James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

CH3041 - Environmental Chemistry

Subject Description

Environmental Chemistry covers three broad areas - chemistry of the natural environment, pollution chemistry and environmental analytical chemistry. In this subject, students will cover these broad areas in detail including atmospheric chemistry, aquatic chemistry, soil chemistry, toxicology, greenhouse gases, smog, indoor air quality, water pollution, acid sulphate soils, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, chemical wastes and waste treatment. Over the course of the subject, students will develop skills used in environmental monitoring such as field sampling, quality control, classical methods (gravimetry, titrimetry), chromatography (GC, HPLC, IC), spectroscopy (ND-IR, fluorescence, colorimetry, AA) and electroanalytical techniques.

Learning Outcomes

• be able to comprehend the chemical principles involved in Environmental Chemistry and develop a familiarity with the analytical techniques that are typically used in environmental monitoring
• understand a general framework for those aspects of Chemistry that are inherent in environmental, biological and earth sciences within the context of the tropics
• be able to analyze and demonstrate, through both written and oral communication, an understanding of the causes, effects and responses to environmental condition (especially pollution)
• be trained in instrumental and analytical techniques appropriate to monitoring, and carry out practical laboratory and field operations using these methods
• be able to compile and analyze data to produce scientific reports which assess the quality of the physical environment

Subject Assessment

• Written > Examination (centrally administered) - (45%) - Individual
• Written > Test/Quiz 1 - (15%) - Individual
• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (10%) - Individual
• Performance/Practice/Product > Practical assessment/practical skills demonstration - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  CH2041, CH5041

Availabilities