# Environmental Technology (ET) courses Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog · 28 courses Source: https://riohondo.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/22181/25453/24464 "Offered" lists sections in this catalog year's class schedules: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027. ### ET 110 — Hazardous Waste Generation/Reduction/Treatment - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This course is designed to educate students working in or seeking employment in the hazardous waste management field, with an overview of industrial processes and their generation of waste streams. Selected industries include electroplating, metal finishing, printed circuit board production, oil refining, chemical production, steel production, general manufacturing, printing and graphic reproduction, agriculture, and consumer services. ### ET 120 — Introduction to Alternative Energy Technology - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 45 Lecture, 27 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 120 This introductory-level course provides students with a working knowledge of present-day energy systems, including an in-depth analysis of the design and installation of alternative energy systems. Topics will include solar electrical systems, wind electrical systems, solar water heating systems, wind mechanical systems, small hydro-electrical systems, geothermal energy, fuel cells, biomass, energy storage, and microgrids. Students will develop skills to construct an alternative energy system. The course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the alternative energy industry. ### ET 121 — Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 45 Lecture, 27 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 121 In this introductory course students examine and implement the design and installation of solar photovoltaic power systems, including the installation of a working solar photovoltaic power system. Students learn how to perform solar site evaluations, electrical load calculations, solar system size calculations, and installation techniques for grid-tie and off-the-grid photovoltaic systems. The course is designed to prepare students for the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) entry-level exam, and is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the solar photovoltaic energy industry. ### ET 122 — Advanced Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 45 Lecture, 27 Lab - **Advisory:** AET 121 or ET 121 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 122 This is the second course in the photovoltaic series in which students further examine and implement the design and installation of solar photovoltaic power systems. Students learn how to interpret the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifications concerning photovoltaic installations. Topics include code-compliant wiring of modules, inverters, charge controllers, batteries, grounding techniques, and related topics. Additional topics include the design and installation of large commercial photovoltaic systems. This course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the solar photovoltaic energy industry. ### ET 123 — Wind Energy Systems Design and Installation - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 45 Lecture, 27 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 123 In this introductory course students examine and implement the design and installation of wind power systems, including the installation of a working wind generation power system. Students learn how to perform wind site evaluations, electrical load calculations, wind system size calculations, hydraulics fundamentals, basic aerodynamics, and installation techniques for wind power generation systems; in designing and installing wind power generation systems, students obtain skills for employment. This course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the wind turbine power generation industry. ### ET 124 — Advanced Wind Energy Systems Design and Installation - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 45 Lecture, 27 Lab - **Advisory:** AET 123 or ET 123 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 124 This is the second course in the wind energy series in which students further examine and implement the design and installation of wind power systems. Students learn how to interpret the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifications concerning wind power installations. Topics include code-compliant wiring of modules, inverters, charge controllers, grounding techniques, and related topics. Additional topics include wind site evaluations, electrical load calculations, wind system size calculations, hydraulic fundamentals, basic aerodynamics, and installation techniques for large wind power generation systems. This course is intended for students who are contemplating a career in the wind turbine power generation industry. ### ET 130 — Health Effects of Environmental Hazardous Materials - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/et.md) This course is designed to educate students working in or seeking employment in areas that include health and safety responsibilities. The course provides an overview of how to identify and evaluate the hazards of chemical, physical, and biological agents that can be encountered in industrial operations, as well as waste disposal and remediation sites. ### ET 150 — Hazardous Waste Management Applications - **Units:** 4 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture, 54 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the environmental field with an overview of hazardous waste management and regulations. The course explains the hazardous waste regulatory framework and helps students develop research skills in the hazardous waste area. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: universal waste, generator compliance, site investigation and remediation, permitting, enforcement, liability, and storm water discharge. The course also provides opportunities for the hands-on application of regulations. These applications include preparing a hazardous waste manifest, labeling and storing containers, sampling and analysis, and preparing a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA). ### ET 181 — Home Energy Management and Auditing - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 181 This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the green energy field, with an overview of industrial energy management and auditing. Specifically, this course assists students in preparing a comprehensive energy audit and energy management program. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: types of energy audits, energy management and cost, benchmarking, energy performance, energy use requirements, maximizing system efficiencies, optimizing energy input requirements, fuel and energy substitution, and energy audit instruments. ### ET 182 — Industrial Energy Management and Auditing - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 182 This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the green energy field, with an overview of industrial energy management and auditing. Specifically, this course assists students in preparing a comprehensive energy audit and energy management program. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: types of energy audits, energy management and cost, benchmarking, energy performance, energy use requirements, maximizing system efficiencies, optimizing energy input requirements, fuel and energy substitution, and energy audit instruments. ### ET 200 — Hazardous Materials Management Applications - **Units:** 4 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture, 54 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This course is designed to provide students working or seeking employment in the hazardous materials management field with a general overview of the requirements and applications of federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to hazardous materials. The course will emphasize compliance with Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication, Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III Community Right-to-Know, underground tank, asbestos, Proposition 65, and air toxics regulations. ### ET 230 — Safety and Emergency Response - **Units:** 4 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture, 54 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have a knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This course is designed to provide students working or seeking employment in the environmental technology field with hands-on instruction in safety and emergency response to chemical and physical exposures at hazardous waste sites. Topics include hazard identification, emergency response planning, proper use and selection of personal protective equipment (PPE), site control and evaluation, handling drums and containers, field sampling and air monitoring, proper use of instruments, confined spaces, and emergency response including field exercises in the use of air-purifying respirators (APR) and self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA). This course satisfies the requirements for 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 1910.120 and confined space entry training under OSHA Standard 1910.146. ### ET 240 — Solid Waste Management Applications - **Units:** 4 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture, 54 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have a knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This course is designed to provide students working or seeking employment in the solid waste management field with an overview of the solid waste industry and its components. Emphasis is placed on the various aspects of integrated waste management including: waste prevention, recycling, composting, incineration, landfilling, environmental sampling and monitoring, facility siting and permitting, and compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations. ### ET 250 — Fundamentals of Safety and Health I - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Summer 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/summer-2026/et.md) This course is designed to introduce students to the field of occupational safety and health management and program development. Topics include instruction on federal, state and local agency legislation, and the application of labor and occupational safety and health regulations. The course content also includes familiarization with workers compensation/general liability insurance, accident investigation techniques, industrial hygiene, ergonomics, fire prevention, site and facility auditing, systems Safety, and program development. This course is for working supervisors, professionals, or business owners responsible for worker safety or placement of workers compensation/general liability insurance, and is a requirement for an Associate of Science Degree in Environmental Technology and/or a Certificate of Achievement in Environmental Technology Health and Safety. ### ET 251 — Fundamentals of Safety and Health II - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This course is designed to introduce students to the supervisory and management functions of occupational safety and health and risk management. Topics include a review of federal, state, and local agency legislation; labor and occupational safety and health regulations; and workers' compensation insurance. The course content focuses on the elements of developing a safety and health program, behavior-based safety, workplace violence, terrorism preparedness, hazardous materials and waste management, the application of occupational safety and health design/compliance and regulations, and the development of a safety and health and loss prevention program (i.e., a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) policy). This course is for students pursuing a degree in Environmental Technology and/or a Certificate of Achievement in Health and Safety, and working professionals or business owners responsible for worker safety or risk management. ### ET 260 — Environmental Sampling and Analysis - **Units:** 4 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture, 54 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/et.md) This course provides an overview of the techniques of sampling protocols for obtaining soil, air, surface water, and groundwater samples based on sampling protocols approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In the lecture, emphasis is placed on aspects of the procurement of samples through the EPA-approved standard operating procedures and practices. In the laboratory, students gain practical knowledge and skills for the appropriate collection and handling of environmental samples. ### ET 270 — Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations I - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This is the initial course in a series of wastewater treatment courses designed to train students in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants, emphasizing the use of safe practices and procedures. It is intended for students working or who seek employment in the wastewater treatment field. Topics include the role and responsibilities of a treatment plant operator, an explanation of why wastes must be treated, and detailed descriptions of the equipment and processes used in a wastewater treatment plant. Students learn to operate and maintain racks, screens, comminutors, sedimentation tanks, trickling filters, rotating biological contactors, package-activated sludge plants, oxidation ditches, ponds, and chlorination facilities. Students also learn how to analyze and solve operational problems and perform mathematical calculations related to wastewater treatment process control. ### ET 271 — Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations II - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** ET 270 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/et.md) This is the second course in a series of wastewater treatment courses designed to train students in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants, emphasizing the use of safe practices and procedures. It is intended for students working or who seek employment in the wastewater treatment field. Topics include conventional activated sludge processes, sludge digestion and solids handling, effluent disposal, plant safety and good housekeeping, plant and equipment maintenance, analysis and presentation of data, and records and report writing. Students also learn how to analyze and solve operational problems and to perform mathematical calculations related to wastewater treatment process control. ### ET 272 — Advanced Wastewater Treatment - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** ET 271 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This is the third course in a series of wastewater treatment courses designed to train students in the practical aspects of operating and maintaining wastewater treatment plants, emphasizing the use of safe practices and procedures. It is intended for students working or who seek employment in the wastewater treatment field. Topics include detailed descriptions of the equipment and advanced treatment processes used for odor control, pure oxygen-activated sludge treatment, solids removal from secondary effluents, residual solids management, enhanced biological control (including nitrogen and phosphorus removal), and wastewater reclamation. This course focuses on actual operating procedures: Students learn to operate and maintain treatment plant instrumentation equipment and systems. Additionally, students learn how to analyze and solve operational problems and perform mathematical calculations relating to wastewater treatment process control. ### ET 273 — Stormwater Management, Treatment & Controls - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/et.md) This course is designed to provide students working or seeking employment in the industrial stormwater management field with the skills necessary to manage stormwater activities at industrial sites. Such management activities include the ability to write stormwater plans, implement structural and non-structural best management practices, evaluate and design stormwater treatment systems, conduct laboratory testing, understand how to collect stormwater samples, evaluate low impact development methods, and understand the regulatory and political framework of stormwater management. Emphasis is placed on stormwater chemistry, water treatment, student-designed industrial treatment systems, auditing for compliance, monitoring of industrial effluent, interpretation of laboratory results, and how to apply data to achieve real reductions in effluent contaminated by industrial pollutants. ### ET 274 — Industrial Waste Water Treatment - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This course is designed to provide individuals, who are working in or seeking employment in the water management field, with the practical aspects of operating and maintaining industrial waste water treatment plants. Emphasis is placed on the following topics: role of the industrial waste water treatment operator, types of industrial waste streams, industrial waste water regulations, sources of wastes and methods for preventing and minimizing wastes at the source, and industrial waste monitoring. The plant operations and maintenance topics that will be highlighted include the following: operating and maintaining flow measure equipment, preliminary treatment processes, physical-chemical treatment processes, pressure and gravity filters, physical treatment processes, treatment of metal waste streams, and safety procedures. ### ET 275 — Water Treatment - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Spring 2027, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This course is designed to provide students working or seeking employment in the water management field with the practical aspects of operating and maintaining water treatment plants. Topics include responsibilities of the water treatment plant operator, sources of water, reservoir management and intake structures, coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation and filtration, disinfection and corrosion control, and taste and odor control. Day-to-day operating procedures are highlighted in this course, with topics including regulation of flows, chemical use and handling, records and reports, plant maintenance, safety and security, emergency procedures, handling complaints, and energy conservation. ### ET 276 — Water Distribution - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/et.md) This course is designed to provide students working or seeking employment in the water management field with the practical aspects of operating and maintaining water distribution systems. Topics include the role and duties of water distribution system operators, procedures for operating and maintaining clear wells and storage tanks, characteristics of distribution system facilities, operating and maintaining distribution systems, maintaining water quality, disinfecting water systems, and techniques for recognizing hazards and developing safe procedures and programs. Students also learn to analyze and solve problems associated with operating a distribution system. ### ET 277 — Water Treatment II - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Prerequisite:** ET 275 - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This advanced course in operating and maintaining a water treatment plant emphasizes safe and efficient work practices. Potable water reuse technologies are addressed. The objectives for this course are to prepare the student for the Grades III and IV Water Treatment Operator Certification exams administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board; thus, students learn more advanced calculations. In addition, material is presented on topics including but not limited to advanced water treatment processes, iron and manganese control, fluoridation, softening, trihalomethanes, demineralization, drinking water regulations (e.g., regulations established by the Safe Drinking Water Act, including amendments), handling and disposal of process wastes, and laboratory procedures. Finally, this course enhances students' understanding and imparts the skills needed to address California's future sustainable resource needs. ### ET 278 — Industrial Waste Pretreatment Facility Inspection - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules This course is designed to provide training to individuals who are working in or seeking employment in the water/wastewater management field. Specifically, this course is designed to educate and train current and future pretreatment (industrial waste) facility inspectors in employing enforcement and advisory actions to regulate the disposal of industrial wastewater into the sanitary wastewater collection system; protect the physical structures and ensure the safety of operation and maintenance personnel of the wastewater collection and treatment systems; protect the health and safety of the public and the environment; achieve compliance with pretreatment regulations as required under the General Pretreatment Regulations, Categorical Standards, and local source control ordinances; and prevent the illegal discharge of industrial pollutants into wastewater collection and stormwater collection systems. ### ET 280 — Green Building Design Principles - **Units:** 3 - **Hours:** 54 Lecture - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules - Same as: AET 280 This course is designed to provide students working in or seeking employment in the green building field, with an overview of the green building industry and its components. Specifically, this course assists students in preparing for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) examination, which is the most recognized professional accreditation for green building in the nation. Emphasis is placed on the six categories of design that green buildings must address for LEED certification: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Each of these categories are studied, with a focus on the significance of each particular credit. ### ET 290 — Work Experience Education/Internship for Environmental Technology-Related Fields - **Units:** 1-4 - **Hours:** 3 Lecture, 54-216 Lab - **Advisory:** It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level, read college-level texts, and have knowledge of elementary algebra concepts. - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** Fall 2026, 1 section (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/fall-2026/et.md); Spring 2027, 2 sections (/c/rio-hondo-college/schedule/spring-2027/et.md) This course supports and reinforces on-the-job training in business and industrial establishments under the supervision of a college instructor. Training is informed by learning objectives. Students work in a skilled or professional-level assignment in their area of vocational interest, and meet performance objectives related to instruction that are above and beyond the conditions of regular employment. This course is intended for students whose job is related to the field of environmental technology and have completed or enrolled in the appropriate coursework. The course may be taken once and repeated for a maximum of 16 units. Contact the Work Experience Education Office regarding re-enrollment procedures. ### ET 299 — Directed Study: Environmental Technology - **Units:** 1-3 - **Hours:** 54-162 Lab - **Transfers to:** CSU - **Offered:** not on the Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027 schedules Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title V regulations with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.