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GV1A3NU-Chemistry of the Earth & Environment
Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Semesters in which taught: Semester 2 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3
Module Convenor: Dr Tom Sizmur
Email: t.sizmur@reading.ac.uk
Type of module:
Summary module description:
This module provides a broad understanding of applied environmental chemistry. Students will gain fundamental knowledge of the underlying chemical principles in the terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric sciences that will provide a strong background for further learning in environmental science and engineering.
Aims:
This module is intended to provide fundamental understanding of chemical principles in the earth, water and atmosphere, and to apply the knowledge to environmental issues.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Explain fundamental chemical concepts
- Classify compounds and write equilibrium equations for chemical reactions
- Describe the structures of rock-forming silicate minerals, weathering processes and basic soil chemistry
- Explain the significance of water chemistry and associated chemical reactions
- Explain the structure of the atmosphere
- Describe biogeochemical cycles and issues pertaining to air pollution
- Discuss terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric pollution cases
- Perform simple experiments and data analysis to demonstrate chemical principles
Additional outcomes:
By the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to apply their knowledge through technical report writing and oral presentation.
Outline content:
Lectures include:
- Atoms and Elements
- States of Matter, Units of Measurement
- Chemical Bonding
- Chemical Structures
- Chemical Reactions and Equilibria
- Formation of the Earth, Structures of Silicate Minerals
- Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks
- Weathering, Chemistry of Soil
- Properties of Water, Acids, Bases, and the pH scale
- Ions in Solution, Redox Chemistry
- Colloids and Suspended Particles, Water Pollution
- Structure of the Atmosphere, Evolution and Composition of the Atmosphere
- Biogeochemical cycles, Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect
- Ozone Layer, Air Pollution
Laboratory training and experiments include:
- Introduction to the environmental chemistry laboratory
- Preparing solutions and measuring their properties
- Measuring the energy of reactions
- Predicting solubility
- Measuring alkalinity, acidity and conductivity
- Box models, Stiff & Piper diagrams
- Chemistry of natural waters
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A combination of interactive lectures and laboratory classes.Ìý Guided independent study provides time for guided reading as well as consolidating your notes, preparing your assignments, addressing feedback on formative and summative assessments.
Ìý | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
Lectures | 76 | |
Practicals classes and workshops | 20 | |
Guided independent study: | Ìý | Ìý |
Ìý Ìý Wider reading (independent) | 10 | |
Ìý Ìý Wider reading (directed) | 20 | |
Ìý Ìý Exam revision/preparation | 5 | |
Ìý Ìý Peer assisted learning | 10 | |
Ìý Ìý Advance preparation for classes | 10 | |
Ìý Ìý Preparation for presentations | 5 | |
Ìý Ìý Preparation of practical report | 10 | |
Ìý Ìý Completion of formative assessment tasks | 5 | |
Ìý Ìý Revision and preparation | 5 | |
Ìý Ìý Reflection | 24 | |
Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Total hours by term | 0 | 200 |
Ìý | Ìý | Ìý |
Total hours for module | 200 |
Method | Percentage |
Written exam | 60 |
Report | 20 |
Oral assessment and presentation | 20 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
2 hours
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
One written report based on laboratory work (1500 words), one oral presentation.
Formative assessment methods:
During the module, the students are given quizzes comprising short and multiple choice questions. These are used to analyse and feed-forward topic by topic, and assist in the preparation of summative assessments.
Penalties for late submission:
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in July
Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:Ìý
2) Specialist equipment or materials:Ìý
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:Ìý
4) Printing and binding:Ìý
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:Ìý
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:Ìý
Last updated: 22 September 2022
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.