2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CIVE5370M Indoor and Urban Air Quality

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Professor Cath Noakes
Email: C.J.Noakes@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces sources, dispersion and health and environmental impacts of a range of airborne contaminants, including microorganisms, in the urban and indoor environments. Students will gain an understanding of the issues of poor air quality, the regulatory environment, approaches to analysing exposure and risk, and operational and engineering approaches to controlling and mitigating impacts.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will be able to:

- Describe the health and environmental impacts of poor air quality and have an awareness of the supporting evidence for the impact of a range of pollutants;
- Have an understanding of WHO, EU and UK guidance and regulation on outdoor and indoor air quality, and the rationale behind it;
- Explain the mechanisms for dispersion and exposure to airborne pollutants and carry out relevant calculations;
- Understand how to assess IAQ problems and have experience of how sensor data can be used to evaluate indoor environments;
- Understand the principles of ventilation and the relationship this has to comfort, air quality and energy;
- Understand the challenge of airborne disease transmission and the factors that influence risk;
- Evaluate potential solutions to dealing with air quality problems and the feasibility of application to different scenarios.

Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of:

- Regulatory requirements around indoor and outdoor air quality;
- Health impacts of poor air quality;
- Sources of indoor and outdoor airborne contaminants;
- Mechanisms for the transport of airborne contaminants;
- Airborne disease transmission;
- Role of transport, climate and city design in urban air pollution;
- Methods of measuring and quantifying air quality and risk;
- Building ventilation design and the impact on air quality;
- Engineering and operational solutions to air quality;
- Current and future challenges for developed and developing countries

Skills outcomes
- Research Skills;
- Team Working;
- Skills in data analysis, mathematical modelling and risk analysis.

Syllabus

AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS AND THEIR SOURCES
- Types of pollutants and evidence for their impact;
- Dispersion and deposition of pollutants;
- Aerosol mechanics.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
- WHO guidelines;
- EU/UK regulation.

OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY
- Air quality and transport;
- Air quality, weather and climate;
- Solutions through urban design.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
- Challenges in different countries/environments;
- Measuring and modelling indoor environmental conditions;
- Ventilation;
- Investigating IAQ;
- Engineering solutions.

AIRBORNE INFECTION
- Introduction to aerobiology and airborne infection;
- Modelling airborne infection risk;
- Control strategies and technologies.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Consultation	1	2.00	2.00
Group learning	2	8.00	16.00
Lecture	24	1.00	24.00
Practical	2	3.00	6.00
Seminar	2	3.00	6.00
Private study hours			96.00
Total Contact hours			54.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Reading research papers, guidance and policy documents, group and individual work to prepare assessed seminars, revision for exam.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will get opportunity for feedback on their preparation for the group presentation in a consultation session, where they will be able to share their plans with staff prior to the final presentation. They will receive verbal and written feedback after the assessed presentation. A revision class will support exam preparation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	Group research presentation & short group report	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Re-sit - 100% examination

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Re-sit - 100% examination

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 27/03/2019

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