Handbook home
Analytical & Environmental Chemistry (CHEM90006)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The lecture component of this subject covers the main sources and types of environmental contaminants with a focus on water contaminants and their effect on water quality. Frequently used analytical techniques in environmental and industrial monitoring and analysis, not covered in the prerequisite or other second year level chemistry subjects, will be outlined in the context of achieving desirable environmental outcomes. These include: volumetric analysis; gravimetric analysis; optical techniques (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry); electroanalytical techniques such as potentiometry (ion-selective electrodes, potentiometric stripping analysis) and voltammetry (polarography, anodic stripping voltammetry); analytical separation techniques (ion chromatography, extraction); and automatic analytical techniques (flow injection analysis).
The practical component of this subject involves the application of chromatographic (ion chromatography, gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography), electroanalytical (potentiometry, polarography and anodic stripping volatmmetry) and optical (atomic absorption spectrometry) analytical techniques to environmental samples.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of the subject, students should have acquired an in-depth understanding of the origin, distribution and role of environmental contaminants, and be able to select suitable methods for monitoring them. Students will also learn to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to the consideration of treatment options for industrial effluents. From the practical component, students should acquire enhanced laboratory skills and competence in using modern laboratory techniques.
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM20011 | Environmental Chemistry | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
CHEM90007 | Environmental Chemistry | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
CHEM20019 | Practical Chemistry 2 |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM30012 | Analytical & Environmental Chemistry | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of short laboratory reports | During the teaching period | 50% |
A written test
| Mid semester | 10% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory completion of both theory and practical work is necessary to pass the subject | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Brad Clarke Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 18 lectures and 32 hours of practical (project) work. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None.
Recommended texts and other resources
D.A.Skoog, D.M.West, F.J.Holler and S.R.Crouch, Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry, 8th Ed., Thomson, 2004.
D.A.Skoog, F.J.Holler and T.A.Nieman, Principles of Instrumental Analysis, 5th Ed., Thomson,1998
Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Eds. D.Perez-Bendito and S.Rubio, Elsevier, 1999.
G.W. van Loon and S.J.Duffy, Environmental Chemistry. A Global Perspective, 2nd Ed, Oxford, 2005. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Environmental Science - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024