65621 Environmental Chemistry
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 65111 Chemistry 1
Description
This subject focuses on the importance and role of chemical changes in the natural environment, and those resulting from human activity. Chemical changes are examined for the hydrosphere and atmosphere with particular emphasis placed on the importance of organic and inorganic pollutants, and changes in organic molecular structures. Chemical changes are examined for inorganic matter (soil clays) and organic matter (plant materials), having as their end products humic substances, petroleum and coal. Important pollutants including halogenated hydrocarbons, and the oxides of nitrogen, sulphur and carbon, are discussed in the contexts of their origins and effects on the geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. The subject concludes with discussions regarding sustainable chemistry processes, with a focus on green synthetic routes, solvent selection, catalysis and atom economy.
The practical component of this subject involves the application of titrimetric and spectrophotometric methods of analysis along with the use of analytical probes to measure and assess water quality. Students are also introduced to the importance of green chemistry methods in the laboratory.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify and apply environmental chemistry terminology, concepts, calculations and statistical analyses |
|---|---|
| 2. | Conduct environmental chemical analyses and utilise appropriate analytical methods and techniques |
| 3. | Use laboratory equipment and instruments accurately and safely to conduct experiments, observations and measurements of chemical processes |
| 4. | Communicate and report experimental results in an effective and professional manner |
| 5. | Design and execute an appropriate research plan to investigate environmental chemistry problems |
| 6. | Operate as a professional scientist in the laboratory and in small group work scenarios |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of the principles of biodiversity and ecosystem function and evaluate and integrate principles of sustainability and conservation to protect biodiversity. (1.1)
- Critically evaluate scientific evidence and literature and apply effective and appropriate experimental design and analytical techniques to discover and hypothesise solutions to new and emerging environmental issues. (2.1)
- Demonstrate professionalism, including personal organisation, autonomy, teamwork, literacy and quantitative skills, while ensuring due consideration to ethical guidelines, work health and safety and environmental impact requirements. (3.1)
- Communicate effectively and professionally (oral, written, visual), generating defensible, convincing arguments for relaying research findings or articulating complex issues, concepts or skill around environmental science, within a multi-disciplinary setting. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject will contribute to the development of the following graduate attributes in ways appropriate to the subject and the stage of progression.
Graduate Attribute 1 - Disciplinary knowledge:
An understanding of the nature, practice and application of environmental chemistry will be fostered through the lecture material taught and is enhanced through the laboratory experiences which will reinforce the principles taught in lectures.
Graduate Attribute 2 - Research, inquiry and critical thinking:
This involves fostering an understanding of the scientific method of knowledge acquisition. It also encompasses problem solving, critical thinking and analysis attributes, and the ability to discover new understanding. All of these attributes are developed through the practical program, in particular the inquiry oriented laboratory exercise which will develop both your curiosity and creativity. You learn to acquire, record and interpret scientific data and make judgments beyond the current experiments to wider scientific principles.
Graduate Attribute 3 - Professional, ethical and social responsibility:
This attributes relates to your ability to acquire, develop, employ and integrate a range of technical, practical and professional skills, in appropriate and ethical ways within a professional context, autonomously and collaboratively and across a range of disciplinary and professional areas. In this context, you will develop personal organisation skills, teamwork skills, and laboratory skills expected of professional scientists. You will acquire these skills through the practical component of the subject, including the recording and reporting of your experimental results. This subject will help to develop your awareness and appreciation of the role of environmental chemistry can have in resolving and solving environmental problems faced by human societies. You will undertake an independent research task to explore topics relevant to environmental chemistry and society to develop this important attributes.
Graduate Attribute 5 - Communication:
This refers to developing an understanding of the different forms of communication - writing, reading, speaking, listening - including visual and graphical, within science and beyond, and the ability to apply these appropriately and effectively for different audiences. Students learn how to communicate results effectively in written and graphical format. The students are assessed on their ability to communicate scientific data.
Teaching and learning strategies
You will view online a series of videos (2 hours per week for 11 weeks), and attend practicals (3 hours per week for 10 weeks). The practicals will involve: one in-lab introductory training session, six in-lab laboratory experiments, two on-line sessions concerning laboratory data analysis, and one in-lab quiz.
Example questions, with worked solutions, will be provided each week to support asynchronous learning associated with the Videos. The Videos and example questions will become available in the week before the timetabled Week. In each timetabled Week, optional on-line discussion sessions will be held concerning each question set.
The Videos will introduce you to the key theoretical knowledge needed to actively participate in the laboratory sessions. A detailed course schedule will be provided, and in it it can be seen that many Pracs rely on Video material for the same week. Hence all asynchronous learning material should be processed before the Prac session scheduled for the same week.
Most prac reports are intended to be completed within the lab. Students who need additional time, and those that miss in-lab sessions for whatever reason, will have one week to submit their lab reports, using provided data if necessary; online help sessions could become available to assist in this process.
The text book Pearson, and its associated integrated online materials, will provide a parallel learning pathway to that provided by the videos, worked examples, on-line discussions, and prac.
Feedback is a key component of the subject. This will be provided to you while completing the laboratory tasks and also when completing the practice questions. You will also receive feedback on your professional practice after completing a self-assessment of your experience in the laboratory. Practice questions will be provided throughout the semester and will assist you in tracking your progress against the subject learning objectives.
During the laboratory sessions you will work collaboratively in small groups to develop a range of skills relating to instrument operation, observation, and measurement. This will require an organised group approach, requiring coordination and contributions from all team members. All assessments are individually assessed.
Content (topics)
The videos focus on four main topics:
- Chemistry and the Earth's Atmosphere
- Chemistry and the Earth’s Water
- Toxic Substances
- Sustainable Chemistry Processes
The laboratory practicals contain the following:
- Demonstration of the Ideal Gas Law
- Spectrophotometric determination of metals in natural water
- Determination of the alkalinity of a water sample
- Determination of water quality
- Leaching of organic compounds from soil
- Investigation into a solvent-free reaction
The online laboratory classes will focus on:
- Data analysis methods used in industry concerning the carbon system in natural waters
- Statical analyses needed for a major laboratory report pertaining to an inquiry oriented investigation
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Laboratory-based Assessment
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 55% |
| Criteria: | Further details will be provided in class. |
Assessment task 2: Final Quiz
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
| Length: | 2 hours |
| Criteria: | Further details will be provided in CANVAS. |
Minimum requirements
Practical classes in subjects offered by the Faculty of Science are an important and integral part of your learning in this subject. In addition to assisting students’ understanding of application of concepts, practical classes develop hands-on laboratory skills and experience, including safety skills and specialised techniques related to the assessment tasks. These also contribute to the development of essential graduate attributes desired by employers. Thus, students are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled practical sessions.
If you cannot attend a scheduled practical class, please contact your subject coordinator using the Environmental Chemistry email address (envirochem@uts.edu.au) as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
Recommended texts
Brown et al, Chemistry: The Central Science, 3rd Edition, 2014