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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

CHE00073 - Environmental Chemistry

Unit aim

Provides an understanding of the analysis of the chemistry of aquatic systems. Key areas that will be covered include the assessment of water quality, field sampling approaches and methods for the characterisation of surface waters and groundwaters. These aspects will be examined by developing a theoretical background and the provision of examples of how theory is applied in real-world cases of assessing environmental water quality.

Unit content

General geochemistry of waters
Sampling strategies and approaches
Instrumental methods of analysis (including spectroscopy, chromatography and electrochemical methods)
Data quality and reliability
Characterisation of waters (major, minor and trace elements)
Solubility constraints
Assessing water quality

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: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and general geochemical principles of natural waters. Intellectual rigour Knowledge of a discipline
2 Describe the fundamental analytical approaches used to characterise surface water and groundwater samples. Intellectual rigour Knowledge of a discipline
3 To be able to plan and conduct sampling approaches to determine surface water and groundwater quality. Intellectual rigour Knowledge of a discipline
4 Be able to undertake water quality analyses in the laboratory using standard analytical methods Intellectual rigour Knowledge of a discipline
5 Be able to analyse water quality data and have an understanding of the data quality and reliability. Intellectual rigour Knowledge of a discipline
6 Demonstrate an understanding of the water quality guidelines. Intellectual rigour Knowledge of a discipline

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

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and general geochemical principles of natural waters.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. Describe the fundamental analytical approaches used to characterise surface water and groundwater samples.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. To be able to plan and conduct sampling approaches to determine surface water and groundwater quality.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. Be able to undertake water quality analyses in the laboratory using standard analytical methods
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. Be able to analyse water quality data and have an understanding of the data quality and reliability.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the water quality guidelines.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline