Environmental Chemistry, 15 Credits

Contents

The course deals with the chemical structure and function, sources and emissions, distribution, transformation and fate in the environment of organic and inorganic substances, as well as their health and environmental effects. Critical environmental chemical processes in biota, soil, sediment, water and air are studied. The course also introduces risk assessment with relevant methodologies, processes and legislation including REACH. During the course, research-oriented excellence lectures will be given focusing on various disciplines in the subject of environmental chemistry. The course ends with an independent case study.

Expected learning outcomes

After the course the student should be able to:

• explain and discuss the general principles for legislation on chemicals, focusing on the European chemicals legislation REACH
• identify, compare, and discuss relevant emission pathways in the emission scenarios that involve the release of chemicals to different parts of the environment
• create emission scenarios based on given information
• motivate the difference between diffuse and point sources, and categorize sources thereafter
• explain the transport, accumulation and transformation processes of organic and inorganic substances in humans, animals and the environment, based on their chemical properties
• explain the risks of chemicals in human exposure, and identify and motivate the need and choice of exposure measurements
• explain different methods for measuring the toxic effects including data models, simple cell models and animal experiments
• analyze risk assessment processes and the input data included in an environmental as well as human risk assessment
• independently, orally and in writing, explain and critically discuss complex environmental chemistry principles, problems and research results which fall within the content of the course

Required Knowledge

For admission to the course 60 credits in Chemistry, and English A/5, or equivalent is required.

Form of instruction

The teaching is primarily web-based and focused on student active learning, especially problem-based learning (PBL). The PBL work is done individually and in group meetings. Besides the group meetings, the teaching is conducted through lectures, research presentations and a final individual case study. The case study is presented orally and in writing. The group meetings are given on campus but students can also participate in these at distance. Three joint full days in Umeå occurs during the course. The group meetings and the joint meetings in Umeå are compulsory parts of the course.

Examination modes

The examination will be based on a written exam and an oral and written presentation of the case study. The grade is a summarized assessment of the results of the different parts of the examination. The grade is only given after all compulsory parts are completed. A three-point grading scale with Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG) is applied. A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course, is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons against it (HF Chap. 6 § 22). Requests for new examiner should be made to the Head of the Department of Chemistry.