CIE 596AK / 796G

Adv. Biol. Treatment of Wastewater
Course syllabus
Semester: Spring 2020
3 lecture Credits
Technical Elective
Instructor: Dr. Moustapha Harb Course Website: https://elearn.lau.edu.lb
Email: moustapha.harb@lau.edu.lb Room: ZH 402
Office: Bassil 202 Meeting Times: MWF 1:00 – 1:50 PM
Extension: 3914 Prereq: 4th year standing and CIE426
Office Hrs: MWF 10:00 – 11:00 AM

1. Academic Catalogue Description

Design of biological treatment processes with a focus on removal of organic and inorganic pollutants while also
recovering resources (i.e., energy, water, nutrients, and other useful products). Aerobic and anaerobic as well as
suspended and attached growth technologies are covered from the perspective of integration of technology
advances.

2. Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the unit processes used in biological treatment of waste streams
2. Explain how unit processes work by understanding process engineering and microbiology of aerobic and
anaerobic treatment systems
3. Differentiate between carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus biological treatment systems
4. Understand resource recovery strategies from waste streams
5. Apply course concepts to better understand and critique the scientific literature
6.
3. Course Outline

Course Content Relevant Chapters

1. Fundamentals and stoichiometry of biochemical operations Chapters 1, 2 & 3
2. Single and multiple microbial activity models in suspended growth reactors Chapter 5 & 6
3. Biofilm-based reactors (attached growth) Chapters 16 & 17
4. Design of activated sludge-based processes Chapter 11
5. Stoichiometry and kinetics of anaerobic biochemical operations Chapter 8
6. Design of anaerobic processes Chapter 14
7. Membrane-based system integration NA
8. Designing for removal of emerging contaminants NA
9. Focusing on sustainable resource recovery Chapter 23
10. Greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment NA

4. Textbook[s]

 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 and CRC Press. ISBN: 0849396794
5. Suggested References

 B. E. Rittmann and P. L. McCarty (2001), Environmental Biotechnology: Principles and Applications,

McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY. ISBN: 0071181849
6. Required tools / software

Software: None.

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 7. Grade Policies

The final grade will be determined based on the following percentages:

Midterm Exam 30%
Term Paper & Presentation 25%
Final Exam 33%
Homework/Participation 12%
Course grades will be computed according to the following scale:
A=90-100; A-= 87-89; B+=83-86; B=80-82; B-=77-79; C+=73-76; C=70-72; D=60-69; F<60.
8. Course Policies

 Attendance: attendance is required, but will not be given any points. Students are held responsible for all the
material presented in the classroom, even during their absence. Students can miss no more than the equivalent
of two weeks of instruction (excused or otherwise), in any course, and still receive credit for that course. Students
arriving late to class will NOT be allowed in.
 Use of electronics: the use of electronic equipment is strictly forbidden during classes. Cellphones are to be
completely silenced or powered off during class lectures and exam sessions.
 Exams: exams are closed-book.
 Course Evaluations: In order to improve the effectiveness of the educational process, all students are expected
to submit their course evaluations by the last day of classes. Students who fail to complete the evaluation of ALL
registered courses by the set deadline:
o Will not be able to access their course grades from Banner or Portal until two weeks after the end
of the final exams period; and
o Will not be able to request transcripts.
The anonymity of the process and the students will be maintained at all times.

9. General Comments

Final Exam is cumulative and will be administered on the final exam date. Make-ups and incompletes are only
allowed for the Final Exam, and will be given only in cases where a valid excuse of an emergency is available, and
where the student’s grade after the first two exams is a passing one (C).
10. General Rules and Regulations

The LAU Student Code of Conduct will be strictly enforced in this course (http://www.lau.edu.lb/about/governance-
policies/policies/student_code_of_conduct.pdf). Students violating the Academic Dishonesty Policy as stated in the
current Student Conduct Code will be penalized the maximum allowed by the University. The student will be
immediately dismissed from this course and will receive a final grade of “F”.

11. Contribution of course to meeting the ABET Curriculum Criterion

Professional Component Credits

Mathematics and Basic Sciences 0
Engineering Topic 3
General Education 0

12. Relationship of Course to ABET Student Outcomes (SO)

None.

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