Ministry of Education

Test Blueprint for National Exit Examination to be held in 2015 E.C

Band: I

Program: -

Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering

Adapted and Modified By:

1. Dr.Kenatu Angassa, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University
2. Dr. Zemene Worku, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University

March, 2023
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 1. Introduction
1.1 Background

Environmental engineering is a newly evolving and a cross-cutting field of study that concerns a
growing environmental issues arising from different developmental endeavors. The discipline
develops technologies and solutions which help to improve human wellbeing and environmental
management.

Environmental engineering helps to resolve pertinent environmental issues such as, air pollution,
water pollution, soil pollution, climate change and global warming. Moreover, the profession
engaged in ecofriendly developmental approaches to minimize the impacts of industrial
development, construction projects, agriculture and other developmental activities.

To realize the full potential of this field as a frontline area of research and development with an
overwhelming impact on the societal and national economic development, higher education
institutions of Ethiopia are expected to produce competent professionals that can make the
country beneficiary of the modern applications in the discipline. Therein, environmental
Engineering program in B.Sc. degree level was launched in Addis Ababa Science and
Technology University (AASTU) in 2011/12, aiming to produce competent graduates with the
appropriate knowledge, attitude and skills (KAS). Currently, the program is new in its kind and
running only in Addis Ababa Science and Technology University.

The program was designed for five years of studies. In the program, the first year is designed for
national common courses, while the rest is for major and supplementary courses. In addition to
offering basic theoretical knowledge, and skills (practical and entrepreneurial), the curriculum is
designed to include fundamental concepts that span across other basic courses like:
Environmental chemistry, Environmental microbiology, and mathematics.

As a result, students are expected to take 62 courses with a minimum of 189 credit hours. After
successful completion of the program, the students are expected to acquire a comprehensive
understanding on the core concepts and applied aspects of the constantly growing niche of
modern environmental engineering technologies and state of the art in addressing the evolving
environmental problems. Thus, it is necessary to measure the achievement of learning objectives
through exit exams. In addition, the implementation of exit examination is related to the
regulation and improvement of quality in higher education.

University exit exam is a standardized comprehensive curriculum-based test, which is designed

to assess if students have achieved the minimum competence that was stipulated in the
graduates’ profile. Thus, the ministry of education (MOE) has planned to deliver exit exams for
several undergraduate programs, including Environmental engineering. For successful
implementation of the exit exam, it is necessary to identify the key graduate profiles, the core
competences and test blue print of the program. Moreover, student attainment of learning
outcomes should be also assessed through standardized exams, which is set to measure KAS of
graduates. As a result, it is necessary to select core environmental engineering courses and
prepare test blue print, which are necessary to prepare for the exit exam as measure of attainment
of core competences of the environmental engineering program.

1.2 Significance of Test Blueprint Preparation

Implementation of exit examination has immense significance to measure graduating students’

skills, knowledge and attitudes of different competencies that are set for Environmental
Engineering program. In addition to core competency identification, preparation of test blue print
enables to systematically identify the core courses and properly plan the test items which will be
included in the exit examination.

2. Expected Graduates Profile

Graduate profile is a description of attributes (knowledge, skill and attitude) which the program
aspires for its students to be attained. Environmental Engineering program has the following key
occupational tasks and responsibilities that should be attained by graduates.

 Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals and

an environmental engineering specialization to the solution of complex
environmental problems.

 Identify, formulate, research literature and analyze complex environmental

problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of
mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences.
 Design solutions for complex environmental problems and design systems,
components or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate
consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and
environmental considerations.

 Conduct investigation into complex environmental problems using

research-based knowledge and research methods including design of
experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of
information to provide valid conclusions.

 Create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and modern

engineering and IT tools, including prediction and modeling, to complex
engineering activities, with an understanding of the limitations.

 Apply reasoning informed by contextual knowledge to assess societal,

health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities
relevant to professional environmental engineering practice and solution to
complex environmental problems.

 Understand the impact of professional engineering solutions in societal and

environmental contexts and demonstrate knowledge of and need for
sustainable development.

 Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and

responsibilities and norms of engineering practice.

 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in diverse

teams and in multi-disciplinary settings.

 Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the

engineering community and with society at large, such as being able to
comprehend and write effective reports and design documentation, make
effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of engineering management
principles and economic decision-making and apply these to one's own
work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in
multidisciplinary environments.

 Recognize the need for, and have the preparations and ability to engage in
independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological
change.

Generally, Environmental Engineering graduates should have basic scientific, technical, ethical,
communication and leadership skills wherever they work and pursue their further study.

3. Objectives

3.1 General Objective

The General objective of this blueprint is to systematically plan the test items development in a
balanced way to help items can be carefully chosen from each selected course in a proportional
manner based on the credit hours covered; which enables to properly test graduates whether or
not they understand the aim (issues) of core environmental courses during their five (5) years
study.

3.2 Specific Objectives

The national administration of exit exam shall have the following objectives:

 To produce skilled and competent manpower to national and international market

 To ensure quality education and common getaway for the professional license in
Environmental Engineering
 To produce skilled and competent manpower to national and international market in
Environmental Engineering profession.
 Assessing students’ educational achievement in major areas of Environmental
Engineering discipline.
 Ensuring whether the graduation profile of Environmental Engineering curriculum have
achieved at least common standards of knowledge, practical skills and attitudes.
  Improving trust and confidence in industrial sectors, research and academic institutions.
 Facilitating the efforts of students to revise the core learning outcomes of the courses
which will be covered by the exit examination.
 Ensuring all graduates from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) satisfy the requirements
of the market and employability.

4. Themes and List of Courses

Table 1: Themes with their courses and credit hours

S/N Theme Course title Cr. Hrs. Total Cr. Hrs.

per Theme
1 Transport phenomenon for environmental 3
Environmental
engineering
Engineering Basics Environmental policy and management 2
10
systems
and Guidelines 2
Environmental impact assessment
Health, safety and environment (HSE) 3
engineering
2 Air pollution and Air pollution engineering 3 6
control engineering Climate change adaptation & mitigation 3
technologies
3 Solid Waste Solid Waste Engineering 3 3
Engineering
4 Water and wastewater Water treatment engineering 3
engineering Wastewater engineering 3
9
Sewerage and drainage engineering 3
5 Energy Systems Energy Resources and Environment 3
Waste to Energy Technology 3
9
Renewable Energy Engineering 3
6 Soil pollution and Fundamentals of soils & pollution Control 2 5
remediation Soil pollution remediation technologies 3
Total Credit Hours of the Program 42
 Table 2: Table of Specification for the blue print
Blueprint Table
Learning outcomes
Cognitive

Share of items in %
Themes and Name and Share

Creation/Synthesis
Share of the of the Courses in Credit
themes in % % hour General Specific objectives /learning outcomes

Understanding
Remembering

Psychomotor
objective/Competency

Application

Evaluation

Affective
Analysis
3 Apply the basic Define basic terminologies and physical 1
concepts of principles associated with heat and mass 1
Transport
chemical transport transfer
phenomenon for
Environmental phenomenon in the Differentiate the physical mass and heat 1 3
environmental 2
Engineering environmental transport mechanisms in the environment
engineering
and systems Apply the mass transport equations to solve 1.14 3.14
(7.14)
Guidelines environmental concentrations of 2
(23.81%) pollutants/chemicals
3 Identify and analyses Explain the major principles of environment, 1.14
0.14 1
the major work place health and Safety (HSE) Engineering
Health, safety and
and environmental Analyze risk assessment processes 1 1 2
environment
hazards and risks as
(HSE) Investigate, Evaluate and control work place 1.5
well as assess risks and 0.5 1
engineering hazards
design mitigation
(7.14) Develop mitigation measures for HSE hazards 2 0.5 2.5
measures for risks and
hazards and risks
Identify and Evaluate Define and explain Environmental 1.26
2 the current practices Management Systems (EMS) and their main
1 0.26
Environmental and policies pertaining steps, relevant policies, other environmental
policy and to the development, management tools
management implementation and Apply EMS principles in Environmental 1.5
0.5 1
systems (4.76) maintenance of Auditing for various Industries/Projects
environmental Develop EMS methods according to ISO 1 0.5 2
management systems 14001 standards for industries/projects 0.5
Assess environmental Explain the major principles of environmental 0.76
0.26 0.5
impacts of impact assessment
2 development projects Analyze the different steps within 1
Environmental 1
and develop mitigation environmental impact assessment process
impact measures for the Investigate and Evaluate environmental 1.5
assessment (4.76) impacts identified 0.5 1
impacts
Develop mitigation measures for 1 0.5 1.5
environmental impacts
Air pollution Air pollution Explain air pollution Describe the basic air pollution sources, 0.14 1 1.14
and control engineering 3 sources, effects, effects and their fate in the environment
engineering Air pollution concentration in the
(14.29%) engineering atmosphere and design
(7.14) the basic air pollution
 control Technologies Examine the concentration of air pollutant in 1 1 2
the atmosphere
Design air pollution control equipment to 2 1 3
prevent pollutant emission
Evaluate the performance of air pollution 1 1
control equipment
3 Explain climate Define weather, climate, climate change, 1 1
change, adaptation and climate change adaptation and climate change
mitigation techniques mitigation
Climate change
Devise climate change adaptation and 2 0.14 2.14
adaptation &
mitigation strategies
mitigation
Analysis the causes and consequences of 2 2
technologies
climate change
(7.14)
Examine Sustainable Agriculture and Land 2 2
Management Practices as a means for Climate
Change Mitigation and adaptation
Solid Waste Solid Waste 3 Identify, and analyze Describe Integrated solid waste management 0.14 1 0.5 1.64
Engineering Engineering the economic Analyze Solid waste characterization, 1 0.5 1.5
(7.14%) (7.14) importance of solid collection and transport
waste, hierarchies of its Evaluate Solid waste processing and energy 1.5 1.5
management and recovery technologies
design the engineered Design solid waste management facilities 2 0.5 2.5
way of landfilling

Water and 3 Explain hydrological Describe the hydrological cycle, water source, 0.14 1 1.14
wastewater cycle, water treatment and water quality analysis
engineering method; Analyze Discuss the unit operation and process for 1 1
(21.43%) Water treatment convectional water water treatment and advanced water treatment
engineering treatment plant and technology
(7.14) advanced technology Apply operational skill and basic principles 2 2
for water treatments on conventional water treatment plant
Analyze the water treatment plant with given 2 1 3
criteria for water supply
3 Evaluate wastewater Identify, formulate, and solve wastewater 1 1 2
water treatment engineering problems
methods and design Analyze wastewater treatment unit operations 1.14 1.14
Wastewater convectional and processes and evaluate wastewater
engineering wastewater treatment treatment unit design
(7.14) plant and advanced Evaluate the influence of the different 1 1
technology for parameter in design and treatment of
wastewater treatments wastewater treatment plant
Design Wastewater treatment technologies 2 1 3
3 Apply the basic Identify and describe the components of 0.14 1 1.14
knowledge and sewerage and drainage systems
Sewerage and
concepts of Describe the basic principles and importance 1 1
drainage
engineering hydrology, of sewerage and drainage systems
engineering
fluid mechanics and Apply basic concepts of hydrology , 2 0.5 2.5
(7.14)
open channel hydraulics and open channel hydraulics in
hydraulics in the design of sewerage and drainage systems
 design of sewerage and Design basic sewerage and drainage system 2 0.5 2.5
drainage systems components
Energy Energy and 3 Enable a better Describe the concept of energy and its 1 0.14 1.14
Systems Environment understanding of the consumption trends and its effects on the
(21.43. %) (7.14) complex interactions environment
between society, Correlate the complex interactions between 1 1 0.5 2.5
energy needs and society, energy needs and production and its
production and its effects on the environment
effect on the Evaluate the science and technology of 2 1 0.5 3.5
environment energy, including fossil energy, solar, wind,
hydro, bio, geothermal, nuclear energy and
design a solution for complex environmental
problem created
Waste to Energy 3 Identify and design the Identify and categorize waste and their 0.64 1 1 2.64
Technology various aspects of sources, wastes suitable for energy production
(7.14) Waste to Energy Illustrate different routes & technologies for 0.5 1.5 0.5 2.5
techniques energy production from wastes
Design/size waste-to -energy technology for 1.5 0.5 2
the community
Renewable 3 Describe renewable Examine the current and future energy 1 1
Energy energy types and scenario of Africa, particularly renewable
Engineering design different energy
(7.14) renewable energy Evaluate the correlation of the renewable 1 1 2
equipment energy resources with energy production
Analyse energy production of different 0.14 0.5 1 1.64
renewable energy resources
Develop preliminary design of different 2 1 3
renewable equipment
Soil pollution 2 Explain the concepts of Explain the concepts of environmental soil 0.5 1 1.5
and environmental soil science, definition of environmental soil
remediation science and classify the science, principle and practice of
(11.90%) Fundamentals of factors and process of environmental soil science and soil component
soils & pollution soil formation, Classify the factors and process of soil 1 1
Control (4.76) physical, chemical and formation, soil profiles and its horizons
biological properties of Evaluate physical, chemical and biological 2 0.26 2.26
soil and pollution properties of soil and soil pollution
3 Analyze soil pollution, Explain the mechanisms by which pollutants 0.14 1 1.14
technologies and enter to soils, and list types of contaminants
Soil pollution approaches used for Implement risk assessment procedures for 1 0.5 1.5
remediation contaminated soil contaminated soil remediation
technologies remediation and Differentiate contaminated soil remediation 2 2
(7.14) restoration technologies and explain their application
Compare Innovative Technologies for 0.5 2 2.5
contaminated soil remediation
Total Number of Items 5.38 15.26 8.64 27.14 13 19 2 10.04
Share of domain in % 88.42 2 10.04 100.46
 5. Conclusion
Providing quality education is a major goal of higher education’s institutions. To achieve this, it is
necessary to track and evaluate student knowledge, attitude and skill through exit exam by focusing on
core competency and graduate profiles. Though 62 courses are delivered in Environmental Engineering
BSc. curriculum, only 15 courses are selected from major Environmental Engineering courses. Finally,
during the preparation of exit exams,
 It should be prepared in manner to measure the attainment of program learning outcomes by
specially focusing on core competency of each subject
 Since many of the selected courses include practical sessions, exam should address the skills
obtained
 Timing of exam should be properly planned to avoid burden of completion of second semester
courses of the graduates.