HOME PAGE OF MATH 108QC:glaz@math.uconn.edux
(click on link and remove end x)
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
