Course Title: Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

CHEM1014

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

CHEM1014

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024

CHEM1267

City Campus

Postgraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2016

CHEM1267

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019

Course Coordinator: Dr Selvakannan Periasamy

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: selvakannan.periasamy@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: Book appointment via email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge

Prior background in VCE Chemistry will be beneficial but not essential.


Course Description

This Course will introduce you to the principles of chemistry within an environmental context and will enable you to develop and practise independent learning skills. This course will also give you an appreciation of scientific methodology and enable you to develop those problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary to analyse and discuss chemical and physical phenomena in the environment. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for:

BH080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)
BP192 Bachelor of Environmental Science


On successful completion of this course you will be able to: 

  1. Describe, explain, and apply fundamental chemical principles of the natural environment (Biogeochemical cycle) and anthropogenic intrusions (Pollutions) to study the Chemistry of the environment 
  2. Collect, accurately record, interpret, and draw conclusions from scientific data 
  3. Identify the analytical chemistry methods and environmental processes to develop solutions for treatment of large and complex systems in environmental monitoring 
  4. Apply a range of environmental frameworks to draw conclusions related to environmental challenges 
  5. Communicate the science-societal significance of environmental chemistry to a variety of audiences using a variety of formats 
  6. Work effectively, responsibly, and safely in an individual or team context 


Overview of Learning Activities

As part of this Course, you will 

  • access the extensive range of on-line learning resources via Canvas  
  • watch the online lectures in which the syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the topic will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples.  
  • work through examples and problems during the lectures  
  • attend  weekly tutorials that will reinforce lecture materials.  
  • be prepared to  plan your activities before entering a laboratory.  
  • learn how to approach a problem using critical thinking and how to design a scientific approach to address a problem. 
  • learn how to communicate scientific content as an individual and in a team. 


Overview of Learning Resources

The prescribed textbook is:

  • Silberberg, M., "Chemistry, The Molecular Nature of Matter and Change" (McGraw-Hill)

Other textbooks for recommended readiing:that are used are:

  • Harrison, Roy M., “Introductory chemistry for the environmental sciences” Cambridge University Press 
  • Spiro, Thomas G., “Chemistry of the environment” Prentice Hall 
  • Sterner, Olov “Chemistry, Health and environment” Wiley-Blackwell 
  • McMurry, J., "Organic Chemistry" (Brookes-Cole) 
  • Aylward, G. and Findlay, F., "SI Chemical Data" (Wiley) 

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching). 

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Theory Quiz 
Weighting 30%  
This assessment task supports CLOs 1,2 & 3 

Assessment Task 2: Written assignment  
Weighting 30%  
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3 & 4 

Assessment Task 3: Case Study & Presentation 
Weighting 40%  
This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4, 5 & 6 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.