Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon the completion, the student should be able to

  • Describe the most important biological water, wastewater, sludge, waste and gas treatment methods [knowledge]
  • Explain biochemical, microbiological and ecological phenomena in biological treatment processes [knowledge]
  • Form the simple mass balances of biological unit processes [knowledge/skill]
  • Identify the critical factors affecting the efficiency of biological treatment processes and describe their control systems [knowledge/skill]

Credits: 5

Schedule: 25.02.2025 - 08.04.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Anna Mikola

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course gives an introduction into the biological water, wastewater, sludge, solid waste and waste gas treatment processes. The main focus is on wastewater treatment. The course is useful for students interested in the design and operation of municipal and industrial water, wastewater and waste treatment bioprocesses. Introduction to aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic water and waste treatment processes and their biochemistry, microbiology and ecology (biosorption, metabolic processes, mass and energy balances, biomass composition and yield, optimal process environment, inhibitory effects, acclimatization, adaptation and succession); Types of processes and bioreactors; Process parameters and their optimization; Bioprocess control and bioreactor sizing

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Exams 40 %, Exercises and homework 30%, group work 30%

    Homework exercises: distributed during the lecture, weekly support sessions, two weeks for submitting, individual

    Group work: One week operation of the lab reactor, process optimization task, presentation of the results

    Exams: 3 small written exams, will take place during the lecture, length 60 min

     

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching methods are interactive lectures with reading material given as support, assisted and independent exercises, lab reactor operation, optimization, monitoring and reporting.

    Lectures + exercises: Interactive lectures with assisted and independent exercises supporting the topic (1st part of the lecture 45 min + demo exercise 15 min + interactive part e.g. bacteria game; 2nd part of the lecture 30 min, real-life case example of the process 15 min + 30 min group discussion). Times include two 10-15 min breaks

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Study material is announced in the first lecture and in the course home page in MyCourses.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    6 Clean Water and Sanitation

    7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    14 Life Below Water

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring IV
    2025-2026 Spring IV

    Registration:

    Registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi). A limited number of students will be accepted to the course, with preference given to our own WAT Master's Programme students. Other students may be selected based on Motivation Letter and/or other criteria. The course may not be organized if fewer than 5 students register to the course.