CHEE Lab (CHEE4500, 3 hrs)
  12. Chemical Process Simulation and Design (CHEE 4540, 3 hrs)

Free electives: (5 hrs)

Humanities, Social Science electives: (15 hrs)

There are several courses offered throughout the university that would fulfill the college H/SS/MC requirements. Based primarily on the recommended course list for the Environmental Studies option, the following courses would be suggested:

  1. Political Science 4340 (Environmental Policy and Administration)
  2. Economics 4240 (Environmental and National Resource Economics)
  3. Philosophy 3180 (Environmental Ethics)

Additional H/SS/MC courses would still be required to fulfill the college and ABET requirements. These would remain as electives.

English requirements: (6 hrs)

  1. English Composition (ENGL1110, 3 hrs)
  2. Technical Writing (ENGL2950, 3 hrs)