Clean water is one of the most important assets in environmental issues. This minor is about drinking water, industrial water, wastewater, groundwater, including how to deal with (large-scale) risks. Because Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a useful tool, the basic skills of GIS are also involved in this minor. Soil and Groundwater Remediation is also part of this minor. You will be guided in the wide spectrum of environmental sciences, with the focus on water, on a fundament of chemistry and biology.
In this minor you are challenged to develop sustainable solutions, taking planet, profit and people into account. 
The minor consists of four  Environmental Sciences courses and a supplementary assignment.

1. LMK230VE: Water technology and Soil Remediation 7 credits
2. LMK 231VE: Advanced water technology 7 credits
3. LMK222VE: Dealing with large scale environmental risks    7 credits
4. LMK258VE : Basic GIS                                                          7 credits
5. LMK910VNMI: Supplementary Assignment                         2 credits

 
N.B.: 1 credit = 28 study hours.
More extensive course descriptions can be obtained from the minor coordinator.

Target Group:
Students with two years of study in an (environmental) sciences-oriented or related program at a BSc level, who are interested to learn more about an integrated approach to environmental sciences, water- and other environmental technology issues.

• • LMK222:Dealing with large scale environmental risks:
    After successful completion of this course the student is able to:
    
    - Analyse and evaluate the effects of human activities on organisms,
    ecosystems, biodiversity and different types of landscapes.
    - Apply risk assessment methods in complex situations to map the
      different aspects of sustainability.
    - Take the factors concerning human behavior into account in
      formulating solutions and advices
    - Take the international aspects of environmental issues into account.
    - Research scientific articles and makes a critical assessment of the
      selected material.
    - Formulate a problem description based on the outline of an
      (environmental)problem; make a problem analysis and design a
      methodological adequate research plan.
    - Execute the research plan systematically, and focus on the purpose of
      the research.
    - Apply  simple analytical techniques to data processing.
    - Interpret the outcomes of the research.
    - Present the outcomes of the research to the client in an appropriate
    - Reflect on the used methods and research results.
    - Defend effectively the research plan, its execution, results and
      conclusions.
    - Keep up to date with the current situation and the (global)
      developments in his field of expertise.
    - Show an independent research attitude and acts responsibly.
    
    
  • LMK230VE: Water treatment and soil remediation
    After successful completion of this course the student is able to:

  -Describe water treatment technologies and assess them in specific situations

  -Size waste water treatment plants (WWTP)

  -Operate water treatment techniques at lab scale and combine these techniques in a logical way

  -Describe soil remediation techniques and assess them

  -Choose between different soil remediation techniques in a specific situation of pollution

  -Describe the most important microbial processes in soil remediation and waste water treatment

  -Calculate degradation rates in the soil (predict) in specific situations

  -Calculate transport rates in soils

  -Integrate sustainability and recognize this in the different treatment systems

  -Make simple calculations of heat transport

  • LMK231VE: Advanced Water Technology.
    After successful completion of this course the student is able to:

  -to apply knowledge of different water treatment systems in the field of wastewater and drinking water treatment

  -Discern how to (re)use water from several sources for various applications

  -Perform basic design calculations for water treatment systems

  -Have an overview of possible nutrient recovery techniques

  -Operate pilot scale water treatment systems.

  The fundamentals of sustainability in water treatment will be considered as a principle in this course.

   
  LKZ258VE: Basic GIS
  After successful completion of this course the student is able to:

  -design and implement a suitability analysis;

  -have basic understanding about raster data;

  -recognize and make use of different  policy instruments;

  -use GIS as an instrument in spatial planning;

  -carry out spatial analysis based on a layered approach using a GIS and supporting theory;

  -report the GIS operations effectively, in writing to professionals;

  -critically review his own findings with respect to the procedures.

Competences:
ES 1:Developing and balancing sustainable solutions; level 2 and 3 (Advanced and professional)
ES 2 :To work interdisciplinary and internationally; level 2 (Advanced)
ES 3: To think, act and perform research in a methodical and reflective level 2 and 3 (Advanced and professional)  ES 5: Advising professionally; level 2 and 3: (Advanced and professional)
ES 6: To function responsibly: level 3 (professional)        

Added value:
Students will obtain a wider view on environmental issues. They will learn how to apply the knowledge and skills using innovative methods to solve actual problems. It will benefit them and enable to become a professional in environmental sciences and in the end that will benefit the environment. And thus, our society.

Entry requirements/prerequisites

• Two years of study in an (environmental) sciences-oriented or related program at a BSc level.
• A solid base in mathematics, physics, chemistry, micro biology and more specifically statistics, research, physiology, cell biology, biochemistry, ecology.
• Knowledge of physical/chemical characteristics of substances
• Knowledge of transport processes of substances in environment
• Lab skills (passed a course: ‘work safely in the laboratory’)

Documents that need to be supplied prior to joining the program
Motivation letter in which the student motivates his choice. Depending on their study background and motivation letter, they may be asked for additional information, e.g. in an intake interview with representatives of this minor. Their advice is binding

Materials will be published on Moodle  (ELO)

LMK222VE:
Lectures, assignments, integral assignment, lab work, computer exercises

 LMK230VE:

Theory                                                             57 SLH
Waste Water treatment                            19 SLH
Soil remediation                                          19 SLH
Microbiology                                                19 SLH
Assignments                                                  112 SLH
Excursion and giving a
Description processes in WWTP               18 SLH 
Calculations for dimensioning                   30 SLH 
Writing soil remediation proposal           64 SLH 
Practical work                                                16 SLH
Presentation                                                  4 SLH
Sludge practical                                            8 SLH

 
LMK231VE:
40 hours (guest) lectures (obligatory)
16 hours practical (obligatory)
16 hours excursion (obligatory)
16 hours exercises
56 hours design assignment
52 hours home work

 
LMK258VE:
Lectures, internet courses, computer practical, tutorial, group work, self-study, excursion. Total study 196 hour (7 credits),

divided in (indication):

Report spatial analysis of case, including practical, tutoring, and self-study (86 hours)

Exam on GIS, including specific thematic topics (e.g. Hydrology), including lectures and self-study (86 hours)

ArcGIS certificate, including practical and self-study (28 hours)

LMK910VNMI: Supplementary assignment,
content depends on students’ background (56 hours)

LMK222VE:

LMK222VE-01 Assignments
LMK222VE-02 Theory (written exam)
LMK222VE-03 Practical

 
LMK230VE:

Written exam
Assessment of (group) assignments
Assessment practical (method & presentation)

 
LMK321VE:

LMK231DE – 01  Written exam (open book) – 70%
LMK231DE – 02 Report design assignment – 30%

 
LMK258VE:

Exam (3EC)
Report (3EC)
AcrGIS certificate (1EC)

LMK910VNMI (2EC)

               Report