2021 Faculty Courses School of Environment and Society Undergraduate major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering English I
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Anil Wijeyewickrema / Quoc Tinh Bui
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 1-2 Tue (M113)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CVE.L210
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2021
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
CEE-I is designed to assist students to develop and improve their communication skills in the areas of water and environment. Presentation assignments and writing assignments cover listening, speaking and writing.
This course aims to improve the English communication abilities of students in the areas of water and environment.
Course description and aims
By completing this course, students will be able to:
1) Have increased vocabulary in the areas of water and environment.
2) Have better presentation skills in the areas of water and environment.
3) Have confidence in using English to discuss issues in the areas of water and environment.
Keywords
Aquifer, desalination, drought, evaporation, irrigation, precipitation, water-cycle, water shortages, water treatment, water purification; air-pollution, brown sludge, deforestation, domestic waste, eutrophication, global warming, greenhouse effect, industrial waste, landfills, marine dumping, sewage
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
All students are expected to actively participate in the class by asking questions and answering questions. Students in groups of three to five (depending on class size) will make presentations on water and environment. Students improve their understanding of the course contents by completing homework writing assignments.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to course themes: Environment and Water. Self-introduction by students. | Explain course themes of environment and water. |
| Class 2 | Pollution (Land, Air and Water Pollution) - Video and Discussion Keywords: brown sludge, deforestation, domestic waste, industrial waste, landfills, marine dumping, sewage | Explain meaning of keywords associated with environment. |
| Class 3 | Group Presentation #1A: Pollution Problems {air, land, water} and Engineering Solutions | Asking questions and answering questions related to environment. |
| Class 4 | Group Presentation #1B: Pollution Problems {air, land, water} and Engineering Solutions | Asking questions and answering questions related to environment. |
| Class 5 | Water, Water Everywhere! - Video and Discussion. Keywords: aquifer, drought, evaporation, irrigation, precipitation, water-cycle | Explain meaning of keywords associated with water. |
| Class 6 | Group Presentation #2A: Water Problems in {Africa, Asia, Australia, USA} with an Example of Engineering Response | Asking questions and answering questions related to water problems. |
| Class 7 | Group Presentation #2B: Water Problems in {Africa, Asia, Australia, USA} with an Example of Engineering Response | Asking questions and answering questions related to water problems. |
| Class 8 | Final Exam: Individual Presentations |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None required
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Strunk Jr, W. and White, E. B., 2000, The Elements of Style, 4th edition, Longman, New York.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students' knowledge of water and environment and their ability to communicate will be assessed.
PPT- Assignments - 40%, W-Assignments - 30%, Final PPT presentation - 30%. Final Exam Presentation is required to get credit for the course.
Related courses
- CVE.L211 ： Civil Engineering English Ⅱ
- CVE.L212 ： Civil Engineering English Ⅲ
- CVE.L310 ： Civil Engineering English Ⅳ
Prerequisites
None