The demand for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant operators is expected to increase well into the next decade. In response to the demand, UMass Lowell is offering the Certificate Program in Wastewater Treatment.

This certificate program prepares students for all levels of state certification required to manage and operate a modern wastewater treatment facility. The program consists of seven courses which, when taken together, demonstrate expertise in the area of wastewater treatment.

The program is designed for individuals seeking to enter the field of wastewater treatment and for those in the field who want to upgrade their skills or achieve a higher level of state certification. Courses in the program cover both municipal (biological) plants and industrial (physical/chemical) treatment plant operations.

Many of the courses in this certificate program can be applied towards the B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering Technology: Environmental Option.

Required Courses: (7)
15.131 Environmental Chemistry I
15.132 Environmental Chemistry II
15.261 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations I
15.263 Wastewater Operations Lab I
15.280 Industrial Waste Treatment
15.361 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations II
15.152 Water Biology
 

Course Descriptions

15.131 Environmental Chemistry I
Basic chemistry theory, including chemical reactions and equations, are the focus of this course. An introduction to the structure of water and its characteristics, its impurities, and the chemical treatment schemes that have been devised to deal with each will also be addressed.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3
Special Notes: SL

15.132 Environmental Chemistry II
Serves as a continuation of 15.131. This course covers specific water and wastewater treatment practices, such as chlorination, coagulation, filtration and absorption. A focus on the analytical techniques for the particular parameters of interest will also be addressed. Wet chemistry, as well as instrument methods, are discussed and demonstrated during lab sessions. These sessions will complement the lecture material.
Prerequisite: 15.131.
Credits: 3
Special Notes: SL

15.261 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations I
This course discusses state rules and regulations, preliminary treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, disinfection, sludge handling and disposal. The primary emphasis is on the activated sludge process. Operational control processes are discussed in detail and "hands-on" visits to local wastewater treatment facilities are included.
Prerequisite: Corequisite: 15.263
Credits: 3

15.263 Wastewater Operations Laboratory I
This course covers topics such as property law, property transfer, boundary law, property descriptions and titles, survey plats, water law, liability and litigation, professional ethics and standards, and land information systems.
Prerequisite: Corequisite: 15.261, 15.356, or 15.358.
Credits: 1

15.280 Industrial Waste Treatment
This course examines the state and federal regulations for industrial wastewater treatment. Basic chemistry is covered and physical-chemical treatment for neutralization, oxidation-reduction, metals removal, and cyanide destruction is reviewed in detail along with numerous sample problems. Common industrial waste treatment processes such as filtration, ion exchange, activated carbon, ultra filtration reverse osmosis and other membrane filtration techniques are presented. Chemical feed systems, polymer feed systems, chemical dosage calculations, jar testing, sludge handling, and dewatering methods and sludge calculations are also discussed.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

15.361 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations II
Serves as a continuation of 15.261. The operation and maintenance of biological processes is emphasized. Phosphorous removal and nitrification are covered. Two stage activated sludge and batch reactors are discussed. An introduction to pumps, control systems, and physical chemical treatment of industrial wastes is included. Two field trips to advanced wastewater treatment facilities are conducted on Saturdays.
Prerequisite: 15.261, 15.263 Corequisite: 15.363.
Credits: 3

15.152 Water Biology
Bio(life)-logy(study of) in water environments will be explored starting from the simple cell to multi-cellular organisms. With a review of the chemistry of water and an understanding of the importance of water in living systems, a better understanding of the interrelationship of both biology and chemistry will be attained. Demonstrations and individual presentations as well as lab-work will enhance the understanding of this topic. Problem-solving of a specific work-related situation will be assigned and the student will trouble-shoot, explore, and attempt to solve his/her biology problem.
Prerequisite:
Credits: 3

Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete the indicated series of certificate program courses, generally consisting of both required courses and electives. Students may complete the certificate programs at their own pace, enrolling in one or two courses per semester (which is the average recommended course load). Students should anticipate at least two hours of preparation for every hour of classroom instruction and they are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or better to receive the certificate.

Courses held on campus typically meet one night per week, three hours each night, for 14 weeks during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters (Summer courses are also offered over two 6-week condensed sessions). Call for a course bulletin or check our website course listings for specific course scheduling information.

Application into the Program
Those who wish to enroll in a certificate program should submit a completed application form and arrange to have their official high school transcript or GED sent to Continuing Studies and Corporate Education. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to: University of Massachusetts Lowell, Admissions/Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, Dugan Hall, Room 110, 883 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854-5104. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. Upon acceptance, notification will be sent to students.

Registering for Courses
Continuing Studies and Corporate Education offers courses during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Information about current course offerings, schedules, and registration procedures is published regularly on our website at http://continuinged.uml.edu. If you would like to receive a printed Course Bulletin, please contact our Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

You may take courses without being officially enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but you must meet the particular course prerequisites. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis. Class size is limited. We recommend that you register early to reserve your place in class.

Transfer Policy
With the program coordinator's approval, one course may be transferred from another accredited institution to satisfy certificate program requirements. The course should be equivalent to UMass Lowell instruction, applicable to the intended program, and the student must have received a grade equivalent to a C- (1.70 on a 4.00 scale) or better.

Academic Advising
Program coordinators and general Faculty and Student Support Specialists are available by appointment to help students determine appropriate course loads, discuss admission requirements, and review the transferability of courses. To schedule an appointment with a program coordinator or Faculty and Student Support Specialist, please call Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or (978) 934-2474. General walk-in advising is available Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-8:00pm and Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at the Continuing Studies Faculty and Student Support Center located in Southwick Hall, Room 202 on UMass Lowell North. For online advising, email our Faculty and Student Support Specialists at Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

Awarding of Certificates
Upon successful completion of the certificate program, students must submit a completed Certificate Petition Form to Continuing Studies and Corporate Education. Upon verification, students will be mailed their certificates. Receipt of the certificate will be noted formally on the student's transcript with an award date of October, February, or June.

Tuition
Please refer to our website course listings or our current printed course bulletin for the latest information on tuition and fees.

For More Information
For additional information on any of our programs, call Continuing Studies and Corporate Education at (978) 934-2480 or email Continuing_Education@uml.edu.

For information on Financial Aid, call the University's Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220.