Professor Authors Environmental Engineering Textbook

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Dr. Richard O. Mines Jr. authored the textbook Environmental Engineering: Principles and Practice – published by Wiley-Blackwellin early April – the culmination of five years of work by Dr. Mines.

The content of text, designed for advanced undergraduate and first-semester graduate courses in environmental engineering, was organized, edited and coordinated by Dr. Mines, who also wrote six of the 12 chapters. Fellow Mercer environmental engineering professors Dr. André Butler and Dr. Philip McCreanor each wrote a chapter of the book, as well.

Environmental Engineering: Principles and Practiceprovides theoretical principles and numerous examples, applications and practice problems for students to work through.

“Most engineering texts do not provide enough examples, and the examples given skip many steps,” said Dr. Mines. “This environmental engineering text provides numerous examples in both English and SI units and provides a step-by-step procedure to facilitate learning.”

The emphasis of the textbook is on practical application.

Chapters in the book focus on environmental engineering and problem solving; water and wastewater characteristics and systems; waste management; air pollution; sustainability; and public health.

A companion website provides illustrations, problems and solutions.

“As a first-generation college graduate, it is very rewarding to have come so far professionally and to have published a comprehensive text. I came from very humble beginnings growing up in rural, mountainous Virginia, and our family had no indoor plumbing,” said Dr. Mines. “We did not have much monetarily, but faith and love sustained us. The outdoors and the environment have always been very important to me, and that was the impetus for me to become an environmental engineer.”

Dr. Mines' sister, Angela Mines Plunkett, professor of fine arts at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California, created a watercolor featuring three wind turbines that appears on the cover of Environmental Engineering: Principles and Practice.

Dr. Mines earned his B.S. in civil engineering from Virginia Military Institute and his M.E. in civil engineering from the University of Virginia. He went on to earn his Ph.D., also in civil engineering, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

He is the director for the School of Engineering's M.S.E. and M.S. programs and professor of environmental engineering.