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Environmental Chemistry (CHEM20011)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
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The subject covers important aspects of the structure and chemistry of the hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere (soil). The subject also examines sources, chemistry and impact of environmental pollution, energy resources (fossil fuels, nuclear and solar) and the impact of energy utilisation.

Subject topics also include the principles and application of quantitative chemical analysis and environmental monitoring (calibration methods; experimental errors; volumetric analysis, spectrophotometry, gas and liquid chromatography, and atomic absorption spectrometry).

A key aspect of this subject will be the comprehensive investigation of a current environmental chemistry issue, which will be covered in a small-group, scenario-based learning mode.

The practical component of this subject will involve the application of titrimetric, optical (spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectrometry) and chromatographic (gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography) analytical techniques to the determination of compounds of environmental interest.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should have developed:




Through the practical component of this subject students should have acquired laboratory skills in classical analytical methods and modern spectrometric and chromatographic techniques, which are widely employed in environmental monitoring and analysis.





  • skills in analysing chemically based environmental problems;
  • an awareness of the possible effects of chemicals on the environment;
  • a capacity to interpret environmental data and to apply diverse chemical principles in the explanation of environmental phenomena;
  • an appreciation of the need for high quality environmental chemical analysis and the importance of selecting and utilising appropriate analytical methods and techniques for their monitoring;
  • an understanding of the principles of the key analytical methods used in environmental chemistry;
  • skills in investigating contemporary environmental chemistry issues;
  • an ability to operate in small teams;
  • an awareness of professional scientific practice.

Generic skills

This subject will provide students with opportunities to develop the following generic skills:

  • the ability to comprehend complex concepts and effectively communicate this understanding to the scientific community and in a manner accessible to the wider community;
  • the ability to analyse and solve abstract technical problems;
  • the ability to connect and apply the learnt concepts to a broad range of scientific problems beyond the scope of this subject;
  • an awareness of advanced technologies;
  • the ability to use conceptual models to rationalise observations;
  • the ability to think and reason logically;

Upon completion of this subject students should gain skills in

  • planning;
  • time-management;
  • critical thinking;
  • data evaluation and interpretation;
  • conducting literature searches using scientific databases;
  • report-writing;
  • oral presentation; (must show in assessment)
  • problem-solving
  • working collaboratively with other students.

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CHEM10004 Chemistry 2
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEM10006 Chemistry for Biomedicine
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5
CHEM10009 Chemistry for BioSciences
Not available in 2023
 12.5

OR

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
CHEM10003 Chemistry 1
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
 12.5

With a result of at least 80

A package of materials will be made available to provide additional preparation for this subject.

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

A written assignment as part of the scenario based learning component of the subject not exceeding 10 pages

  • 10 pages
During the teaching period20%

A written examination

  • 2 hours
During the examination period40%

An ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of short laboratory reports

During the teaching period40%
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory completion of both the practical work and the 2-hour written examination is necessary to pass the subject.N/A

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorBrad Clarke
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours3 x one hour lectures per week for 8 weeks (weeks 1-8); 1 x one hour tutorial per week for 6 weeks (weeks 4-10); 1 x 3.5 hour practical class per week for 6 weeks. Total 51 hours.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022
    Last self-enrol date11 March 2022
    Census date31 March 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022
    Assessment period ends24 June 2022

    Semester 1 contact information

    brad.clarke@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Additional delivery details

This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.

Last updated: 3 June 2023

Further information

Last updated: 3 June 2023