Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course, student knows the concepts related to contaminated sites, knows the main contaminants in soil, groundwater and sediments. Student understands the main processes of soil contamination, knows remediation and management technologies of contaminated soils. Student will also gain soil and groundwater sampling skills. Other types of environmental sampling, such as sediment sampling, are covered during the course. After the course, student has preparedness to design and implement sampling programmes, which gives him/her preparedness to participate different remediation projects.

Content (course unit)

Soil contaminants, soil and grondwater sampling, analysis and measurement methods, remediation methods, principles of sustainable remediation, field visits and practical work, occupational health and safety issues related to contaminated site remediation.

Prerequisites (course unit)

This course is primarily aimed for the environmental engineering, Double Degree, and exchange students. Before taking this course you need to have all basic studies done, especially all chemistry, physics and mathematics courses. In addition, it is required that you have completed Soils Science and Engineering or equivalent course.

Double Degree and exchange students planning to take the course, has to have experience and training in working in laboratory and should have an introductory soil engineering and chemistry courses done before taking this course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Student is able to recognize and define the basic concepts related to contaminated site remediation.

Student manages the assigned tasks under supervision and is able to do routine operations. Student knows courses of action but cannot necessarily justify his/her choices, for example, when choosing a remediation method and sampling methods.

Student can give and receive feedback and can work in a group. Student is able to consider and assess the topics from his/her viewpoint. Student takes responsibility for his/her own work. Student can describe sustainability related effects of his/her own work related to contaminated site remediation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Student is able to apply, explain and compare the basic concepts related to contaminated site remediation. Student is also able to structure things in relation to one another.

Student can select the most appropriate course of action from different remediation options and justify his/her choices. In practice, this means that the student is able apply his/her skills and make plans accordingly. Student is able to limit tasks and solve problems during the course.

Student can give and receive feedback actively and constructively. Student is able to consider and assess the topics both from his/her and the close community’s viewpoint. Student can cooperate responsibly and is ready to develop his/her interaction skills. Student recognizes and follows the important courses of action in the field. Student takes responsibility and commits to the group activities in addition to his/her own work. Can describe and assess the sustainability related effects of his/her own work in relation to contaminated site remediation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student understands extensive entities and relations between them, and is able to generalize, analyze and relate contaminated site remediation to the professional context.

Student can search for diverse courses of action and solution alternatives for remediation and sampling, justify his/her choices and try new courses of action. Student is also able to assess diverse site remediation solution and sampling alternatives, combine solution alternatives creatively or creates new ones.

Student uses feedback systematically as a professional growth tool in his/her own work and the community. Student considers and assesses himself/herself and his/her professional community or task. Student can cooperate responsibly, flexibly and constructively, and develops his/her own and the group’s interaction. Student works responsibly and in a committed manner considering the community and field requirements and needs. Student understands the sustainability related effects of his/her work and can anticipate them in his/her work in relation to contaminated site remediation.

Assessment scale

0-5

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course, student knows the concepts related to contaminated sites, knows the main contaminants in soil, groundwater and sediments. Student understands the main processes of soil contamination, knows remediation and management technologies of contaminated soils. Student will also gain soil and groundwater sampling skills. Other types of environmental sampling, such as sediment sampling, are covered during the course. After the course, student has preparedness to design and implement sampling programmes, which gives him/her preparedness to participate different remediation projects.

Content (course unit)

Soil contaminants, soil and grondwater sampling, analysis and measurement methods, remediation methods, principles of sustainable remediation, field visits and practical work, occupational health and safety issues related to contaminated site remediation.

Prerequisites (course unit)

This course is primarily aimed for the environmental engineering, Double Degree, and exchange students. Before taking this course you need to have all basic studies done, especially all chemistry, physics and mathematics courses. In addition, it is required that you have completed Soils Science and Engineering or equivalent course.

Double Degree and exchange students planning to take the course, has to have experience and training in working in laboratory and should have an introductory soil engineering and chemistry courses done before taking this course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

Student is able to recognize and define the basic concepts related to contaminated site remediation.

Student manages the assigned tasks under supervision and is able to do routine operations. Student knows courses of action but cannot necessarily justify his/her choices, for example, when choosing a remediation method and sampling methods.

Student can give and receive feedback and can work in a group. Student is able to consider and assess the topics from his/her viewpoint. Student takes responsibility for his/her own work. Student can describe sustainability related effects of his/her own work related to contaminated site remediation.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

Student is able to apply, explain and compare the basic concepts related to contaminated site remediation. Student is also able to structure things in relation to one another.

Student can select the most appropriate course of action from different remediation options and justify his/her choices. In practice, this means that the student is able apply his/her skills and make plans accordingly. Student is able to limit tasks and solve problems during the course.

Student can give and receive feedback actively and constructively. Student is able to consider and assess the topics both from his/her and the close community’s viewpoint. Student can cooperate responsibly and is ready to develop his/her interaction skills. Student recognizes and follows the important courses of action in the field. Student takes responsibility and commits to the group activities in addition to his/her own work. Can describe and assess the sustainability related effects of his/her own work in relation to contaminated site remediation.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

Student understands extensive entities and relations between them, and is able to generalize, analyze and relate contaminated site remediation to the professional context.

Student can search for diverse courses of action and solution alternatives for remediation and sampling, justify his/her choices and try new courses of action. Student is also able to assess diverse site remediation solution and sampling alternatives, combine solution alternatives creatively or creates new ones.

Student uses feedback systematically as a professional growth tool in his/her own work and the community. Student considers and assesses himself/herself and his/her professional community or task. Student can cooperate responsibly, flexibly and constructively, and develops his/her own and the group’s interaction. Student works responsibly and in a committed manner considering the community and field requirements and needs. Student understands the sustainability related effects of his/her work and can anticipate them in his/her work in relation to contaminated site remediation.

Location and time

See the official course schedule and teaching locations in the https://lukkarit.tamk.fi/. Further information on the field work will be available in the course's Moodle page.

Exam schedules

Group exam in the end of the course (week 50).

Assessment methods and criteria

Assessment of the course is based on weekly assignments (60 %) and final group exam (40 %). Self-evaluation and group evaluation are mandatory parts of the course and shall be returned to teachers as instructed by the end of the course. All fieldwork and laboratory exercises are a mandatory part of the course.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercises, weekly assignments, group discussions, field work, field- and laboratory measurements, group exam.

Learning materials

Keijzer et al. 2006. In situ soil and groundwater remediation: theory and practice. Tauw, the Netherlands
Lecture materials and literature related to the subject.

Student workload

Students total use of time and effort is 135 hours, which is divided into lectures (42 hrs), field and laboratory work (12 hrs), self-study (78 hrs), and exam (3 hrs). Self-study includes assignments, reading and reports. Please, note that the time allocated for independent study is about 60 % of the total time allocated to the course. The course requires significant self-study input.

Completion alternatives

If you have work experience from contaminated soils and groundwater, you have a possibility to negotiate for alternative ways to complete the course. Also, if you have taken a course with a similar kind of content, please contact the teachers.

Practical training and working life cooperation

One lecture will be given by a company representative.

Further information

Be prepared to work in field. Pay special attention to weather conditions and field work instructions. Check that you have suitable clothes for working outside, as your clothes may get dirty during the field work.