6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Gippsland School of Applied Science and Engineering
Coordinator(s)
Not offered in 2017
Synopsis
This unit presents a broad overview of the origins of the environmental pollution problems by studying the sources, reactions, transport, effects and fate of chemical species in the water, soil and air environments. Specifically it will study the influence of human activity upon these processes and provide relevant practical introduction to the basic analytical techniques employed for environmental chemical analysis.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Classify, and state the sources of, water pollutants including oxygen-consuming wastes, disease-causing agents, synthetic organic compounds, radioactive materials and heat;
- Assess water quality by the measurement of the various water parameters;
- Discuss the chemical processes which occur in natural waters, soils and sediments;
- Describe the principles of air pollution;
- State the major sources, fate and effects of pollutants;
- Discuss tools and approaches for preventing environmental pollution;
- Demonstrate competence in basic analytical techniques employed for environmental chemical analysis, including atmospheric monitoring and sampling methods.
Assessment
Assignment work (5000 words): 20%
Practical work: 25%
Examination (3 hours): 55%
Workload requirements
Three 1-hour lectures and an average of three hours of laboratory per week
See also Unit timetable information