MODULE TITLE

Earth and Environmental Chemistry

CREDIT VALUE

15

MODULE CODE

CSM1031

MODULE CONVENER

Dr Christopher Bryan (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM

DURATION: WEEKS

15

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)

63

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

A general knowledge in chemistry is a prerequisite for undergraduates in Renewable Energy and Geology courses. In this module you will develop an
understanding of fundamental chemistry, how it is related to your course and explore broad questions such as: What is the atom theory? What are the intra- and
inter- molecular forces? How to predict the direction and rate of a chemical reaction? How does chemistry relate to heat and electricity? You will have an
opportunity to discover the chemistry behind the cutting edge renewable energy and environmental technologies.

AIMS - intentions of the module

To provide you with a background knowledge in chemistry and its application, and help you to appreciate its significance to earth and energy sciences. By taking
this module, you will be able to study higher level modules on the topic.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 understand inorganic, organic and physical chemistry;
2 undertake chemical calculations;
3 comprehend the chemistry of the oceans and ground-and-surface waters, the atmosphere, hydrocarbons and relevant renewable energies, radioactivity and
nuclear processes, pollution of water resources and soils, chemical aspects of sustainability, sampling and analysis of rocks, soils, waters and gases.
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 research an aspect of chemistry relevant to their degree programme;
5 grasp the principles of laboratory safety (Risk Assessment & COSHH regulations).
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6 with some guidance, communicate ideas effectively by written means;
7 with some guidance, develop the skills for independent study.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
- nuclear and electronic structure of the atom;
- mass spectroscopy;
- relationship of chemical elements using periodic classification, and its link with chemical and physical properties;
- bonding (ionic, covalent, dative-covalent, metallic and hydrogen) and bond strengths;
- physical, chemical and mechanical properties of elements and compounds;
- isotopes, nuclear reactions and radioactivity: application of nuclear energy/power; nuclear waste, (part of the Devil you know outlook);
- chemical reactions;
- quantitative implications of chemical equations;
- COSHH and risk assessment procedures;
- reaction kinetics;
- influence of concentration, temperature and the presence of catalysts on reaction rates;
- chemical equilibrium and equilibrium rates and constant;
- Le Chateliers principle;
- exothermic and endothermic reactions;
- calculation of heat of reaction from bond energies;
- ionic equilibrium - acids, bases, dissociation constants, strength of acids, concept of pH and means of measurement - instruments and electrodes.
- titrations for analysis of solutions.
- acid-base neutralisation indicators
- electrochemistry - ionic concept of electrolytes, conductance comparison between metals and electrolytes (solutions and fused salts);
- electrode potentials and the electrochemical series;
- the Nernst equation;
- commercial electro-winning of metals;
- commercial processes re. batteries;
- Faradays laws of electrolysis;
- basic organic chemistry with particular reference to hydrocarbons, biofuels and fermentation;
- water resource geochemistry - pH/Eh, redox, element transport, role of ligands, chemistry of the oceans and surface and ground waters, water resources and
pollution;
- atmospheric chemistry and climate change composition of the atmosphere, carbon cycle, effects of greenhouse gases, natural variations, evidence for
anthropogenic climate change;
- chemical aspects of renewable energies - fuel cells, geothermal heat, biomass burning and fermentation;
- analytical chemistry laboratory safety, concepts of accuracy and precision, sampling methods and strategies for rocks, soils, waters and gases, available
analytical methods for different analytes and media, quality control measures, data reporting.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities

36.00

Guided Independent Study

114.00

Placement / Study Abroad

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
Guided independent study

Hours of study time

24
12
114

Description
Lectures
Tutorials
Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment
Not applicable

Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)

ILOs Assessed

Feedback Method

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework

30

Written Exams

70

Practical Exams

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

% of Credit

Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)

ILOs Assessed

Online exam
Coursework report

10
20

1 hour
1250-1500 words

1-5, 7
1-6

Examination

70

2 hour

1-5, 7

Feedback Method
Online
Marking sheet and report notes
Tutor meeting

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment
Summative assessment
Examination

Form of Re-assessment
Assessment
Examination

ILOs Re-assessed

Time Scale for Re-reassessment

All
All

Completed over summer with a deadline in August

August Ref/Def period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
As above 1 piece of CW 30% and/or 1 Exam 70%

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Required reading
Chemistry for Environmental and Earth Sciences ISBN-10: 0849339340

ELE College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Reading list for this module:
Type Author

Title

Edition Publisher

Set

Harrison, R.M., de Mora, S.J.

Introductory chemistry for the environmental

sciences

Set

Duke, C.V.A. and Williams, C.D.

Chemistry for Environmental and Earth Sciences

Set
Set
Set

Lewis, M. and Waller, G.

Lewis, R. and Evans, W.
Peet, J.H.H
Steedman, W., Snadden, R.B. &
Anderson, I.H
Tennent, R.M.,
Gill, R.
Gill, R.

Thinking chemistry
Chemistry
Fundamentals of Chemistry

Set
Set
Set
Set

2nd

GCSE

Chemistry for Engineering and Applied Sciences 2nd

Science Data Book. Oliver and Boyd
Chemical fundamentals of geology
Modern analytical geo-chemistry
ECTS VALUE

Year ISBN

Cambridge University
Press

1996

CRC Press

2008

Search
[Library]

ISBN-10:
08493393

[Library]

Oxford University Press 1999

Macmillan Foundation 1997
Longman
1978

[Library]
[Library]
[Library]

Pergamon Press

1980

[Library]

Chapman and Hall

Longman

1990
1996
1997

[Library]
[Library]
[Library]

CREDIT VALUE

15

7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES

None

CO-REQUISITE MODULES

None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)

AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING

No

ORIGIN DATE

Thursday 23 January 2014

LAST REVISION DATE

Friday 14 November 2014

KEY WORDS SEARCH

Chemistry; enviromental; earth sciences.