Module Details

Module Code: CHEA7003
Title: Environmental Analysis
Long Title: Environmental Analysis
NFQ Level: Intermediate
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4424 - Analytical Chemistry
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: This module describes common pollutants, procedures for air and water analysis including electrochemical methods, protocols for the treatment and disposal of wastewater and solid wastes.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain rates of transfer between environmental compartments, biogeochemical cycles, and fate of organic and inorganic pollutants.
LO2 Discuss the origin, effects and analysis protocols for common pollutants associated with air and water.
LO3 Describe the principles of electrochemical and particle size analysis for environmental and bio-generated samples.
LO4 Research and present information on a selected environmental pollution topic.
LO5 Perform practical analysis on selected environmental samples.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).

Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.

No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Atmospheric Analysis
Atmosphere, natural and anthropogenic pollutants sources. Atmospheric sampling and analysis related to ozone depletion, photochemical smog, global warming and acidic rain. Chemical methods for reducing the impact of the atmospheric pollutants.
Water analysis
Pollution sources and compounds, transportation and bio-accumulation, Chemical origin of water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen, biodegradable organics, total organic carbon,suspended solids, pH,hardness,etc. Instrumental methods for analysis of trace pollutants in water.
Wastewater and wastewater treatment
Processes involved in water and wastewater treatment -sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, filtration, water softening, disinfection, activated sludge treatment
Introduction to electroanalytical methods
Nernst equation, electrochemical cells, principles of potentiometric methods, pH and ion-selective electrodes.
Practical Programme
Selected practicals in environmental chemistry and analysis
Research and presentation on environmental pollution topics
Review of literature and examples of presentations on environmemtal pollution topics such as ozone depletion, acidic rain, algal bloom, heavy metals, etc.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 60
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Theory tests. Topics may include: instruments and techniques for sapling and analysis of water and atmospheric samples; analysis of pollutants related to ozone depletion, photochemical smog, global
warming, water quality parameters, trace elements in water, ion-selective electrodes, water treatment, etc.
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 5
Assessment Description
Four practicals, with associated reports and calculations to be submitted within one week of completion of each practical
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 4
Assessment Description
Oral presentation on an assigned environmental topic such as ozone depletion, acidic rain, algal bloom, heavy metals, etc.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Module Content delivery Every Week 3.00 3
Lab Contact Environmental Chemistriy practiclas including analysis of nitrates,phospates, metal ions by spectroscopy, as well as Karl Fisher Titrations. Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student undertakes independent study. Every Week 2.00 2
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 5.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Student undertakes independent study. Every Week 2.00 2
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 3.50 3.5
Lab Contact Environmental Chemistriy practiclas including analysis of nitrates,phospates, metal ions by spectroscopy, as well as Karl Fisher Titrations. Every Second Week 0.50 1
Total Hours 6.50
Total Weekly Learner Workload 6.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • James E. Girard. (2014), Principles of Environmental Chemistry, 3rd Ed.. Jones and Bartlett, [ISBN: 1449650155].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Douglas A. Skoog... [et al.]. (2013), Fundamentals of analytical chemistry, 9th. Chapters 18-21, Cengage Learning, Inc, Belmont, CA, USA, [ISBN: 9780495558286].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SCHQA_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance 6 Mandatory
CR_SESST_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology 6 Mandatory
CR_SCHEM_7 Bachelor of Science in Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry 6 Mandatory