ESC-10095 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module will provide you with the fundamental knowledge of the core concepts of chemical processes that act within and upon our environment. Employing an engaging teaching approach of interactive lectures combined with indoor and outdoor practicals as well as tutorial sessions, it will examine in detail the chemistry and chemical processes of our atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and soil zone. It will provide you with a detailed insight and understanding of the major naturally occurring chemical cycles that not only surround us, but drive and maintain the global ecosystem (e.g. phosphorus-, nitrogen-, carbon- and water cycles) and introduce you to a wide array of state-of-the-art analytical methods such as Fourier-Transform IR spectroscopy, secondary electron and backscatter electron analysis, energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy.

This module will provide you with the fundamental knowledge of the core concepts of chemical processes that act within and upon our environment. Employing an engaging teaching approach of interactive lectures combined with indoor and outdoor practicals as well as tutorial sessions, it will examine in detail the chemistry and chemical processes of our atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and soil zone. It will provide you with a detailed insight and understanding of the major natural chemical cycles (e.g. phosphorus-, nitrogen-, carbon- and water cycle) that not only surround us, but drive and maintain the global ecosystem.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe and discuss the major chemical processes acting within and upon Earth's [1] atmosphere, [2] hydrosphere, [3] lithosphere, and [4] soil zone: 2
Analyse, interpret and present data obtained via various analytical methods (e.g. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier-Transform-IR spectroscopy (FTIR), secondary- and backscatter electron analysis (SE-BSE), energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX)): 1
Report the purpose, methodology, data, results and interpretations of environmental chemical analyses by using the appropriate chemical vocabulary/terminology, chemical symbols and chemical information: 1

Study hours

Active Learning Hours: 12 x 1h lectures; 12 x 3h practicals and tutorial sessions
Independent Study Hours: 102h (recommended are 12h on background reading/online teaching materials and 90h for the preparation, drafting and writing of the laboratory reports).

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment