SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE SANITATION (Tampere University of Technology)

Course: Safe and Sustainable Sanitation
Credits: 5 ECTS
Time: 29 August 2011 – 4 December 2011
Coordinating University: Tampere University of Technology
Coordinator: Professor Tuula Tuhkanen, Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering
Teaching language: English
Registration deadline: 15 August 2011

Course content: The course core content consists of Sustainable sanitation, Sanitation in emergencies, History of sanitation, Health and safety, Microbiological risks in water, Emerging water related chemical risks , Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) in urban hydrological cycle, Control of risks in drinking water, Reuse of excreta, Technological solutions, Socio-economical aspects related to dry sanitation, Perceptions of sanitation in different cultures and Development co-operation.
Learning methods: The course is divided into modules lasting 1-2 weeks. Each module consists of a video lecture and/or reading material and assignment. Assignments include group works, peer reviews of the other students’ work, individually written assignment, quizzes and participation in asynchronous discussions on the course topics.

Objectives:
- Emphasize the current state of millennium development coals of safe water supply and sanitation and connect it with the historical development of the water supply and sanitation in developed countries
- Familiarize the students to the different methods on urine and excreta reuse, the evaluation, selection and implementation of techniques and risk control actions related to the reuse.
- Give basic skills of interactive exchange of information and options among individuals, groups, and institutions (stakeholders) regarding most common sustainable sanitation techniques and the risks and risk management techniques related.
- Cover themes of safety, technical feasibility, socio-economic aspects and ecological sustainability of alternative, non-traditional sanitation.
- Connect aspects of microbiological and chemical risks and their control in drinking water to the safe sanitation.
- Provide a channel for sanitation experts and future professionals in different countries to exchange ideas and information.
- The following aspects will be included: developing vs. developed countries, south vs. north, dry vs. humid climates, rich vs. poor, women vs. men.

Study material: The material is mostly based on lectures given by international experts during the 3rd International Dry Toilet Conference Workshop, held at Tampere University of Technology, August 2009. In addition national and international experts give lectures regarding water related risks, cultural aspects and risk communication.

Assessment: The course is graded in a scale from 1 to 5. Successful completion of all assignments is required to receive credits from the course. All assignments are to be submitted by the due date and count for a certain amount of course points. There are 100 course points in total to be awarded. Assignments submitted late are not marked for course points but can be marked passed with zero points. The course grade is determined following the rule Grade = (Course points – 45) / 10 rounded to a full number. 50 points adds up to a total grade of 1/5 (satisfactory) and 90 points to a grade of 5/5 (excellent).

Additional information: tuula.tuhkanen@tut.fi