Development and implementation of an applied, interdisciplinary problem‐based learning course in environmental science

Abstract Widespread access to clean water and sanitation supports the dual goals of improving public health and protecting environmental health globally. Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS, i.e., septic systems) are an integral part of the water infrastructure that contributes to these goals in the United States and around the world. There is increasing demand for environmental scientists and engineers that are well versed in these systems, but college‐level courses on the subject are lacking. To address this gap, we developed and taught a senior‐level course that covers the siting, design, troubleshooting, and regulatory aspects of OWTS. We use a problem‐based learning approach in which students work in permanent groups to solve a sequence of problems, in the process of which they engage with the course content. Students’ understanding of the material is assessed at the group and individual levels through presentations, annotated slides, personal reflections, and science communication exercises. Formal and informal feedback from students has been overwhelmingly favorable, especially with regard to the use of problem‐based learning and the use of specifications grading, which allows students to revise their work until they achieve the level of mastery they desire. Overall, our course succeeded in providing students with an opportunity to grapple with the practical aspects of OWTS design and regulation, to develop their research and communication skills, and to work in groups effectively.