Course Description
Provides basic information on the physical, chemical, biological, and anthropogenic factors affecting water quality, fate, and transport of contaminants in water, and approaches for water quality assessment and management.
Athena Title
WATER QUALITY
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in APTC 3050-3050L
Prerequisite
(CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L) and [(BIOL 1103 and BIOL 1103L) or BIOL 1107-1107L or (PBIO 1210 and PBIO 1210L)]
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1) To provide students with an overview of physical, chemical, and biological aspect of water quality. 2) To help students understand the impact of natural processes and anthropogenic activities on water quality. 3) To help students understand the environmental fate and impact of contaminants in water. 4) To introduce students to common water quality standards, approaches of risk assessment, and basic management strategies.
Topical Outline
Chapter 1 – Introduction to water quality 1.1 Physical and chemical properties of water 1.2 Chemistry review 1.3 Biology review 1.4 Definitions related to water quality 1.5 Water quality problems and indicators Chapter 2 – Characterization of water bodies 2.1 Hydrologic cycle 2.2 Water measurement 2.3 Factors affecting water quality Chapter 3 – Physical and chemical indicators 3.1 Temperature, dissolved solids, particulate matter, turbidity, color, and odor 3.2 Dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and redox potential 3.3 pH, carbon dioxide, and alkalinity 3.4 total hardness 3.5 Nutrients and eutrophication 3.6 Inorganic and organic contaminants Chapter 4 – Biological indicators 4.1 Bacteria activity 4.2 Phytoplankton growth 4.3 Harmful algae 4.4 Human pathogens Chapter 5 – Natural environmental processes and water quality 5.1 Ecological succession 5.2 Dynamics of organic carbon 5.3 Dissolved oxygen system Chapter 6 – Anthropogenic activities and water quality 6.1 Point sources and non-point sources 6.2 Agricultural impact 6.3 Industrial impact 6.4 Urban impact Chapter 7 - Water quality standards, risk assessment, and management approaches 7.1 Water use classification and water quality standards 7.2 Risk assessment and water quality standards 7.3 Water quality control and remediation measures
Syllabus