Master of Engineering Science (Water, Wastewater and Waste Engineering)
Program Overview
UNSW's Master of Engineering Science in Water, Wastewater, and Waste Engineering is a 2-year postgraduate degree designed for engineers seeking to specialize or retrain in water, wastewater, and waste management. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of current and emerging technologies, equipping students with the skills to design and implement sustainable solutions in these fields. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in water treatment, wastewater treatment, waste management, environmental engineering, and related industries.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
UNSW's Master of Engineering Science in Water, Wastewater, and Waste Engineering is a 2-year full-time postgraduate degree designed for those with an accredited four-year engineering degree seeking to broaden their career opportunities through cross-training, retraining, or specialization. The program focuses on current and emerging technologies for water usage, wastewater treatment, and waste management, providing students with a thorough understanding of current practices and exposure to future advancements. It is a non-accredited degree and does not offer industrial training.
Objectives:
This degree aims to equip students with:
- Specialized knowledge and skills in the field of water, wastewater, and waste engineering
- An understanding of the latest technologies and advancements in the industry
- The ability to design and implement sustainable solutions for water and waste management
- A strong foundation for professional growth and leadership in the engineering sector
Outline:
The Master of Engineering Science in Water, Wastewater, and Waste Engineering program consists of a combination of core and elective courses, providing students with flexibility in customizing their program to suit their interests and career aspirations.
Structure:
- Core Courses: Cover fundamental principles and concepts in water, wastewater, and waste engineering, such as:
- Water Treatment Processes
- Wastewater Treatment Processes
- Waste Management Principles
- Environmental Engineering
- Disciplinary Courses: Focus on specific disciplines within the field, including:
- Advanced Water Treatment Technologies
- Advanced Wastewater Treatment Technologies
- Waste Characterization and Treatment
- Industrial Waste Management
- Advanced Disciplinary Courses: Offer in-depth exploration of specialized topics, such as:
- Sustainable Urban Water Management
- Water Sensitive Urban Design
- Waste-to-Energy Technologies
- Circular Economy for Waste Management
- Engineering and Technical Management Courses: Develop essential skills in project management, engineering economics, and communication, such as:
- Project Management for Engineers
- Risk Management in Engineering
- Engineering Economics and Decision Making
- Enquiry-based Courses: Involve substantial research projects or industry-based projects, providing opportunities for practical application and hands-on experience in:
- Engineering Research Project
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering
- Sustainability in Engineering
Individual Modules with Descriptions:
- Water Treatment Processes: Explores various water treatment processes, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection. Emphasizes the design, operation, and optimization of water treatment plants.
- Wastewater Treatment Processes: Covers biological, chemical, and physical processes for wastewater treatment, focusing on the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants. Includes topics such as activated sludge processes and tertiary treatment.
- Waste Management Principles: Provides an overview of waste management strategies and technologies, including waste characterization, collection, transportation, and treatment methods. Examines waste minimization, waste recycling, and sustainable waste management practices.
- Advanced Water Treatment Technologies: Delves into advanced water treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, and advanced oxidation processes. Explores the application of these technologies for water purification, desalination, and reuse.
- Sustainable Urban Water Management: Focuses on sustainable approaches to water management in urban environments, covering water conservation, stormwater management, decentralized water systems, and urban water infrastructure.
- Circular Economy for Waste Management: Examines the principles of circular economy as applied to waste management, emphasizing waste reduction, resource recovery, and the development of innovative waste management technologies.
- Engineering Research Project: A substantial research project undertaken under the supervision of a faculty member, allowing students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world engineering problems. Involves literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and reporting.
Assessment:
Assessment methods vary depending on the course and module. Common assessment formats include:
- Examinations (written and practical)
- Assignments (essays, reports, presentations)
- Quizzes
- Research projects
- Group projects
Teaching:
The program is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, and laboratory sessions. The faculty comprises experienced academic staff, industry professionals, and researchers actively engaged in cutting-edge water, wastewater, and waste engineering research. The program emphasizes experiential learning and hands-on experience through laboratory work, site visits, and industry collaborations.
Careers:
Graduates of the Master of Engineering Science in Water, Wastewater, and Waste Engineering are well-prepared for a wide range of career opportunities in the water, wastewater, and waste management industries, including:
- Water Treatment Engineer
- Wastewater Treatment Engineer
- Waste Management Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Sustainability Consultant
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Project Manager
