EVEN 5444: Special Topics: Analytical Methods, Experimental Design and Applied Data Analysis

  • Are you curious about how to efficiently design experiments for complex systems with lots of variables?
  • Do you want to learn statistical methods for analyzing data from engineering studies?
  • Do you plan to conduct lab- or field-based research where sample collection and analysis is important?
  • Do you wish you could be more confident about measurements from analytical instruments and want to learn about developing a QA/QC program?

If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then this course might be for you. 

This course focuses on experimental design and applied statistical methods for data analysis. Students will learn how to design and interpret experiments considering multiple variables, avoiding confounding effects, and identifying interactions between variables. The skills learned in this course are not specific to academic research. Practicing engineers use applied research techniques to troubleshoot and optimize systems, and the course topics are directly transferrable to those scenarios. These statistical tools are applied to analytical methods to validate environmental samples. Students will learn how to decipher analytical methods to ensure that environmental samples are collected and analyzed following robust QA/QC procedures. We will develop and apply these concepts using analytical methods commonly encountered in environmental engineering (e.g., organic carbon and spectroscopy).

​Offered: Spring 2019 - 2023

EVEN/CVEN 4464: Environmental Engineering Processes

Environmental engineers solve problems that require a fundamental understanding of how contaminants are transported and transformed in engineered and natural systems. This course develops a foundation in fate and transport by exploring the topics of mass balances, reactor hydraulics, chemical reaction kinetics, reactor design and mass transport. Students learn the fundamental theories and apply that knowledge to environmental engineering applications. This course also develops problem solving skills using computational tools.

​Offered: Fall 2018-2022

EVEN 5830: Advanced Aquatic Chemistry & Instrument Analysis

This course explores the techniques used in environmental aquatic chemistry through the lens of classic papers. For each topic, an introductory text introducing the analytical chemistry technique is paired with highly cited ‘classic’ papers in the field for application. We will learn how the methods work and how they have been applied to advance the environmental science and engineering. Class time will be dedicated to discussions that are either instructor- or student-led – not lectures that reiterate readings. The workload of this course is focused on critical reading, writing, and discussing. Learning objectives are assessed through class preparation/participation, discussion leadership, and a written semester project.

​Offered: Spring 2023

CVEN 5834: Special Topics: Analytical Methods in Environmental Engineering

The field of environmental engineering relies heavily on a number of analytical techniques, and these data become the basis for many engineering decisions, which requires a basic level of understanding of measurement theory and limitations. The main objective of this course is to introduce students to the theory and application of analytical instruments that are commonly used by environmental engineers. This course also introduces statistical tools used to design an analytical method, evaluate data, and quantify uncertainty.

​Offered: Spring 2015