ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Professor G Paton and Dr L Maderova

Pre-requisites

BI 25P2; other students may be permitted onto the course at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

Considers the factors and processes that form soils; the aspects that govern the distribution and maturation of soils in a local, regional and global scale; the interaction of soils with biological processes and their susceptibility to environmental change; the classification and taxonomy of soils, soils maps (their development and survey) and the use of mapping in land capability and other practices.

Structure

The course runs over six weeks. Typically, 3 one hour lectures each week (Mon, Wed, Fri) and 1 all-day field trip (Thur during four of the six weeks) or 1 practical class (Thur one of the six weeks). Total contact time approximately 65 hours.

Assessment

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in BOTH the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%). In course assessment is made up of two parts, a soil description (25%) and a field notebook (25%).

Resit: 1 two-hour examination.

Formative Assessment

A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during discussions, field trips, practicals and presentations.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr A Meharg

Pre-requisites

An appropriate level 1 Chemistry course (CM 1017 or CM 1018 or CM 1511) and BI 25P2 or PL 3303, or at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

Co-requisites

None

Notes

This course runs over a six week period.

Overview

The course covers a broad range of environmental analytical problems related to the soil/plant/water system. Sample preparation procedures, sub-sampling methods and sub-sample dissolution techniques are covered as are key soil chemical processes and how they are quantified. Instrumental methods of analysis that are considered in the course 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.

Structure

6 weeks, Thread I - 3 one-hour lectures per week, 5 six hour practicals and 1 two-hour tutorials during the course. Total contact time about 50 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 100% continous assessment, made up of a project proposal (25%, maximum 2,500 words), presentation (10%), and a project report (65%, maximum 3,500 words).

Resit: Resubmission of failed coursework.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided during practicals, presentations and class discussion.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for each task. Feedback will be provided as written comments.