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CVEN40570

Academic Year 2026/2027

Water Waste and Environmental Modelling (CVEN40570)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Fiachra O'Loughlin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

1. Purpose of numerical modelling / specifying a modelling brief
2. Types of numerical model
3. Parameter estimation and optimisation
4. Model checking and validation
5. Model assessment and sensivity
6. Equifinality and its implications
7. Examples and applications of surface water models / rivers and lakes
8. Examples and applications of waste related models.
9. Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) modelling using activated sludge models

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this model, the student will know the important steps to be taken when commissioning, developing or implementing numerical models in environmental settings. The student will appreciate the problems that may arise and will know how to recognise and deal with them when possible. The student will understant the potential and the limitations of modelling as a tool and will acquire some experience applying models with real data.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Proficient

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 4

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 1

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 1

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss 1
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

12
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

24
Tutorial

10
Total

106

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Group Work
Critical Writing

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Some science or engineering background with some numerical or calculation experience.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Additional Information:
not to be scheduled at same time as CVEN40080 or CVEN40230


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 1 Week 4 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment 2 Week 7 Graded No
20
 No
Individual Project: Assignment on Waste Water Modelling Week 12 Graded No
30
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Class test Week 8 Graded No
30
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Yuansheng Hu Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 09:00 - 10:50
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