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A Hybrid Class Containing Microbiology and Environmental Engineering at Texas Tech University Abstract

Due to the ever-changing demands in the field of environmental engineering, students today must have a diverse background in science as well as in engineering design principles. As indicated in the ABET general criteria for advanced programs, graduates of environmental engineering programs should have proficiency in biology, including microbiology and aquatic biology. Graduates of the 5-year Freshman to Master’s Environmental Engineering and the Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree programs at Texas Tech University are exposed to microbiology and aquatic biology concepts through a new hybrid course. The purpose of CE 5385/ENVE 4385 Microbial Applications in Environmental Engineering is to educate students in microbial biology, which will further their understanding of microbial processes in environmental engineering applications. Additionally, the contribution of the course to the professional component of the curriculum is to provide civil and environmental engineering students a minimum understanding of microbial biology to further their understanding of biological treatment processes. The course has been offered four times and is in continuous revision. Subsequently, the book selected for the course has changed several times in order to maximize the resources available to students regarding topics covered while minimizing the number of books purchased. The course benefits the students by preparing them for both the F.E. and P.E. exams. The course has benefited the curriculum by ensuring all students receive basic information on microbiology, allowing for more in-depth coverage of other topics in advanced courses such as CE 5383 Bioremediation of Wastes in Soil Systems and ENVE 5399 Biological Municipal Wastewater Treatment. Overall, the course benefits the environmental engineering community by improving graduate preparedness for their future profession by providing the necessary knowledge to develop and apply new hybrid ideas to solve engineering problems.

Introduction

At Texas Tech University, students may obtain an environmental engineering degree in one of two tracks. One program, the 5-year Freshman to Master’s Degree Program in Environmental Engineering, allows incoming freshman to obtain a Bachelor in Environmental (non-accredited) while also receiving a Master in Environmental Engineering (MEnvE) (accredited).1 The degree program includes a variety of civil and environmental engineering courses, environmental science courses,2 physics, and general education requirements as specified by the Texas State Board of Higher Education. Additionally, students may pursue an environmental engineering degree following the more traditional route of obtaining a Masters of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) with an emphasis on environmental engineering. Students enrolled in the MSCE program take graduate level classes in civil and environmental engineering and electives from a variety of areas including in civil engineering, environmental toxicology, geology, and geography. For a detailed description of the degree program, please see the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering website.3

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Morse, A., & Ramsey, H., & Jackson, W. A. (2007, June), A Hybrid Class Containing Microbiology And Environmental Engineering At Texas Tech University Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1580