The objective of this course is to explore current topics in solid waste management.  The course will include detailed information on the different aspects of a landfill carbon balance including methane emissions measurement, methane oxidation in landfill cover soils, carbon sequestration, and gas collection.  Current gas production models and their use will be described. 

The course will include a detailed analysis of the behavior of bioreactor landfills including case studies of performance data.  Current research on the behavior of organic chemicals in landfills, as well we post-closure care will be presented.  Recently, there has been significant interest in diversion technologies to reduce waste disposal in landfills.  This will be described in the context of solid waste management policies designed to reduce dependence on landfills.  Information on both aerobic and anaerobic biological treatment as well as analysis of thermal treatment with energy recovery will be presented.  Life-cycle analysis will be applied to the evaluation of technologies throughout the course. 

The course will include a mix of homework assignments, larger projects and one or two exams.  As an advanced graduate course, there will be a considerable expectation for independent work and critical analysis.  For example, students may be expected to write and then solve homework problems.  Projects will involve the development of spreadsheet models and analysis of current literature. 

There is no textbook required.  The course will rely heavily on journal articles.

NCSU has recommended minimum specifications for computers that are generally used for courses. Those specifications can be found here: http://www.ncsu.edu/it/compspecs/

Engineering Online recommends that your computer meets or exceeds the following minimum specifications below. A computer with greater capability (processor speed, RAM, internet bandwidth, disk capacity) will be more likely to properly display the video content of Engineering Online courses.

Windows:

• Microsoft Windows XP, Windows 2003, or Windows Vista
• Intel-compatible 1 GHz processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available
• Video display at 1024 x 768 or greater
• Sound output and speakers
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 or later, Firefox 2.0 or later, or Google Chrome 1.0
• Windows Media Player 9.0 or later
• Real One Player Basic (required for certain courses)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Broadband Internet connection (256 Kbps or more)

Mac OS X:

• Mac OS X 10.4.8 or later
• G4 processor
• 512 MB RAM
• 60 GB hard drive with 1 GB free space available
• Video display at 1024 x 768 or greater
• Sound output and speakers
• Safari 2.0.4 (or later) or Firefox 2.0 (or later)
• Silverlight  (viewers may be prompted to install this when first viewing a presentation)
• Real One Player Basic (required for certain courses)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Broadband Internet connection (256 Kbps or more)
• NOTE:  The Flip4Mac plug-in causes problems when viewing Mediasite presentations and should be disabled.

Linux:

• Playback of Mediasite presentations on Linux is accomplished via the Moonlight Project, an open source implementation of Microsoft Silverlight. For more installation on the installation and configuration of Moonlight, please visit http://www.go-mono.com/moonlight/. The compatible operating systems and browsers are listed on this page.
• Microsoft Media Pack for Moonlight
• Adobe Reader for Unix
• Broadband Internet connection (256 Kbps or more)

Dr. Morton A. Barlaz, Professor
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
North Carolina State University
416 Mann Hall
Campus Box 7908
Raleigh, NC 27695-7908

Phone: (919) 515-7676
Fax: (919) 515-7908
E-Mail: barlaz@eos.ncsu.edu
Instructor website: http://people.engr.ncsu.edu/barlaz/