Course Syllabus

 

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Office: CEC 301A

Phone: (405)550-2355

Email: rknox@ou.edu

For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Course Prerequisites 

Students must have undergraduate senior or graduate-level standing.

Course Format

The course consists of two taped lectures posted per week (asynchronous delivery) that will cover new material. 

Live Sessions on Wednesdays (6:00 - 7:00 pm Central Time) will cover homework problems and/or tutoring on course content.

Course Materials

Required

  • Watts, R.J. 1998. Hazardous Wastes: Sources, Pathways, Receptors. John Wiley and Sons, 764 pages.
  • Scientific calculator

Supplemental

Students may find the following resources helpful:

  • Blackman, W.C. 2001. Basic Hazardous Waste Management. CRC Press, 488 pages.
  • Christensen, T.H. 2011. Solid Waste Technology and Management, Volumes 1 and 2. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 1052 pages.
  • LaGrega, M.D., P.L. Buckingham and J.C. Evans. 2010. Hazardous Waste Management. Waveland Press, Inc., 1232 pages.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Describe practical aspects of solid and hazardous waste management for environmental scientists and engineers.
  • Interpret appropriate and relevant solid and hazardous waste regulatory information.
  • Analyze sources, fate and transport pathways, environmental receptors, and risk assessment for hazardous or solid waste management.

Course Expectations

Attendance

Attendance at designated in class lectures is expected of all students, except when prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Absences for illness or family emergencies will be accommodated as long as attempts to contact the instructor occur before class begins. Class lectures will begin promptly at 3:00 pm, so be on time!

Grades

Grading Policy

Assignments and exam questions will provide sufficient instruction as to what is expected of students. Students are expected to read the textbook and other reading assignments before classes, to understand the main concepts of the readings and lectures, and to solve applied environmental problems based on examples given in the textbook and during lectures. If you are having difficulties performing at this level, please contact Dr. Knox for additional assistance.

Breakdown

Graded Activities & Assignments

Individual Points

Participation (Live Session Attendance)

Homework/In-Class Assignments

200

Camp Lejeune RCTs (3)

300

Exam 1

150

Exam 2

150

Final Exam

200

Total Points: 1000

Scale

Total Points Earned Letter Grade
900-1000 A
800-899 B
700-799 C
600-699 D
600 and below F

Course Components

Participation (Live Session attendance)

There are two ways in which you can earn attendance points for the Live Sessions.

  1. Participate Live: This option should be your preferred choice. When possible, you should attend and participate in the Live Sessions in real time. To get credit for your attendance, type in the date and time of the session you attended by clicking on the red "Submit Assignment" button. Your self-reported attendance log will be cross-checked against the attendance tracker in Zoom.
  2. Make-Up (Watch Recording-Submit Written Summary): In the event that your work or personal schedule makes it impossible for you to attend, please review the recording of the Live Session, then write a paragraph summarizing the Live Session from your
    perspective.

Detailed instructions for participating in the Live Sessions are included on the Live Session pages in each module.

Homework

Homework assignments will include calculation and short essay questions.  Students are encouraged to discuss homework assignments within groups and during Live Sessions but material submitted for grading must be based on individual effort.  See the academic dishonesty policy in the syllabus.

Late homework will NOT be accepted.  There is no such thing as late homework for grading purposes – if it is NOT turned in on time; you will receive a ZERO (no exceptions).

Homework submission will be accepted through Canvas according to the due date/time posted on Dropbox.  Typically, the due date is one week after initial posting to allow adequate time for you to inquire about the questions presented (with the exception of Quiz #1).  Homework must be neatly prepared.  It is up to you to convince the instructor that you know what you are talking about.  This will generally require good organization, well-developed discussions that feature complete sentences and clearly boxed answers when numerical results are presented.  Scanned copies of hand-written calculations are acceptable if they meet these requirements.  Homework submissions that are illegible or otherwise difficult to follow will not be reviewed or graded. You should keep a copy of all homework submissions, some will not be returned.

Camp Lejeune Readiness Assessment Tests

There will be Reading Comprehension Tests( RCTS) over an important current hazardous waste issue -  "Analyses and Historical Reconstruction of Groundwater Flow, Contaminant Fate and Transport, and Distribution of Drinking Water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina". The assignment will require students to read portions of detailed reports about the problems at Camp Lejeune that have cause widespread health impacts to former marines who drank contaminated ground water while stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Each RCT will be worth 100 points. 

Exams

Exams will be closed-book tests with calculations, short answer, multiple choice, and essay questions.  The final exam will be a comprehensive test of major topics and calculations previously done in homework and exams.  See below for important due dates regarding exams.

Course Policies

Communication Plan

The great majority of class information will be disseminated through Canvas and via email. Students are encouraged to submit questions to the instructor via email at any time. Responses will be made as quickly as possible. It is the responsibility of each student to use his or her OU email account and to read email in a timely fashion.

Due to extenuating circumstance for this course, office hours will be satisfied through weekly Live Sessions. I will try to accommodate personal requests outside of the Live Sessions times, but that will be on an as available basis.

Assignments Policy

Assignments, examinations, or projects worth less than 10 percent of a student's grade may be assigned at any time prior to pre-finals week and may be due during pre-finals week. However, no assignments, examinations, or projects may be due on the last two days of pre-finals week.

Assignments, take-home examinations, in-class examinations, or projects worth more than 10 percent of a student's grade must be scheduled at least 30 days prior to the first day of finals and must be due or given prior to pre-finals week. Any assignment that is to take the entire semester to complete may be accepted or presented during pre-finals week provided the syllabus explicitly states that the assignment can be turned in prior to pre-finals week. In-class presentation of semester assignments due before pre-finals week may be scheduled for any day other than the last two days of pre-finals week. Special case deviations from this policy must be clearly stated in the course syllabus and approved by the chair of the department through which the course is offered. Special requests made by a student for an extension of assignment deadlines into pre-finals week may be granted subject to the discretion of the instructor.

Late Policy

Late homework will NOT be accepted.  There is no such thing as late homework for grading purposes – if it is NOT turned in on time; you will receive a ZERO (no exceptions).

Make-Up Work Policy

Only Provost-approved university-sponsored activities such as scholarly competitions, fine arts performances, academic field trips, and legally required activities, such as emergency military service and jury duty, are covered by these guidelines. If notice is given two class periods before an exam or quiz (excluding pop quizzes), the instructor will make every effort to find a reasonable accommodation. Students missing an exam on account of jury duty must be allowed an accommodation by OU policy. Students missing class due to illness must be supported by a certified note of illness. Student’s missing any assignment or exam for other reasons not specified herein will be subjected to a failing grade for said assignment.

WEEK

DATE

LECTURE TITLE

ASSIGNMENT

DUE

LIVE SESSION

1

Aug. 21

Introduction

HWK1

 

 

 

Aug. 23

Legislation 1

HWK 2 - 1.5, 1.16, and 1.19

HWK1

 

 

Aug. 23

 

Live Session 1

 

HWK1/Tutoring

2

Aug. 28

Legislation 2

 

 

 

 

Aug. 30

Nomenclature I

 

HWK2

 

 

Aug. 30

 

Live Session2, Tutoring

 

 

3

Sept. 4

LABOR DAY

 

Sept. 6

Nomenclature II

HWK 3 - 2.8, 2.14, 2.16, 2.17, 2.29, 2.39

 

 

 

Sept. 6

 

Live Session 3

 

HWK2/Tutoring

4

Sept. 11

Properties 1

 

HWK3

 

 

Sept. 13

Properties 2

HWK 4 - 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.13, 3.16, 3.20, 3.21. 3.22

 

 

 

Sept.13

 

Live Session 4, Tutoring

 

 

5

Sept.18

Source Analysis/EXAM I REVIEW

HWK 5- 4.2,4.4,4.5,4.9,4.12,4.16

HWK4

 

 

Sept.20

Sorption I

 

 

 

 

Sept.20

 

Live Session 5

 

HWK 3, HWK4

6

Sept.25

Sorption II

HWK 6 - 5.5,5.8,5.9,5.10,5.12, 5.15, 5.39,5.45

 HWK5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sept.27

 

Live Session 6

 

HWK5/tutoring

 

Sept. 29-Oct. 1

EXAM I Chs. 1-4

EXAM I ALL ONLINE

 

 

7

Oct. 2

 EXAM I Returned

 

 

 

Oct. 4

Volatilization

HWK  7 –6.7,6.8,6.10,6.12,6.14,6.18,6.21,6.24,6.25

 

 

 

Oct. 4

 

Live Session 7

 

8

Oct. 9

Abiotic Transformations

 

HWK6

 

 

Oct.11

Biotic Transformation

HWK 8 - 7.1, 7.3, 7.4, 7.9, 7.11, 7.15, 7.22, 7.40

 

 

Oct. 11

 

Live Session 8

 

HWK 6/tutoring

9

Oct. 16

Release and Transport 1

 

HWK7 

 

 

Oct. 18

Release and Transport 2

HWK 9 – 8.4,8.7,8.8, 8.12, 8.13, 8.19, 8.22

 

 

Oct. 18

 

Live Session 9

 

HWK7/Tutoring

10

Oct. 23

Toxicology

 

 

 

 

Oct. 25

Quantitative Toxicology

HWK 10 – 10.1,10.2,10.3,10.7,10.10,10.12

HWK8

 

 

Oct. 25

 

Live Session 10

 

HWK 8/Tutoring

11

Oct. 30

Risk Assessment

HWK 11 – 11.3, 11.5, 11.8, 11.10

 

 

 

Nov. 1

Ecological Risk Assessment/EXAM II review

 

HWK 9

 

 

Nov. 1

 

Live Session 11

 

HWK9/Tutoring

 

Nov. 3-5

EXAM II

EXAM II ALL ONLINE

 

 

12

Nov. 6

EXAM II RETURNED

 

Nov.8

Camp Lejeune

 Summary and Findings pp. i to A28

HWK10

 

 

Nov.8

 

Live Session 12

 

HWK10/Tutoring

13

Nov. 13

Camp Lejeune

 Introduction RCT

 

 

 

Nov. 15

Camp Lejeune

 Summary and Findings pp. A29-A69

HWK 11

 

 

Nov. 15

Live Session 13

 

HWK11/Tutoring

14

Nov.20

NO CLASS

 

 

 

 

Nov. 22

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

15

Nov. 27

Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune Historical Reconstruction RCT

 

 

 

Nov. 29

Camp Lejeune

Sensitivity Analysis pp. A70-A91

 

 

16

Dec. 4

Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune Sensitivity Analysis RCT

 

 

 

Dec. 6

FINAL REVIEW

 

 

FINAL EXAM

Dec. 14, 4:30-6:30 pm. Central Time

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Course Catalog 

Search the OU Course Catalogue.

Student Handbook

Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.

Online Library

Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.

Academic Misconduct

In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook. 

It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.

This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism. 

For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.

Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities

The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.

Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.

If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Disability Resource Center.

Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues

Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability.  Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.

Title IX Resources  

For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident. 

Religious Holidays

It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.

Copyright Policy

It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.

Registration and Withdrawal

If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Grievances

In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.