Environmental Quality Management profile offers their graduates possession of the comprehensive knowledge developed simultaneously with practical skills, focusing on the environmental protection issues with the engineering – related taste. Not to mention every single features evolving during the course, graduates will be able to solve environmental engineering problems associated with sustainable development, circular economy, renewable energy resources, the pollution of environment and climate changes. Engineering skills possessed in planning, designing and conducting research projects allows our alumni to exploit their knowledge as highly skilled professionals solving problems related to water supply and sewer systems, wastewater processing, air protection, solid waste management and even materials science. We focus on biodegradable materials as a substituents for petroleum based plastics, smart renewable energy sector and other emerging technologies and processes being a huge step forward to existently utilised ones. Contemporary and genuine labour market needs mainly drives our tutors to stay up to date with the educational programme issues offered within the course. MSc studies program and tutoring materials were prepared within the EU project framework: “The development of the potential and academic programmes of Wroclaw University of Technology” (contract no. UDA-POKL.04.01.01-00-125/09-00).

• Diploma of the I level studies in: Environmental Engineering,? Environmental Protection Technologies or related.
  
  
• Each application is assessed individually on its merits. If in doubt, please contact the Admission Officer (admission.pwr.edu.pl).
  
  
• English: TOEFL - 550 points or IELTS - 6 points

A list of courses carried out during 3 semesters of graduate studies:

• Air pollutants and their sources – lecture, laboratory
• AutoCad – laboratory
• Automation in environmental engineering – laboratory
• Biodegradable materials – lecture
• Biomonitoring - lecture
• Building regulations – lecture
• Engineering applications of mathematical statistics – lecture, tutorial
• Environmental chemistry – lecture, laboratory
• Environmental health hazards – lecture
• Environmental Management – lecture
• Environmental toxicology – lecture, laboratory
• Membrane separation processes in environmental protection – lecture, laboratory
• Methods and techniques of air pollutants measurement – lecture
• Modelling of water sewage treatment processes – lecture, computer laboratory
• Organization of construction works – lecture
• Raw materials management – lecture, seminar
• Reliability of engineering systems – lecture
• Renewable energy systems – lecture
• Sanitary biology – lecture, laboratory
• Sewage systems – lecture, project
• Solid waste management – lecture, laboratory
• Waste gases purification – lecture, tutorial
• Waste water treatment technology – lecture, laboratory
• Water quality management – lecture
• Water supply systems – lecture, project
• Water treatment technology – lecture, laboratory

For detailed description please refer to programme of studies and course grid for EQM spec.

Gallery

Environmental toxicology course

Raw materials management and Solid waste management course

Environmental chemistry course

Membrane separation processes in environmental protection course

Water supply systems course

Theoretical competences and practical expertise is established within the following thematic groups of courses

Fundamental approach

The objective of the group of courses is to provide the essential information concerning the chemistry of air, water systems and solids. Knowledge related to the use and conservation of natural resources, protection of habitats and control of hazards, spanning the field of environmental management without regard to traditional disciplinary boundaries will be spread out in the context of the interaction and impact of human activities on the natural environment. The environmental protection strategy based on ‘Plan, Do, Check, Act‘ model is discussed taking into consideration the linkage between economy aspect and the ecological threats. In that context, principles of energy conversion and technologies behind various renewable energy sources is presented. Routs of multigeneration, the structure of current energy systems and infrastructure of future smart technical solutions, integration of various hybrid renewable energy sources and their environmental impact are only few topics to be discussed over.

Also, exploitation of natural indicators (e.g. bacterial activity) is presented by means of environment protection but also commercial application and appliances.

Air pollution and protection

Air pollution is a major and global concern, arising for the most part from human activities, having undoubtedly negative effect on surrounding environment in particular - human health. The group of courses deal with the essential aspects concerning protection of the atmosphere. In particular, provides a comprehensive understanding of the causes and effects of air pollution: What is an air pollution? What are the sources of the most important air pollutants? How and where are living organisms exposed to harmful chemicals? What are the health consequences of exposure to polluted air? Which group is most vulnerable to polluted air?

As air pollution is making too many headlines, professionals need reliable and actionable air quality data to support the effective decision-making. Introduction to the different methods and techniques dedicated to air pollutant measurement is the second main goal of this course package. Proper samples collection from various locations, good laboratory practice principles, comprehensive theoretical knowledge and practical aspects associated with air quality monitoring are some of the concerns. The icing on the cake is waste gasses purification labs practiced by means of ab- and adsorption as well catalytic conversion.

Water and wastewater processing

This course package is in general related to the quality of hydrosphere and mechanisms of pollutants transformation and migration in water systems as well improving water quality. The impact of self-purification ability of natural water, basic principles of mathematical model construction for forecasting water quality variation, advanced and non-conventional water and waste-water treatment processes is presented during the lectures. Activated sludge (BNRAS), the principles of nitrogen and/or phosphorous removal in A2O, UCT, Bardenpho, PhoStrip, Anammox, CANON processes are explained. In connection with the fundamentals and applications of pressure- and electro-membrane processes in water purification one gets comprehensive recognition of water-related issues in environment protection applications. Most of deliberated issues are also addressed to the lab classes during which students are challenged in practical way with water processing technologies.

Solid materials management

Raw and solid waste management course package provides knowledge about the challenges of circular economy (focusing on European legislation initiatives and forthcoming strategies), related to resources management, including the current problems related to critical and scarce resources. Global reserves and exploitation rates, as well as technologies related to acquiring and processing of energy resources, selected metallic and non-metallic mineral resources, energy resources are discussed in detail. As for solid waste management – special approach is made to focus on efforts put on closing material cycles and best available waste management technologies.

During seminars, students enhance their competences elaborating case studies related to the mining and resource processing activities worldwide, being confronted with emphasis on legal and technological aspects of waste management.

Materials science

Organisation of construction works, reliability of engineering systems and discussion of alternative materials utilised in engineering applications give students an insight into basics of science of engineering materials in aspect of environmental impact. Starting from the early activities (i.e. the Club of Rome) which led to forming of modern EU policies (sustainable development, circular economy etc.) through the more specific subjects as biodegradability or composting of such materials. The main part of the lecture is focusing on different up to date applications and processing technologies of biodegradable materials such as packaging sector, automotive, medicine and other.

Numerical Methods

Solving engineering problems without having analytical skills and computational assistance is almost an impossible task. For this reason a group of “computational” courses were created. Statistical methods like: inferential statistics and descriptive statistics, confidence intervals determination, statistical hypotheses testing, analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression analysis are an introductory activities for better engineering practice. Practical courses intended for general computer assisted design, operating simple automation systems, design and modelling water supply systems and simulation models for water and wastewater treatment are also introduced. A special focus is given for the need of extended period simulations (EPS) in the EPANET application. Students learn how to use EPANET software for effective design and performs verification of typical water distribution system (newly designed and currently built). Also, an adaptation of already existing systems e.g. old combined systems into changing hydrological conditions due to climate change and impervious catchments’ surfaces increase is presented.

Job prospects

Having the general knowledge acquired, after graduation you will be qualified for working in research and development institutes. Specialisation allows you to take the advantage to work in design offices and enterprises which are involved in: water supply, wastewater treatment, waste management, contaminated land remediation, broad spectrum of renewable energy technologies, air pollution control and abatement.

PhD Studies

The EQM ambitious graduates and those who would like to continue the professional career at the University are cordially welcome to apply for 3rd cycle of studies. After completing the 3rd level you will achieve the title of PhD of Wroclaw University of Science and Technology that is widely recognized all over the world.

During PhD studies, you will have a unique chance to develop your scientific ideas within 4-year Doctoral School, by carrying on practical experiments under personal supervision of scientific staff members. Meeting the newest techniques, visiting industrial plants and confronting authorities from all over the World are additional benefits that will be transformed into your daily routine.

So, what to do next? If you like to become a PhD student please contact the professor related to the field of your interest firstly. Remember to manifest your interest asap as in some cases our candidates for PhD studies are allowed to start their scientific journey at the Master level. It does not cost a single penny.