Course Title: Environmental Pollution, Management, and Sustainability
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Environmental Pollution, Management, and Sustainability
Credit Points: 12.00
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
Course Coordinator: N/A
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925
Course Coordinator Email: @rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Availability: Email for an appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
To complete this course successfully, you should have completed or be enrolled in any chemistry first-year course, such as CHEM1014 Environmental Issues in Chemical Perspective.
Course Description
This course introduces you to the science, management, and regulation of environmental contamination/pollution with emphasis on analysis of sources, pathways, and impacts.
Physical, chemical, and biological processes control contamination of air, water, and soil and it is essential to understand decimation processes and impactors to enable effective monitoring and mitigation of effects. Contaminants are released into the environment via natural and anthropogenic (domestic, leisure, industrial, agriculture and commercial activities) processes and many be harmful to human and ecosystem health. Monitoring mobility and impact of contamination involves using modern technologies which may be automated and remote.
In this course, we will focus on the sources, pathways and consequences of contamination as well as discussing the various approaches to pollution control, remediation, and sustainability; all in the context of the environmental and human health. This course covers important topics aligned with the UN-Sustainable development goals for Good Health and Well Being, Clean Water and Sanitation, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life on Land.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs:
BP192 Environmental Science
- PLO 1: Apply an interdisciplinary knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts, and practices in the environmental sciences.
- PLO 2: Analyse and critically examine scientific evidence through research with reflection on the role, relevance and significance of environmental science
- PLO 3: Apply principles of scientific inquiry, tools, and techniques relevant to environmental science to solve problems informed by evidence-based decision making.
- PLO 4: Critically evaluate and communicate concepts and practice relevant to the fields of environmental science to diverse audiences utilising a variety of modes employing integrity and culturally safe practices
- PLO 6: Demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to environmental science and exhibit safe and ethical conduct
On completion of this course you will be able to:
- Apply a theoretical knowledge of the processes which shape the natural world at different temporal and spatial scales and their influence from anthropogenic activity.
- Analyse environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed discussions on our planet and its people.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform site visits and use sampling devices that record and measure environmental contamination.
- Conduct, record, analyse, and interpret chemical/biological/physical observations and measurements in a practical setting to make informed decisions on management and sustainability.
- Communicate your knowledge and results clearly and coherently through a range of media
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be presented with several learning activities ranging from recorded lectures, lectorials and workshops, and practicals or site visits, including both individual and group activities. Delivery of lectorials and workshops may be face to face, online, or a hybrid model. Delivery of practicals and site visits will be Face to Face (in-person).
The learning activities included in this course are online lectures where syllabus material will be presented online. The lectorials/workshops will be used to discuss and explain the subject matter in an interactive manner illustrated with demonstrations and examples. Completion of tutorial questions and laboratory projects are designed to give further practice in the application of theory concepts and provide feedback on your progress and understanding. Completion of written assignments consisting of numerical and written problems will promote deeper understanding of the subject matter.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or your peers and seek out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, links, and material specific to this course that is available through the RMIT Student website.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through Canvas and the RMIT Student website, where lecture notes, online resources, practice questions, laboratory and site visit manuals, and recorded content wil be available for you to access.
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 RMIT Student website.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes
Weighting (30%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2
Assessment Task 2: Laboratory/Site Reports
Weighting (30%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3, 4 & 5
Assessment Task 3: Problem-Based Final Timed Assessment
Weighting (40%)
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2
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.