Environmental Chemistry (CHEM20011)

This subject explores fundamental aspects of the Earth's environmental systems, focusing on the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere (soil). Students will gain insights into the structure and chemistry of these interconnected systems, explore the composition of Earth's various systems, the role of key chemical compounds, and the impact of human activities on these delicate environments. 

Key topics include: 

• The chemistry governing Earth's environmental systems, including the hydrosphere, atmosphere, and lithosphere, to provide insights into the chemical processes and interactions that shape our planet's environmental dynamics.
• The sources, chemistries, and impacts of environmental pollution.
• The principles and applications of quantitative chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, and statistical techniques for reporting environmental data. 

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/emission spectrometries) and chromatographic (gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography) analytical techniques commonly used in environmental chemistry. 

Intended learning outcomes

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.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Explain chemical-based environmental problems, including identifying their key components in order to identify potential solutions.
• Describe and discuss environmental impacts of chemical substances and processes, in order to explain the importance of responsible chemical management.
• Interpret environmental data and apply an appropriate range of chemical principles to explain environmental phenomena and trends.
• Describe the principles and apply the techniques of key analytical methods employed in environmental chemistry, including calibration, error assessment, and the operation of analytical instruments in order to apply them to environmental monitoring and assessment.
• Describe and demonstrate insight into contemporary environmental chemistry issues in order to identify potential solutions.

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.