Course Outline
CIV304 Water and Wastewater
Course Coordinator:William Clarke (wclarke@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
2026Trimester 2
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
This course develops knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with water and wastewater treatment systems in urban environments. To meet these objectives, you will 1) develop specific knowledge on elements of urban water and wastewater management systems, their functions, modes of operation, and design standards, 2) acquire skills to undertake engineering investigation and design of each of these elements, and 3) integrate them in the design of urban water and wastewater infrastructure to facilitate sustainable urban catchment development and water resource utilization.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Asynchronous weekly learning material | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
| Seminar – On campus | 1hr | Week 1 | 3 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 1 | 10 times |
| Laboratory 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 2 | 5 times |
Course Topics
Topics may include:
- Various water and wastewater systems in an urban environment
- Functions and modes of operation of urban water and wastewater systems and processes
- Influence of climate variability on urban requirements in terms of supply of potable water and disposal of wastewater
- Examination of the water supply system, stormwater management system, sewerage system and the interface between these systems.
- Different water quality parameters used to monitor quality
What level is this course?
300 Level (Graduate)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Competencies from multiple Professional Bodies (see below) * | |
| 1 | Identify parameters and methods used to define water quality | Knowledgeable |
1, 1, 1.3.a, 1.3.a, 1.3, 1.3 |
| 2 | Describe the characteristics of water and wastewater and explain the processes involved in water and wastewater treatment. | Knowledgeable |
1, 1, 1.3.a, 1.3.a, 1.3, 1.3 |
| 3 | Synthesize optimal solutions for unit processes of water and wastewater treatment. | Creative and critical thinker |
2, 2, 2.1.a, 2.1.a, 2.1, 2.1 |
| 4 | Apply concepts of efficiency and better water management to urban water and wastewater management scenarios. |
Creative and critical thinker Sustainability-focussed |
2, 2, 2.1.h, 2.1.h, 2.1, 2.1 |
| 5 | Perform laboratory experiments to calculate pump curves and evaluate water quality and treatment methods. | Empowered |
2, 2, 2.2.h, 2.2.h, 2.2, 2.2 |
| 6 | Apply key concepts of sustainability and water conservation in the creation of water and wastewater treatment and management facilities. | Sustainability-focussed |
1, 1, 1.6.c, 1.6.c, 1.6, 1.6 |
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Engineers Australia Stage 1 Engineering Technologist Competency Standards | |
| 1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
| 1.3.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the technology domain: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills to deliver engineering outcomes in specialist area(s) of the technology domain and associated industry, commercial and community sectors. |
| 1.6.c | Knowledge and Skill Base - Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the technology domain: Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice. |
| 1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the technology domain. |
| 1.6 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the technology domain. |
| 2 | Elements of competency: Engineering Application Ability |
| 2.1.a | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions. |
| 2.1.h | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Identifies, quantifies, mitigates and manages technical, health, environmental, safety and other contextual risks associated with engineering application in the technology domain. |
| 2.2.h | Engineering Application Ability - Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain: Safely applies laboratory, test and experimental procedures appropriate to the technology domain. |
| 2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain. |
| 2.2 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain. |
| Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
| 1.3.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline. |
| 1.6.c | Knowledge and Skill Base - Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline: Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice. |
| 1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
| 1.6 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. |
| 2 | Elements of competency: Engineering Application Ability |
| 2.1.a | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions. |
| 2.1.h | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Identifies, quantifies, mitigates and manages technical, health, environmental, safety and other contextual risks associated with engineering application in the designated engineering discipline. |
| 2.2.h | Engineering Application Ability - Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources: Safely applies laboratory, test and experimental procedures appropriate to the engineering discipline. |
| 2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
| 2.2 | Engineering Application Ability: Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
CIV202 or MEC200 or ENG211
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
CIV400
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
Microcredential Information
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
In all tutorials, throughout trimester, students will be asked to complete sample quiz questions assessment tasks. Feedback will be given to students throughout the trimester.
Assessment tasks
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Oral and Written Piece | Group | 40% | 2000 word report + 10 minute presentation |
Week 6 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 2 | Artefact - Professional | Individual | 30% | 2000 words |
Week 12 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 30% | 1 hour per quiz |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Planning Stage Design of a Water and Sewer Network | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | Planning Stage Design of a Water and Sewer Network |
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| Product: | Oral and Written Piece | ||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||
| Format: | Written planning level assessment and design report with adherence to the design recommendations of the relevant codes and standards. Present your findings and design in a 10 minute presentation. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation |
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| All - Assessment Task 2:Hydraulic and Treatment Capacity Assessment and Upgrade Recommendations for a Wastewater Treatment Plant | ||||||||||
| Goal: | Assess the hydraulic and treatment capacity of an existing wastewater treatment plant to identify limitations for a future upgrade. Recommend changes to address these limitations |
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| Product: | Artefact - Professional | |||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||
| Format: | Professional report |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 3:Quizzes | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | Demonstrate understanding of any or all materials covered in the course. |
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| Product: | Quiz/zes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | An examination on any or all materials covered in the course. Quiz 1 will be in Week 7 and Quiz 2 in Week 12. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Problem solving, Information literacy |
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Directed study hours
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | Metcalf & Eddy Inc. | 2013 | Wastewater Engineering | 5 | McGraw-Hill Higher Education |
Specific requirements
Not applicable
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
Assessment: Submission penalties
Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty
Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.
For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: