ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor A Meharg

Pre-requisites

CM 1010 or CM 1011, CM 1506 and either SS 2002 or EV 1505 or PL 3303

Notes

This course extends over 6 weeks only.

Overview

This course aims to give students a sound insight into the composition of environmental samples and the methods used for their analysis. At the end of the course, you should be able to make sensible decisions in the planning of analytical sampling strategies to meet the needs of any specified environmental analytical problem related to the soil/plant/water system. You should have a reasonable knowledge of sample preparation procedures, sub-sampling methods and sub-sample dissolution techniques. You should have a basic grasp of key soil chemical processes and how they are quantified and a sound understanding of how to obtain reliable analytical results using a selection of modern instrumental methods of analysis. Methods include spectrophotometry and colorimetry, fluorimetry, flame and furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, high pressure liquid and ion chromatography, total organic carbon carbon analysis, electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and flame and plasma atomic emission spectrometry. You should also have a grasp of approaches to automation of analytical methodology and be capable of handling routine analytical calculations.

Structure

6 weeks, Thread I - 3 one-hour lectures per week, 5 six hour practicals and 1 two-hour tutorials during the course.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Continuous assessment on essay, laboratory reports and class presentation (100%). Resit:

Credit Points

Course Coordinator

Dr M J Wilson & Dr G I Paton

Pre-requisites

Available only for candidates for Environmental Science.

Notes

This course will run in August, with 2 weeks of fieldwork in Denmark in 2004, (and in Germany in the Summer of 2005).

Overview

This is a collaborative field trip based on the 6 Euroleague Universities of Hohenheim, Wageningen, BOKU (Vienna), Uppsala, KVL (Copenhagen) and Aberdeen and taught in English. The course aims to enhance student understanding of environmental problems and of their solutions in a European context. Each year the field trip is organised in a different country in Europe but is based on: A videoconference introduction, one-week individual study based on web based information, and a two week field course in a European country during the Summer.

Structure

1/2 day videoconferencing, 1 week of web-based private study and 2 weeks field work.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Project Report (100%) presented on the last day of the field trip.
Resit: Not available.

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr J Feldmann

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for Honours in Environmental Science.

Overview

12 weeks of supervised research. The project is normally to be completed by the end of the first half-session. Only exceptionally, and with the permission of the Degree Co-ordinator may part or all of the project be done in the second half-session.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (100%). Resit:

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr J Feldmann

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for Honours in Environmental Science (Ecology).

Overview

12 weeks of supervised research. The project is normally to be completed by the end of the first half-session. Only exceptionally, and with the permission of the Degree Co-ordinator may part or all of the project be done in the second half-session.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (100%). Resit:

Credit Points

45

Course Coordinator

Dr J Feldmann

Pre-requisites

Available only to candidates for Honours in Environmental Science (Physical Sciences).

Co-requisites

CM 4015 and BI 4301

Overview

12 weeks of supervised research.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Dissertation (100%). Resit: