The graduate chemical engineering curriculum at our institution Elmergib University is replete with both problem-based and project-based learning components. This paper focuses on a complex methodology of inquiry-based learning (IBL), which has been proven to well prepare graduate students for a successful career in engineering. IBL requires Students to invest a considerable time during the class and after working at home learning with the aid of mentoring how to develop and answer a research question. Teaching both IBL and the development of field-specific simulation skills challenge professors. That does not allow much of the class time required to cover material reliance on mathematical tools that often hamper student understanding of the underlying phenomena and difficulty in providing immersive and exciting visuals that support in-depth learning. An IBL component was incorporated into a simulation-based design in four successive graduate courses: Advanced computational Numerical Methods, Advanced heat transfer, Advanced fluid mechanics, and Advanced transport phenomena. The courses were modified to contain Multiphysics simulations with application building that develop technical competency by developing modeling skills, deeper understanding by solving realistic problems, and writing skills by producing technical reports for each simulation. The use of the Multiphysics application building component adds a new skillset that further strengthens our program graduates. The paper shows the teaching and learning strategies efforts have been implemented, course teaching tools Apps structure, student outcome assessment, and research project exam questions and their simulation results from students’ reports.

One of the main reasons for air pollution is industrial plants releasing huge amounts of air pollutants in the form of gas emissions. The different chemical pollutants and their corresponding levels present in these emissions, and their proximity to the industrial source, have serious effects on the nearby ecosystems. Some of the industrial nuisances include noise, smoke, dirt, dust, odor and noxious gases, which have to be minimized (if possible, eliminated), especially if the location is desired to be used as a community site. When choosing locations at which to build either new industrial plants or new community sites, software can be used to assess both the short-term and long-term concentration profiles of the various detrimental air pollutants. In this study, the AERMOD model was used to find an optimal location to build a new plant in Toledo, Ohio, USA. Simulations were performed to study the pollutant emissions and their dispersion patterns for four different geographic locations situated away from an existing plant in this region. The AERMOD model, along with the IRAP-h View model, which is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has been successfully used to assess the fate and transport of pollutants from the proposed new industrial plants. The hazard quotients from the analysis of the results for these four different geographic locations were assessed. The highest total non-cancer hazard indices of 18.7 and 13.2 were obtained for fisher adult and fisher child, respectively, in one of the four locations. The acute inhalation quotient risk was less than the target hazard index of 0.25 for all the four locations. With respect to the concentrations of several chemicals of potential concern (COPC), such as soil, produce, beef, chicken, milk and pork, the fourth location (farthest east) recorded the minimum range values compared to the other three locations.