ENV 201: Resource and Environment
This introductory course provides a broad overview of natural resources and their interactions with the environment. Topics include fundamental concepts of ecosystems, energy and mineral resources, water and soil systems, and the impacts of human activities on environmental quality and sustainability. The course is designed for first- and second-year students as a foundation for advanced study in environmental science and engineering.
ENV 323: Environmental Aquatic Chemistry
This course introduces a quantitative framework for understanding chemical processes in natural and engineered aquatic systems, including lakes, rivers, oceans, groundwater, and wastewater. After a brief review of chemical thermodynamics, the course examines acid–base equilibria, precipitation–dissolution, complexation, and redox reactions. Emphasis is placed on equilibrium modeling and calculations as tools to elucidate the variables controlling water chemistry and the environmental fate of inorganic contaminants.
ENV 520: Advanced Membrane Separation Technology
This graduate course covers the principles, materials, and processes of membrane-based separations for environmental and resource recovery applications. Topics include membrane fabrication, transport models, fouling and scaling mechanisms, and advanced applications such as desalination, water reuse, nutrient recovery, and energy generation. Emphasis is placed on molecular-level design and sustainable engineering of next-generation membrane technologies.
The Cao Lab in Environmental Chemistry 