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Unit of Study CHEM2001 - Environmental Chemistry (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    There will be a 2-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://www.scu.edu.au/timetables for further information.

Unit description

Introduces the major physical, chemical and biological processes that control the concentration and dispersion of chemical elements in natural and impacted environments. Knowledge of these processes, the factors that control them, and the interactions between sediment/soil/rock, water, biota and the atmosphere are essential for scientifically sound environmental management and for distinguishing between natural conditions and human impacts. Introduces many of our environmental problems that are chemically based, but whose solution involves knowledge of geochemistry, biology, and engineering. Demonstrates how knowledge of natural processes and products can be applied in solutions to environmental problems.

Unit content

1. The chemistry of natural waters        

2. Behaviour of clays and colloids         

3. From the field to the laboratory -sample collection and integrity     

4. Organic compounds -behaviour and analyses           

5. Inorganic compounds -behaviour and analyses         

6. Atmospheric chemistry

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

characterise the major processes controlling the concentration, distribution, and fate of chemical elements and species in natural environments

synthesise, evaluate and apply concepts of biomagnification, bioaccumulation, toxicology, biotolerance, bioremediation and green chemistry

collect, evaluate and interpret field data for environmental assessment and monitoring

synthesise scientific information into written and spoken presentations for diverse audiences.

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
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Prescribed Resources/Equipment
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Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.