Course overview
This course will provide students with an understanding of the sources, chemistry and impacts of environmental pollution and the major considerations involved with planning and undertaking environmental monitoring. Topics include: Introduction to key pollution concepts; Introduction to toxicity and ecotoxicology principles; Detailed information on major classes of environmental pollution, including emerging contaminants; The science of monitoring for environmental quality assessment; Introduction to environmental legislation and risk assessment perspectives; Intensive practical experience with environmental sampling, processing and instrumental analysis methods for a range of environmental systems and contaminants.
Course learning outcomes
- Explain key concepts relating to pollution and apply these to specific contaminants
- Explain the chemistry (i.e. reactions, structures or associations) of major types of contaminants, including their sources and adverse effects on organisms, structures or environmental services
- Apply the science of environmental monitoring to design a comprehensive monitoring and reporting program to investigate specific pollution of an environmental system, and present this program in detail
- Demonstrate competence in the collection, processing and analysis of environmental samples, then summarise and interpret the results appropriately in a written report