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General Information:
This course provides an interdisciplinary, in-depth introduction
to several important environmental issues such as ground water
contamination,
air pollution
and handling of hazardous materials. We consider the
key physical and chemical processes, and the legal, political and
ethical implications, along with the
quantitative aspects involved in
these
issues. Students learn how mathematical models are used naturally and
routinely
to help analyze these issues fully.
Computers are used to keep
virtual
involvement in environmental issues via the Internet; to keep
track
of data using EXCEL spreadsheets; and to analyze
hazardous
material
case scenarios using a user friendly, interactive HazMat software
called
ALOHA. In addition, we maintain contact with agencies or
industries
involved in environmental issues through field trips or guest speakers.
All classes start in MSB 311. Almost every
Thursday we move over
to
the Computer Lab for the last hour of the class.
If you are late and find no one in MSB 311, please come
to the Computer
Lab.
Computer Lab
Operating Hours: 
MSB
203: Undergraduate Mac Lab
Textbooks:
Required:
Mathematical Modeling in
the Environment, by Charles R. Hadlock. MAA, 1998.
Recommended: Microsoft EXCEL
2002 (or later year) Simplified, IDG Books 3-D Visual
Series,
maranGraphics.
Supplementary Material For Chapter 4 will be given as handouts in
class.
Other Requirements:
Required: A
simple Scientific Calculator , for example TI-30Xa.
Optional:
A Math Department Computer Lab Account (Free).
Optional: A
Jump (Key) Drive
(32 MB or more) for saving computer work.
(The last two items are discussed in class, and can be handled
after
classes start)
Homework Policy:
Homework is assigned every class and collected every Tuesday.
They
are returned the following Tuesday with remarks or graded. Most of
the
homework assignments carry exam points rather then grades (I will
explain this in more
details
in class). There are 2 - 6 exercises every week. Most
homework
assignments will be group projects. The total weight of the homework
grades is about 10% of the total grade of the course.
General Education
Component:
Math
108QC satisfies a Content Area 3: Science and Technology (CA3) general
education requirement. In addition, Math 108QC
satisfies the
"old" general education C (computer) requirement.
According to UConn policy, this means that students
must obtain a passing grade on the
computer assignments in order
to pass this course. The computer assignments consist of all
homework assignments involving Web Searches,
use
of
EXCEL,
and use of the interactive HazMat software ALOHA. Please, make sure you
turn in all
computer assignments!
Exam Schedule:
Exam
1: Tuesday, February 20, 11:00 - 12:15, Room: MSB
311
Exam
2: Thursday, April 5, 11:00
-
12:15, Room: MSB 311
Final Exam:
Thursday, May 3, 10:30 - 12:30, Room: YNG 233
(Note: The buiding is YOUNG, not MSB)
For
help with location of the Final Exam Building
click on The
Campus Map.
Grading Policy:
Homework: about 10%. Each Exam (including the Final Exam): about
30%
Links To Internet Resources:
Math 108 LINKS
This page includes links to general and chapter specific information
sites, software download sites (ALOHA, CAMEO),
online Calculator and Conversion Tables sites, and more .
Syllabus:
Assignments may occasionally vary
according to progress in class.
Approximate schedule: four weeks for each of the chapters 2, 3 and 4;
additional
two weeks for Chapter 1, reviews, Exams,
and guest speakers or field trips.
A * denotes an exercise using computers. All
starred exercises MUST be handed in.
| Section | Topic | Reading Assignment | Homework |
| Chapter 1 | Introduction | Chapter 1 | Environmental Math Autobiography |
| Chapter 2 | |||
| Section 2.1 | Background to groundwater | 2.1 | page 11-12: Exercises 1*, 2* |
| Section 2.2 | Physical Principles | 2.2 | page 15: Exercise 1*, 2* |
| Section 2.3 | Quantitative Issues | 2.3 | |
| Section 2.4 | Darcy's Law | 2.4 | page 30-31: Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| Section 2.5 | Interstitial Velocity | 2.5 | page 36: Exercises 1, 2, 3 |
| Section 2.7 | Head Contour Diagrams (Calculators) |
2.7 | page 44: Exercises 1,2 (Calculators) |
| Section 2.7 | Head Contour Diagrams (EXCEL) | page 44: Exercises 1*, 2* (EXCEL) | |
| Exam 1 | |||
| Chapter 3 | |||
| Section 3.1 | Background to air quality | 3.1 | page 59-60: Exercise 2* |
| Section 3.2 | Physical Principles | 3.2 | page 72: Exercises 1, 2, 3, 5 |
| Section 3.3 | Typical Quantitative Issues | 3.3 | page 74-75: Exercise 3* |
| Section 3.4 | Exponential Functions | 3.4 | page 79: Exercises 1,2,3,4(Calculators) |
| Section 3.4 |
Exponential Functions (EXCEL) | |
page 79:Exercises1*, 2*, 3*,
4*(EXCEL) |
| Section 3.5 | One Dimensional Diffusion | 3.5 | page 81-82: Exercises 1*, 2*, 3*, 4* |
| Section 3.6 (Optional) | Two Dimensional Diffusion | 3.6 | page 85-86: Exercises 1, 2*, 3 |
| Section 3.7 | The Basic PLUME Model | 3.7 | page 95-96: Exercises 3*, 4* |
| Exam 2 | |||
| Chapter 4 | |||
| Section 4.1 | Background To HazMat | 4.1 | page 108: Exercise 1* |
| Section 4.2 | HazMat Practices | 4.2 | |
| Section 4.3 | |||
| 4.3.1.1 | Physics And Chemistry Basics | 4.3.1.1 | page 113: Exercise 1* |
| 4.3.1.2 | Physical Properties Of Matter | 4.3.1.2 | page 119: Exercise 1*, 3, 4, 5 |
| 4.3.3 (Modified) | Toxicity Hazards | 4.3.3 and Supplementary Material |
Homework 1* CAMEO (Handout) |
| ALOHA: Analysis of Case Scenarios | Case Scenarios | Supplementary Material | Homework 2* ALOHA (Handout) |
| ALOHA: More Case Scenarios |
Case Scenarios |
Supplementary Material |
Homework 3* ALOHA (Handout) |
| Final Exam |
This page is maintained by Sarah Glaz 
Last modified: Spring 2007