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Environmental Chemistry (CHEM90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The subject covers important aspects of the structure and chemistry of the hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere (soil) sources, chemistry and impact of environmental pollution. 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 skills in recognising chemically based environmental problems, an awareness of the possible effects of chemicals on the environment and a capacity to interpret environmental data and to apply diverse chemical principles in the explanation of environmental phenomena
- appreciate the need for high quality environmental chemical analysis and the importance of selecting and utilising appropriate analytical methods and techniques for their monitoring
- understand the principles of the key analytical methods used in environmental chemistry
- have developed skills in investigating contemporary environmental chemistry issues, a consideration of the wider context of these issues, generic skills in operating in small teams and an awareness of professional practice as a scientist
- have acquired through the practical component, enhanced laboratory skills in using classical analytical methods and modern spectrometric and chromatographic techniques, which are widely employed in environmental monitoring and analysis
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: 12 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| 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 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM20011 | Environmental Chemistry | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - 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.
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: 12 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A written assignment as part of the scenario based learning component of the subject not exceeding 10 pages
| During the teaching period | 20% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 40% |
An ongoing assessment of practical work in the form of short laboratory reports | During the teaching period | 40% |
| 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: 12 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Brad Clarke Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 51 hours, comprising three 1-hour lectures per week (weeks 1-8); one 1-hour tutorial per week (weeks 4-10); one 3.5-hour practical class per week for 6 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours.
Last updated: 12 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
- Skoog, D.A., West, D.M., Holler, F.J. & Crouch, S.R. (2022) Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (10th Edition), Cengage, Inc., Boston, USA.
- Silberberg, M.S. & Amateis, P. (2021) Chemistry: The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change (9th Edition), McGraw-Hill, New York, USA.
- Hendrix, M. & Thompson, G. (2020) Earth Science: An Introduction (3rd Edition), Cengage Inc, Boston, USA.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- 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: 12 November 2022