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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

CHE00201 - Chemistry

Unit aim

Introduces students to the analytical tools and approaches necessary to analyse the solid phases that often control the environmental chemistry. Familiarises students with modern analytical techniques that are part of environmental sampling and monitoring programs. Case studies will underpin practical exercises to facilitate an understanding of the principles and techniques studied during the unit.

Unit content

Topic 1: Approaches to analysis of environmental solids
Topic 2: Particle size and surface area
Topic 3: Surface properties: electrical, physical and chemical
Topic 4: Mineralogy and composition of solids
Topic 5: Atomic approaches to characterisation
Topic 6: Microscopic and submicroscopic characterisation
Topic 7: Stable isotope approaches
Topic 8: Fractionation of constituents within environmental samples

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.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 describe the fundamental analytical approaches used to characterise the solid constituents of environmental samples.
2 analyse the primary data to understand key physical properties of solid constituents.
3 analyse the primary data to understand key chemical properties of solid constituents.
4 analyse the primary data to understand key mineralogical properties of solid constituents.
5 determine the partitioning of constituents within multiphase environmental samples.

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

  1. describe the fundamental analytical approaches used to characterise the solid constituents of environmental samples.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. analyse the primary data to understand key physical properties of solid constituents.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  3. analyse the primary data to understand key chemical properties of solid constituents.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. analyse the primary data to understand key mineralogical properties of solid constituents.
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. determine the partitioning of constituents within multiphase environmental samples.
    • GA1:
    • GA4: