575.742.81 - Hazardous Waste Engineering and Management

Course Structure

The course content is divided into modules as well as a midterm and a final exam. Course Modules can be accessed by clicking Course Content on the left menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. Students are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a specified period of days, exceptions are noted on the Course Outline page. Students should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Hazardous Waste, Definition of Hazardous Waste/Solid Waste
• Regulatory Aspects, Federal and State Hazardous Waste Regulations, Major Legislation, Governmental Agencies
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Overview
• Classification and Characterization of Hazardous Waste under RCRA
• Hazardous Waste Facility Operation
• Permitting of the Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities and Public Participation Process
• Enforcement under RCRA
• Generators of Hazardous Waste, Small Quantity Generators
• OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations
• Transportation of Hazardous Waste
• RCRA Subtitle C Corrective Action
• CERCLA/Superfund, SARA, NCP, HRS, and NPL
• Brownfields
• Management of Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
• Fate and Transport of Contaminants in the Subsurface
• Groundwater Contamination, Monitoring and Statistical Analysis
• Toxicology and Quantitative Risk Assessment
• Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization
• Land Disposal Restrictions
• Landfill Disposal, Landfill Construction and Operations, Liners, Leachate Collection Systems, and Cover Systems
• Closure Requirements of Hazardous Waste Facilities
• Financial Assurance Requirement for Hazardous Waste Facilities
• Site and Subsurface Characterization
• Physio-Chemical Treatment Processes
• Biological Treatment Methods
• Stabilization and Solidification
• Thermal Treatment and Disposal Methods
• Management of Medical Waste
• Case Studies

Course Goals

To acquire advanced knowledge on hazardous waste engineering and comprehensive understanding of the management of hazardous waste in the United States.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Examine the need for multidisciplinary (technical and non-technical) approaches of engineering and management solutions to hazardous waste problems and the cross-media (air, surface water, groundwater, and soil) nature of the hazardous waste issues.
• Develop a reasonable knowledge of the regulatory requirements pertaining to hazardous waste management: Federal and state regulations including RCRA, RCRA corrective action, CERCLA/Superfund, Brownfields, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), (Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments) HSWA, Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).
• Explain Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) operations, permitting/public participation, enforcement, generator classifications, and transportation of hazardous waste.
• Examine the present management practices in pollution prevention and waste minimization; including product life cycle analysis and economic analysis and gain insight into a specific industry through a class project.
• Summarize the basics of fate and transport of contaminants in the subsurface, groundwater monitoring, site and subsurface characterization and site remediation technologies.
• Explain the present practices in physio-chemical treatment processes including pump-and-treat, adsorption; stabilization and solidification. Show fundamentals and analysis procedures in thermal treatment (incineration) methods and identify particulate and gas emissions and the related air pollution collection systems.
• Develop In-depth knowledge of hazardous waste land disposal facilities including double liner and leachate collection system and landfill cover design.
• Analyze toxicological and quantitative risk assessment in hazardous waste issues and the process involved in setting clean-up standards.

Textbooks

Hazardous Waste Management; Michael D. LaGrega, Phillip L. Buckingham and Jeffrey C. Evans, Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc; Reissue Edition (July 1, 2010)

ISBN-10: 1577666933

ISBN-13: 978-1577666936

Other Materials & Online Resources

Class PDF notes, slides, video presentations, and items on the discussion board.

Required Software

There is not any specific software required for this course.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each class will take approximately 5–7 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 1–2 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1–2 hours per week), reviewing additional class notes (approximately 1 hour per week), participation in online discussions and completion of problem assignments (approximately 2 hours per week).

This course will consist of the following basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (Class Discussions) (15% of Final Grade Calculation)

Each student is responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.

Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of day 3 for that module week (ex. If the module begins on Tuesday, your initial response should be posted no later than Thursday evening). Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for class discussions (i.e., Timeliness).

Part two of your grade for class discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least one classmate (i.e., Critical Thinking). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; I want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. Post your response to another classmate by the due date listed in the Calendar.

The instructor will monitor class discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, the instructor will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the class.

Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:

- Critical Thinking (60%)
- Timeliness (40%)

Preparation and participation is graded as follows:

90-100 = A: Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis].

80-89 = B: Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].

70-79 = C: Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].

< 70 = F: Timeliness [rarely participates; some, or all required postings missing]; Critical Thinking [rudimentary and superficial; no analysis or insight is displayed].

Homework Assignments (25% of Final Grade Calculation)

Assignments will include a problems associated with each module. Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions.

All assignments are due one week from the assigned dates.

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions are made without prior coordination with the instructors).

Assignments are graded as follows:

90-100 = A: All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; All intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.

80-89 = B: All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; Some intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.

70-79 = C: Most parts of question are addressed; Assumptions are partially stated; Few intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is not technically correct but is indicated; Answer precision and units are indicated but inappropriate.

< 70 = F: Some parts of the question are addressed; Assumptions are not stated; Intermediate derivations and calculations are not provided; The answer is incorrect or missing; The answer precision and units are inappropriate or missing.

Exams (40% of Final Grade Calculation, combined from 20% for the Midterm and 20% for the Final)

The midterm exam will be available in the 8th week and the final exam will be available in the last week. Each exam will be open for a period of one week. Both the midterm and final exams are timed. Exams are delivered online using the Blackboard Test tool; you must be logged in to Blackboard for the duration of the exam. During the week the exam is open you will need to select a 3-hour block of time to take the exam.

Exams are graded as follows:

90-100 = A: All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; All intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.

80-89 = B: All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; Some intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.

70-79 = C: Most parts of question are addressed; Assumptions are partially stated; Few intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is not technically correct but is indicated; Answer precision and units are indicated but inappropriate.

< 70 = F: Some parts of the question are addressed; Assumptions are not stated; Intermediate derivations and calculations are not provided; The answer is incorrect or missing; The answer precision and units are inappropriate or missing.

Project (10% of Final Grade Calculation)

Pollution Prevention/ Waste Minimization Project

Develop a "Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessment" for an actual hazardous waste generator (small or large quantity) or a hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility of your choice. Summarize where source reduction of waste and/or reuse may be feasible and suggest any appropriate technology or management practices. Teamwork is recommended. The final submission is due on the last day of Module 13

Term Research Presentation ( PowerPoint only) - 10% of Final Grade Calculation)

Term Research Presentation Guidelines:

Select any Hazardous Waste Engineering or Management topic of your own interest or pertinent to your work (please let your instruction team know if you need any assistance on this). Obtain information from at least five references (periodicals, books, EPA guidelines, etc.). You should begin your presentation with an introductory section describing the issues that you intend to discuss. Then explain in detail the process, importance, impacts, effects, etc. End your presentation with a discussion and conclusions. The format should generally include bullets with details beneath them and illustrations/pictures as applicable. Cite all references used. The PowerPoint should be 15 to 20 slides in length (not including the cover page and the reference citations). The introductory section (selection of the topic) is due at the end the end of Module 6 and the final submission is due on the last day of Module 13. A specific Discussion section will be set up for this purpose.

Extra Credit – Hazardous Waste Facility Visitation (10% additional credit added to the cumulative final grade)

I will consider up to 10 additional points to be counted toward your final grade for visiting a hazardous waste facility and posting a short report. One visit is sufficient to gain knowledge of the facility. The deadline for posting is approximately one week prior to the final exam. To be considered for this extra credit, please follow the directions provided below. The submission will be due on the last day of Module 13.

Type of Facility:

You can visit any hazardous waste facility as long as you have obtained permission to visit. Examples include waste to energy incinerators, landfills, solid waste recycling facilities, and hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities. Please do not attempt to gain access to these facilities unless you have a scheduled appointment and an official facility escort. You need to identify yourself as a student visitor and state the purpose of your visit to gain permission. Make sure that you wear proper/appropriate clothing and safety equipment as required by the facility personnel and follow all safety rules and regulations expressed.

Documentation Requirements:

During your visitation - You are required to take a few pictures and notes during your site visit. If for security safety, and/or any other reasons you are not permitted to take photographs, you must choose another facility which allows you to take photographic images and notes. Inquire about any restrictions when setting up your scheduled visit.

Posting on Blackboard:

Your instructor will create an “Extra Credit Requirements: Facility Visitation” thread in the Discussion Board for you to upload your report. The report should include a cover page that contains the facility’s name, the facility’s location, facility’s contact information, when you visited the facility and a very short description of the environmental process. Also upload a minimum of four photographs of any critical parts/aspects of the facility in respect to the environmental process. Provide one descriptive paragraph (caption) for each photograph explaining its significance or an interesting element of the photograph.

Important note:

Please bear in mind that during the entire process you represent the graduate students of the Johns Hopkins University and must demonstrate that in your courteous and professional conducts. Always place personal safety and consideration to your facility host first. The course instructors, The Whiting School of Engineering, and Johns Hopkins University shall not be liable for any personal or property damages or liability that might occur during your visit.

Grading Policy

Student assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar. The grades will be posted one week after assignment due dates.

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

Student Assessment Criteria

Student Assessment Criteria (Course Expectations and Grading)

The kinds of work you'll be doing in this course include weekly homework assignments, three equally-weighted exams, active participation in class discussion, and oral presentations. The grading basis and policy are summarized below. Letter grades will be assigned to the exact numerical grades as follow, higher grades supersede. The grades are not normalized or curved.

This course uses the following EP grading system:

Course Evaluation

Students' feedback during the midterm and final course evaluations are much valued and greatly appreciated.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.