Course Title: Atmospheric Chemistry and Emerging Contaminants

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Atmospheric Chemistry and Emerging Contaminants

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

CHEM1086

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

CHEM1086

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020

Course Coordinator: Dr Jeff Hughes

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3370

Course Coordinator Email: jeff.hughes@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 3.2.16

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment, by email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

In order to successfully complete this course, students should have passed CHEM1059 or equivalent tertiary studies in chemistry of the atmosphere and biosphere.


Course Description

This course builds on the knowledge and experiences gained in the second-year environmental chemistry subjects. It aims to give you further understanding of the fundamental chemical and physical processes in the environment and of the chemistry underlying anthropogenic impacts on the environment, through a combination of lecture and laboratory work. The course is designed to complement the content of other courses in the final year of Environmental Science programs.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the School of Science Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) at AQF level 7 BP192 Bachelor of Environmental Science related programs.

PLO-2 Scientific Knowledge

  • PLO-2.1 You will have exhibited depth and breadth of chemistry knowledge by demonstrating a knowledge of and applying the principles and concepts of chemistry

PLO-3 Inquiry, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking 

  • PLO-3.1You will be able to investigate and solve qualitative and quantitative problems in the chemical sciences, both individually and in teams, by synthesising and evaluating in formation from a range of sources, including traditional and emerging information technologies and methods
  • PLO-3.2 You will be able to formulate hypotheses, proposals and predictions and design and undertake experiments and projects in a safe and responsible manner

PLO-4 Communication 

  • PLO-4.1 You will be able to communicate chemical knowledge by presenting information, effectively communicating scientific results, information or arguments, in a variety of modes, to diverse audiences, and for a range of purposes

PLO-5 Personal and professional responsibility 

  • PLO-5.4 You will have developed an ability to work collaboratively.


On completion of this course you should be able to: 

  1. access and use a variety of learning materials and resources;
  2. solve real-world problems in chemical and environmental areas using a systematic approach;
  3. acquire a range of laboratory skills relating to instrument operation, observation, measurement and safe working in the laboratory, appropriate to final year studies. This will prepare you for future careers in industry and research;
  4. work as part of a team in tutorial and laboratory sessions;
  5. present worked solutions to problems and write laboratory reports in a concise, systematic and professional manner;
  6. use the concepts, terminology, conventions and calculations important in environmental chemistry.

 


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:

  • attendance at lectures where syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the subject will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
  • completion of tutorial questions and laboratory projects designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give you feedback on your progress and understanding;
  • completion of written assignments consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter; and
  • private study, working through the course as presented in classes and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and numerical problems.

Total Study Hours

Teacher guided hours (lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes) ~50hrs/semester

Learner directed hours (reviewing study material, tutorial exercises and writing laboratory reports) ~70hrs/semester 


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be provided with resource materials via the Canvas site for CHEM1086. This site will include class notes and presentations, tutorial exercises, videos and other support materials.

You will also receive a laboratory manual.

 


Overview of Assessment

Note that:

☒ 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 Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

The assessments are:

(a) Atmospheric Chemistry (35%; 2 in-class test; this assessment supports CLOs 1,2,5,6

(b) Emerging Environmental Contaminants (35%; written and oral reports; this assessment supports CLOs 1,2,4,5,6)

(c) Laboratory reports (30%; Hurdle; this assessment supports CLOs 1,2,3,6)

You will perform practicals in the Laboratory and write reports.

The Laboratory assessments are a hurdle for this course, meaning that you must receive more than 50% on the Laboratory component in order to pass the course. The skills learned in Practical classes are essential to ensure that you can operate safely as a professional. This hurdle has been approved by the SEH PVC Learning & Teaching.