Kish International Campus

Ph.D. Degree Program in

Environmental Engineering- Air Pollution

Introduction:

The Ph.D. degree program in Environmental Engineering- Air Pollution is a multidisciplinary program that involves the applications of scientific knowledge and engineering solution to control pollution and to provide clean air for the workers in industries. Air pollutants are a complex mix of chemicals emitted by human and natural sources and formed in the atmosphere such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, heavy metal trace species, volatile organic compounds, and hydrocarbons. Air pollution engineering consists of two major components, air pollution control and air quality engineering. Air pollution control focuses on the fundamentals of air pollutant formation in process technologies and the identification of options for mitigating or preventing air pollutant emissions. Globally, air pollution is responsible for over four million premature deaths annually. Air quality engineering deals with large-scale, multi-source control strategies, with focus on the physics and chemistry of pollutant interactions in the atmosphere.

PhD Curriculum

The PhD of Environmental Engineering- Air Pollution requires completion of 36 credits, a set of specialty courses (18 credits) and a PhD thesis (18 credits). The main emphasis of the program is on the successful completion of an original and independent research project written and defended as a dissertation.

Comprehensive Exam

Comprehensive Exam should be taken at most at the end of the 4th semester and is required before a student could defend the Ph.D. proposal. Students will have two chances to pass the Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam. If students receive an evaluation of "unsatisfactory" on their first Comprehensive Exam attempt, the student may retake the qualifier once. A second failure will result in termination from the program. The Comprehensive Exam is designed to ensure that the student starts early in gaining research experience; it also ensures that the student has the potential to conduct doctoral-level research.

Ph.D. Proposal

The Ph.D. proposal must contain Specific Aims, Research Design and Methods, and Proposed Work and Timeline. In addition the proposal must also contain a bibliography and, as attachments, any publications/supplementary materials. The student must defend their thesis proposal to their committee in an oral exam.

Thesis

A student should choose a thesis advisor (and one or two co-advisors if required) within the first year of being in the PhD program, approved by the Faculty committee. In the second year a thesis committee suggested by the advisor alongside by the Ph.D. proposal should be handed over for approval. The thesis committee should consist of a minimum of five faculty members. Two members of thesis committee should be from the other Universities at the associate Professor level. Not later than the end of the 5th semester a student has to present and defend a written PhD proposal.

Research Progress

A student is expected to meet with his/her thesis committee at least once a year to review the research progress. In the beginning of each university calendar year, each student and the student's advisor are required to submit an evaluation assessment of the student's progress, outlining past year accomplishments and plans for the current year. The thesis committee reviews these summaries and sends the student a letter summarizing their status in the program. Students who are failing to make satisfactory progress are expected to correct any deficiencies and move to the next milestone within one year. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

PhD Dissertation

Within 4 years after entering the PhD program, the student is expected to complete the thesis research; the student must have the results of the research accepted or published in peer reviewed journals. Upon submitting a written thesis and public defense and approval by the committee, the student is awarded the PhD degree. The defense will consist of (1) a presentation of the dissertation by the graduate student, (2) questioning by the general audience, and (3) closed door questioning by the dissertation committee. The student will be informed of the exam result at the completion of all three parts of the dissertation defense. All members of the committee must sign the final report of the doctoral committee and the final version of the dissertation.

A minimum GPA of 16 over 20 must be maintained for graduation.

Leveling Courses (not applicable to degree)

The Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering- Air Pollution assumes a Master degree in related fields. However students holding any other master degree besides will be required to complete leveling courses that are designed to provide a back ground for the Ph.D. courses.  These leveling courses are decided by the faculty committee and are not counted for graduate credits towards the Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering- Air Pollution.

Specialty courses: 9 courses required; 18 credits

Course descriptions:

Indoor Air Quality and Its Special Techniques

Course content:

Introduction To Sick Buildings, Of Good Indoor Air Quality, IAQ Hazards To Human Health and Productivity, HVAC Basics and Indoor Air Quality, Improving Ventilation, Recycling Air, Controlling Humidity and Moisture, The Value of Duct Cleaning, The IAQ Program, Potential Threats Sprout in a Watery World, Trade Associations organizations, IAQ HVAC and Energy Terms, Manufacturers Suppliers

References

Gaseous Air Pollutant Control from Stationary Sources

Course content:

Introduction to Air Pollution Control, Air Pollution Effects, Air Pollution Control Laws and Regulations Air Pollution Control Philosophies, Air Pollution Measurements Emission Estimates, Meteorology for Air Pollution Control Engineers, Air Pollutant Concentration Models, General Ideas in Air Pollution Control, The Nature of Particulate Pollutants, Control of Primary Particulates, Control of Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs, Control of Sulfur Oxides, Control of Nitrogen Oxides, The Motor Vehicle Problem, Air Pollutants and Global Climate

References

Noise pollution control from sources

Course content:

Environmental Noise Pollution, Representing Sound Levels with the Decibel Scale, Outdoor Sound Propagation, Environmental Noise and Health, Strategic Noise Mapping, Transportation Noise, Industrial and Construction Type Noise, Noise Mitigation Approaches, Noise Control
References
[1] E. Murphy, E. A. King, Environmental Noise Pollution, Elsevier, 2014.

Industrial ventilation

Course content:

Industrial Air Technology, Description, Terminology, Design Methodology of Industrial Air Technology, Physical Fundamentals, Physiological and Toxicological Considerations, Target Levels, Principles of Air and Contaminant Movement Inside and Around Buildings, Room Air Conditioning, Air Handling Unit and Ductwork Local Ventilation, Design with Modeling Techniques, Experimental Techniques, Gas Cleaning Technology, Pneumatic Conveying, Environmental Assessment Tools, Economic Aspects

References

Advanced Air Pollution Modelling

Course content:

Atmospheric structure composition and thermodynamics, The continuity and thermodynamic energy equations, The momentum equation in Cartesian and spherical coordinates, Vertical coordinate conversions, Numerical solutions to partial differential equations, Finite differencing the equations of atmospheric dynamics, Boundary layer and surface processes, Radiative energy transfer, Gas phase species chemical reactions and reaction rates, Urban free tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry, Methods of solving chemical ordinary differential equations, Particle components size distributions and size structures, Aerosol emission and nucleation, Coagulation, Condensation evaporation deposition and sublimation, Chemical equilibrium and dissolution processes, Cloud thermodynamics and dynamics, Irreversible aqueous chemistry, Sedimentation dry deposition and air-sea exchange, Model design application and testing
References

Mobile Sources Emissions Estimating Models

Course content:

Environmental Impact and History of Modern Transportation, Fundamentals of Vehicle Propulsion and Brake, Internal Combustion Engines, Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Electric Propulsion Systems, Design Principle of Series Electrical Coupling Hybrid Electric Drive Train, Parallel Mechanically Coupled Hybrid Electric Drive Train Design, Design and Control Methodology of Series Parallel Torque and Speed Coupling Hybrid Drive Train, Design and Control Principles of PlugIn Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Mild Hybrid Electric Drive Train Design, Peaking Power Sources and Energy Storages, Fundamentals of Regenerative Breaking, Fuel Cells, Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Drive Train Design, Design of Series Hybrid Drive Train for Off-Road Vehicles

References

New Methods of Air Pollutants Measurements

Course content:

Gaseous Pollutants in the Air, Physicochemical Properties of Gases and Solutions, Meteorological Aspects of Air Pollution, Characteristics of Stack Plumes, Sampling and Measurement of Air Pollution, Particulate Control Technologies, Absorption of Gaseous Emissions, Adsorption of Gaseous Pollutants, Air Pollution Control by Combustion, Control of Sulphur Dioxide Emissions, Emission Control of Nitrogen Oxides, Control of Organic Emissions, Indoor Air Pollution , Automobile Emission Control, Global Climate Change, Ozone and Chlorofluorocarbons in the Stratosphere, Acid Rain, Noise Pollution, Magnitude and Effects of Air Pollution, Air Pollution in India and the World, Emission Standards Legislation and Administration, Air Pollution Indices and Surveys, Techniques for the Analysis of Air Pollutants, Chemical Analysis of Selected Air Pollutants, Conversion from ppm to µgm3, Conversion Factors, National Air Quality Monitoring Program NAMP

References

Indoor Air Quality Modeling

Course content:

Nature Sources and Toxicity of Pollutants of Indoor Air, Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution, Risk Assessment, Investigation Diagnosis and Management of Illnesses and Complaints Related to Buildings, Dynamics of Indoor Air Contaminants, Indoor Air Quality Investigations in Buildings, Control of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality and Selected International Programs

References

Application of Nano and Biotechnology in Air Pollution Control

Course content:

Alkanolamines for Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide Removal, Mechanical Design and Operation of Alkanolamine Plants, Removal and Use of Ammonia in Gas Purification, Alkaline Salt Solutions for Acid Gas Removal, Water as an Absorbent for Gas Impurities, Sulfur Dioxide Removal, Sulfur Recovery Processes, Liquid Phase Oxidation Processes for Hydrogen Sulfide Removal, Control of Nitrogen Oxides, Absorption of Water Vapor by Dehydrating Solutions, Gas Dehydration and Purification by Adsorption, Thermal and Catalytic Conversion of Gas Impurities, Physical Solvents for Acid Gas Removal, Membrane Permeation Processes, Miscellaneous Gas Purification Techniques

References

Energy and Environment

Course content:

Energy and climate protection, Solar radiation, Non-concentrated solar thermal, Concentrated solar power, Photovoltaics, Wind energy, Hydropower, Geothermal energy, Using biomass, Hydrogen production fuel cells and methanation, Calculating economic feasibility, Energy efficiency in the design of buildings, Governing the transition to a new energy economy.

References

Atmospheric Aerosols

Course content:

Properties of Gases, Particle Size Statistics, Adhesion of Particles, Brownian Motion and Diffusion, Thermal and Radiometric Forces, Filtration, Sampling and Measurement, Respiratory Deposition, Atmospheric Aerosols, The Role of Morphology on Aerosol Particle Reactivity, Toluene Decomposition on Water Droplets in Corona Discharge, Surface Activity of Perfluorinated Compounds at the Air-Water Interface, Atmospheric Chemistry of Urban Surface Films, Understanding Climatic Effects of Aerosols: Modeling Radiative Effects of Aerosols, Environmental Effects to Residential following Hurricane Katrina: Indoor Sediment as Well as Vapor-Phase and Aerosolized Contaminants

References

Health Risk Assessment of Air Pollutants

Course content:

Epidemiological and Toxicological Studies, Routes of Exposure, The Dose Response Relationship, Absorption Distribution Metabolism and Elimination of Toxics, Target Organ Effects, Survey of Toxic Substances, Radiation Pathogens and Naturally Occurring Toxins, Mutagens Teratogens and Carcinogens, Risk Assessment and Acute Exposure Treatment

References

Air Pollution Engineering Management

Course content:

Environmental science on the move, The sustainability debate, Environmental politics and policy processes, Environmental and ecological economics, Biodiversity and ethics, Population adaptation and resilience, Climate change, Managing the oceans, Coastal processes and management, GIS and environmental management, Soil erosion and land degradation, River processes and management, Groundwater pollution and protection, Marine and estuarine pollution, Urban air pollution and public health, Preventing disease, Environmental risk management, Waste management, Managing the global commons

References

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Course content:

Climate change matters, Why is the present rapid warming happening?, Learning from the past, Projecting the future, Uncertainty is inevitable but risk is certain, Endnotes, What climate changes are likely?, Why be concerned?, living with climate change, limiting climate change, Why mitigation is necessary Targets how much mitigation is needed?, Climate change in context, The politics of greenhouse, International concern and national interests a brief history The Kyoto Protocol National interests and climate change, Accepting the challenge, Waking the sleeping giants Effects of a breakdown in the ocean circulation

References

Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Course content:

The atmospheric boundary layer, History, Observing the ABL, Applications, Scope of the book, Nomenclature and some definitions, Basic equations for mean and fluctuating quantities, Governing equations for mean and fluctuating quantities, The simplified mean equations, The turbulence closure problem, The second moment equations, Turbulent kinetic energy and stability parameters, Scaling laws for mean and turbulent quantities, the neutral case, the non-neutral surface layer, 34 Generalized ABL similarity theory, 35 Similarity theory and turbulence statistics, Notes and bibliography, Surface roughness and local advection, Scalar roughness lengths, The vegetation canopy, Flow over the sea, Local advection and the internal boundary layer, Energy fluxes at the land surface, Radiation fluxes, Evaporation, Condensation, The thermally stratified atmospheric boundary layer, The stable nocturnal boundary layer, The marine atmospheric boundary layer, Mesoscale flow and IBL growth, The cloud topped boundary layer, General properties of the CTBL

References

Advanced Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Course content:

General Lessons from Specific Cases, Adapting Conservation Strategies to Climate Change in Southern Africa, Benefits and Costs of Adapting Water Planning and Management to Climate Change and Water Demand Growth in the Western Cape, Indigenous Knowledge Institutions and Practices for Coping with Variable Climate in the Limpopo Basin of Botswana, Community Development and Coping with Drought in Rural Sudan, Adapting to Changing Risks, Making Economic Sense of Adaptation in Upland Cereal Production Systems in The Gambia, Past Present and Future Adaptation by Rural Households of Northern Nigeria, Using Seasonal Weather Forecasts for Adapting Food Production to Climate Variability and Climate Change in Nigeria, Adapting Dryland and Irrigated Cereal Farming to Climate Change in Tunisia and Egypt, Adapting to Drought Zud and Climate Change in Mongolias Rangelands, Evaluation of Adaptation Options for the Heihe River Basin of China, A Placebased Approach, Spillovers and Tradeoffs of Adaptation in the Pantabangan Carranglan Watershed of the Philippines, Mainstreaming Adaptation in Pacific Island Townships, Adapting to Dengue Risk in the Caribbean

References

Application of Energy Models in Environment

Course content:

Energy beyond Oil: a global perspective, Arresting Carbon Dioxide Emissions: why and how?, Geothermal Energy, Wave and Tidal Power, Wind Energy, Nuclear Fission, Ion, Fusion Energy, Photovoltaic and Photo electrochemical Conversion of Solar Energy, Biological Solar Energy, Sustainable Hydrogen Energy, Fuel Cells, Energy Efficiency in the Design of Buildings, Governing the Transition to a New Energy Economy.

References

Air Quality Monitoring Network Design

Course content:

Planning Air Pollution Monitoring Networks in Industrial Areas by Means of Remote Sensed Images and GIS Techniques, Design of Urban Air Quality Monitoring Network: Fuzzy Based Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach, Malodor Detection Based on Electronic Nose, "Nuisance Dusts"- Validation and Application of a Novel Dry Deposition Method for Total Dust Fall, Characterization of Particles Transmitted by Wind from Waste Dump of Phosphatic Fertilizers Plant Deposited on Biological Sample Surfaces, Role of the Ionic Component and Carbon Fractions in the Fine and Coarse Fractions of Particulate Matter for the Identification of Pollution Sources: Application of Receptor Models, Monitoring and Reporting VOCs in Ambient Air, Estimated Atmospheric Emissions from Mobile Sources and Assessment of Air Quality in The Urban Area, Application of Remote Sensing Instrument in Air Quality Monitoring, The Surveillance of the Air Quality in the Vicinity of an Active Volcano : Case of the Piton de la Fournaise, Remote Zones Air Quality. Persistent Organic Pollutants: Sources, Sampling and Analysis, Asian Dust Storm as a Natural Source of Air Pollution in East Asia; its Nature, Aging and Extinction, Genetic Biomarkers Applied to Environmental Air Quality: Ecological and Human Health Aspects, An Evaluation of Atmospheric Aerosols in Kanana, Klerksdorp Gold Mining Town, in the North-West Province of South Africa, Some Guidelines to Improve the Air Quality Management of Santiago, Chile, Multi-year Assessment of Airborne Metals in Fallon, Nevada, Using Leaf-surface Chemistry, Organic Compound in Airborne Particles and their Genottoxic Effects in Mexico City

References

GIS and Remote Sensing In Air Pollution

Course content:

Taxonomy of environmental models in the spatial sciences, New environmental remote sensing systems, Geographic data for environmental modelling and assessment, A global perspective, Vegetation mapping and monitoring, Application of remote sensing and geographic information systems in wildlife mapping and modelling, Biodiversity mapping and modelling, Approaches to spatially distributed hydrological modelling in a GIS environment, Remote sensing and geographic information systems for natural disaster management, Land use planning and environmental impact assessment using geographic information systems

References

Atmosphere Chemistry

Course content:

Earth Atmosphere, Physics of the Atmosphere, Sources and Sinks of Atmospheric Species, By Ann M Holloway and Richard P Wayne, Ozone, Cyclic Processes, Life and the Atmosphere, Chemistry in the Troposphere, The Stratosphere, Airglow Aurora and Ions, Mans Adverse Influences on the Atmosphere

References

Energy Economy and Air Pollution

Course content:

Introduction to Energy Economics, Energy Demand Analysis and Forecasting, Economics of Energy Supply, Energy Markets, Issues Facing the Energy Sector, Economics of Energy Environment Interactions, Regulation and Governance of the Energy Sector, Object-oriented database and modelling system, IO macro-finance and trade model specification, Endogenized trade shares in a global model, Policy agenda, The case of South-East Asia, The case of Russia, Carbon tax and labour compensation a simulation for G7, comparison of methodologies, A very long term view of the global community

References