Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Chemistry Level 11 (U01217)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : CHE-4-AtmHyd11

A lecture course that describes and quantifies chemical processes occurring naturally in Earth's atmosphere and surface waters (rivers, lakes, oceans), and the role of humankind in perturbing these processes on historic, contemporary and future timescales. The course comprises individual lecture courses on: Atmospheric Chemistry, Aquatic Chemistry, and Environmental Change. Either the Level 10 or Level 11 version of this course (as specified in the degree programme tables) is a compulsory requirement for Year 4/5 students on degrees in Chemistry with Environmental Chemistry, but can be taken by Year 4/5 students on any Chemistry degree programme.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Chemistry 3A (CHE-3-A) and Chemistry 3B (CHE-3-B) and Chemistry 3P Practical and Transferable Skills (CHE-3-Pract) at a weighted average at or above Grade C at the first attempt (including Chemistry 3A (CHE-3-A) and Chemistry 3B (CHE-3-B) at a weighted average at or above Grade D), and Mathematics qualifications of at least 20 credits to level Applicable Mathematics 1 and Mathematical Methods 1; or with the permission of Head of School.

? Prohibited combinations : Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Chemistry Level 10 (CHE-4-AtmHyd10).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Chemistry, (School of Chemistry, Schedule L)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
09/01/2007	12:10	13:00	Lecture Theatre 100, Joseph Black Building	KB

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	12:10	13:00	KB
Lecture	Wednesday	12:10	13:00	KB
Lecture	Friday	12:10	13:00	KB

? Additional Class Information : 30 hours lectures + 6 hours tutorials, at times arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course students will be able to:
- describe the evolution of Earth's atmosphere in comparison with other selected planetary bodies
- account qualitatively, and quantitatively, for the physical and chemical structure and processes in Earth's atmosphere and to apply this knowledge to rationalise issues of current atmospheric concern (for example stratospheric ozone depletion and urban air pollution)
- explain the chemical processes affecting the distribution and cycling of chemical compounds in natural waters
- demonstrate the theoretical basis for environmental change (for example acidification, eutrophication) in relation to the master variables pH and pE
- understand the chemical concepts underpinning current geochemical speciation codes used to model chemical distribution and processes in aquatic systems
- describe and explain environmental isotopic fractionation and to demonstrate the usefulness of environmental isotopic records
- demonstrate how historical perspectives of environmental change can be established through investigation of the chemical record in materials such as tree rings, ice masses, ocean and lake sediments, and peat bogs
- explain the workings of biogeochemical cycles and their influence upon environmental change
Learning outcomes specific to attainment of a pass at Level 11 include:
- ability to integrate all, or most, of the main areas of the course
- development of original and creative responses to problems and issues within the course
- application of critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to issues at the forefront of the subject area