CHEM2610

Environmental Chemistry I

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 1

Previously offered in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004

Environmental science is the foundation of the increased environmental understanding today and chemistry plays a major role in this. The properties and reactions of substances in the environment can profoundly influence the world we live in. These substances may be natural or man-made, and there is increasing interest in the interface between man-made systems and the natural environment. Understanding of the chemical basis of environmental science is developed in this course via studies in the areas of water, earth and atmosphere.

This course has compulsory course components and students must:
1. must participate in and submit laboratory reports for the established minimum requirements and obtain a minimum passing grade of 50%; and
2. obtain a minimum passing grade of 40% in the final, end-of-semester examination for the course.

In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory Health and Safety requirement. Students will receive full information on this compulsory component in the course outline provided by the school.

Objectives On successful completion of this course, students will have:

1. developed expertise relevant to the professional practice of chemistry, environmental science and engineering
2. developed an understanding of the range and chemistry of compounds in the hydrosphere and geosphere
3. established an appreciation of the role of chemistry in environmental science
4. developed an understanding of the role of the chemist in measurement and problem solving in environmental studies
5. an understanding of chemical methods employed for environmental problem solving
6. experience in some scientific methods employed in environmental chemistry
7. developed skills in procedures and instrumental methods applied in analytical tasks of environmental chemistry
8. developed skills in the scientific method of planning, developing, conducting, reviewing and reporting experiments
9. developed an understanding of the professional and safety responsibilities residing in working on environmental problems
Content The course involves study of selected topics from the following:

1) Introduction to Environmental Chemistry:
a) chemistry and the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere
b) the role of chemistry in environmental studies

2) The Hydrosphere:
a) fundamentals of aquatic chemistry
b) speciationand redox equilibria in natural waters
c) gases in water
d) organic matter in water
e) metals in water
f) environmental colloids
g) chemical aspects of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles
h) water pollution and wastewater treatment

3) The Atmosphere:
a) introduction to the nature and composition of the atmosphere
b) the greenhouse effect and global warming
c) the case against global warming
d) energy production and global warming

4) The Geosphere:
a) igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks and the rock cycle
b) weathering
c) development of soils and soil profiles
d) characteristics of soils suitable for plant growth
e) soil degradation: salinity and sodicity
Replacing Course(s) NA
Transition NA
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge CHEM1010 and CHEM1020.
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Problem Based Learning
Lecture
Laboratory
Tutorial
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments
Examination: Formal This is a compulsory course component. Students must obtain a minimum passing grade of 40% in the final, end-of-semester examination for the course in order to demonstrate that they have fulfilled course objectives relating to the understanding of the material expounded during lectures and/or described in assigned readings.

On achieving a passing grade, a final mark will be given in the course and it will be recorded that the student has satisfied the compulsory course component. Students who fail to satisfy the compulsory course component will be awarded a zero mark and a FF grade, irrespective of their final numeric mark. In such case, the normal avenues of appeal open to them.
Laboratory Exercises This course has a compulsory course component in its laboratory component. Students must participate in and submit laboratory reports for the established minimum requirements and obtain a passing grade of at least 50% in order to demonstrate that the student has fulfilled course objectives relating to appropriate laboratory skills and professional and safety responsibilities. On achieving the passing grade, a final mark will be given in the course and it will be recorded that the student satisfied the compulsory course component. For those students who fail to satisfy the essential criterion will have the normal avenues of appeal open to them.

Make-up provisions
Students who are unable to complete the required number of laboratory exercises for reasons beyond their control will be offered the opportunity to make up at least one experiment at the discretion of the Discipline of Chemistry.
Presentations - Individual - Oral
Quiz - Tutorial
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Tutorial: for 1 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Laboratory: for 3 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Compulsory Components
Compulsory Course Component OHS-Safety Induction or Risk Assessment. In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory safety induction.
Compulsory Course Component In order to meet course objectives aligned with the students' understanding of, and ability to manipulate and apply the theoretical concepts which form the core of the material expounding during lectures and/or described in assigned readings, students must:
1. must participate in and submit laboratory reports for the established minimum requirements and obtain a minimum passing grade of 50%; and
2. obtain a minimum passing grade of 40% in the final, end-of-semester examination for the course.
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for CHEM2610