Module Details

Module Code: ENVI6002
Title: Environmental Instrumentation
Long Title: Environmental Instrumentation
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 4220 - Environmental Science
Module Delivered in: 9 programme(s)
Module Description: This module provides an introduction to environmental measuring technologies.The module will draw extensively from EPA resources and reports with particular reference to sources and types of pollution arising from industrial facilities, agriculture, transport and energy production.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify the various sources of pollution that contribute to the potential degradation of the environment with particular reference to industrial and agricultural development in Ireland.
LO2 Use EPA resources and reports to obtain scientific information on environmental issues with particular reference to air quality, water quality and climate change.
LO3 Use in line probes to acquire and analyse data on a variety of water and air quality parameters.
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
Sources of Pollution and IPPC licensing
Pollution: Main sources of contamination in soil, air and water. Introduction to air and water emission monitoring. European legislation, Water framework directive, CAFE Directive.
Water and Air Quality
Groundwater vs surface water. Inline measurement of pH, conductivity, turbidity, DO, TOC, phosphates, nitrates, chlorine etc. Introduction to potable water and wastewater treatment, both industrial and municipal. Ambient air vs stack emissions. Measurement of CO, CO2, ozone, particulates, SOX and NOX.
Waste and recycling:
Incineration, site remediation, hazardous waste, carbon footprint, introduction to recycling. Air abatement techniques.
Climate Change
Effects such as air temperature, CO2 levels and ocean acidity. Sources and relative contribution of greenhouse gases. Mitigation strategies.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 7 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Assessment of lecture material
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 40
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2
Assessment Description
Assessment of lecture material
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 30
Timing Every Week Learning Outcomes 3
Assessment Description
Experiment and lab assessment
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 Course material Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Experiment and assessment Every Week 2.00 2
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Study lecture material Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Course material Every Week 1.50 1.5
Lab Contact Experiment and assessment Every Week 1.50 1.5
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Directed study Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Learning Non Contact Study Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
 
Module Resources
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Al Gore. (2006), An Inconvenient Truth, Bloomsbury, London, [ISBN: 0-7475-8906-2].
  • Pradyot Patnaik. (2010), Handbook of Environmental Analysis: Chemical Pollutants in Air, Water, Soil, and Solid Wastes, Second Edition, 2. CRCpress, [ISBN: 9781420065817].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • EPA. (2017), Air Quality in Ireland 2016, [ISSN: 978-1-840].
  • EPA. (2013), Integrated Water Quality Report 2011.
  • EPA. (2017), National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017-2022.
  • EPA. (2017), Water Quality in Ireland 2010-2015.
  • EPA. (2013), Emissions form IPPC Industry: Quantifying Pollution Trends & Regulatory Effectiveness.
  • EPA. (2013), Air Quality Monitoring Report.
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_SCHQA_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Analytical Chemistry with Quality Assurance 2 Mandatory
CR_SESST_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology 2 Mandatory
CR_SINEN_8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Instrument Engineering 2 Mandatory
CR_SCHEM_7 Bachelor of Science in Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry 2 Mandatory
CR_SPHYS_7 Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Instrumentation 2 Mandatory
CR_SPHYS_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Physics and Instrumentation 2 Mandatory
CR_SCHEM_6 Higher Certificate in Science in Chemistry 2 Mandatory
CR_SOMNI_7 Physical Sciences (Common Entry) 2 Mandatory
CR_SOMNI_8 Physical Sciences (Common Entry) 2 Mandatory