ENCE 688S -- Bioremediation
Spring Semester 2004
Tu, Th: 3:30 AM - 4:45 AM
EGR Rm. 0110
Instructor: Eric A. Seagren
Office: EGR 1149
Office Phone: (301) 405-4828
Fax: (301) 405-2585
Email: eseagren@eng.umd.edu
Office hours: 9:15 AM - 11:15 AM, 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesday, or by appointment
Course Description:
Introduction to microbiological and engineering fundamentals of bioremediation. Coverage will
emphasize current and emerging technologies for major classes of environmental contaminants and
contaminated site characteristics; relevant microbial ecology, biochemistry and physiology; site
data needed to assess the feasibility of the bioremediation option; design and operation of
engineered bioremediation systems, including reactor and in situ approaches; monitoring methods
for evaluating the success of bioremediation projects; technical evaluation of selected case studies.
Prerequisites:
Permission of instructor
Useful Previous Coursework:
- ENCE 432 Groundwater Hydrology (or GEOL 451)
- ENCE 489T Hazardous Waste Management
- ENCE 637 Biological Principles of Environmental Engineering (and/or BSCI 223)
- ENCE 688O Environmental Behavior of Organic Pollutants
- ENCE 688T Transformations of Organic Compounds in the Environment
- ENCE 736 Theory of Aqueous and Solid Waste Treatment and Disposal (or ENCE 435)
Course Objectives:
- To expand student's knowledge of applied microbial ecology--Building upon previous coursework
in general microbiology, students will be introduced to topics including the biochemistry of microbial
transformation of important contaminants and the microbial ecology of bioremediation in the field.
- To prepare students to work in bioremediation project teams--Design of a bioremediation system is
a multidisciplinary undertaking, requiring inputs from engineers, geohydrologists, microbiologists, and
soils scientists. Since no one person can be an expert in all of these fields, teams are required; however,
for the team approach to be successful, team members from different disciplines must have sufficient knowledge
of each others areas to be able to communicate and work together.
- To provide students with sufficient skills and background in the art and science of bioremediation to be
able to respond to novel situations--Each bioremediation project provides a different set of circumstances.
Therefore, the goal of the class is to provide sufficient exposure to fundamental microbiological and engineering
principles and current bioremediation practices that the student will have the tools to confront various contaminant
remediation scenarios.
Internet Resources:
Computer Models:
Government Agencies, Centers, Programs related to Bioremediation:
Professional Organizations:
Biodegradation Databases:
Bioremediation Databases:
Bioremediation Glossaries:
Bioremediation Discussion Groups:
On-line course materials (e.g., syllabus, contact information, discussion board, etc.):
Click here to E-mail your questions or
comments.
by Eric Seagren
Last Modified January 23, 2004