EVB302 Environmental Pollution
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | EVB302 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | BVB202 or MZB126 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,680 |
| International unit fee | $5,244 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EVB302 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | BVB202 or MZB126 |
| Coordinator: | Peter Grace | pr.grace@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit deals with major problems of pollution of water, the land surface and the atmosphere. It covers processes responsible for the occurrence and release of pollutants in the environment, dispersion mechanisms, the hazards associated with different types of pollutant, accumulation of toxic substances, and procedures for the reduction of emissions and remediation of contaminated environments. It applies your learning from the Experimental Design and Quantitative Methods unit, BVB202 to assess and report on environmental pollution.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain the terminology, concepts and techniques used for the safe investigation and analysis of environmental pollutants in field and laboratory settings.
- Analyse and explain contaminant/pollutant classes, processes and properties, as well as potential environmental impact and risk assessment practices.
- Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of physicochemical monitoring protocols, associated sampling, applying standards, measurement techniques and evaluate scientific integrity of these programs.
- Conduct collaborative research including retrieval, analysis and evaluation of information and data, interpret, synthesize and report on issues relating to environmental pollution problems.
Content
Introduction to soil, water and air pollutants: Investigation and monitoring of contaminants and transport mechanisms.
Chemistry of different classes of pollutants including: oxygen-demanding substances, nutrients and toxic substances. Indicators of water, soil and air quality. Sources of nutrients and other pollutants, limiting nutrients. Human impact on biogeochemical cycles. Hazardous substances in the environment and their chemistry.
Definition & purposes of monitoring, basic principles of physicochemical monitoring including: sampling strategies, quality assurance, sampling equipment, sample collection, preservation, integrity, protocols, and documentation.
Common laboratory procedures in environmental chemistry and connection between individual measurements & the wider environment. Interpretation of laboratory analytical data
Control and remediation: Site selection to minimise contamination. Introduction to engineering techniques of pollution control.
Learning Approaches
This unit utilises face-to-face interactive lectures, a series of tutorials, and field and laboratory-based exercises to develop your knowledge of environmental pollution issues. These may be face to face or online – further information will be provided on Canvas.
Lectures provide the scientific background for a series of tutorials. These activities will also equip you with the background required to conduct field and laboratory studies.
You will develop your analytical and problem-solving skills while working independently and within teams. Problem based learning and peer learning is encouraged within tutorials, field and laboratory sessions and blended learning activities.
Laboratory and field exercises will be used to develop your practical skills in data collection and recording, analysis, synthesis and communication.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will include the following mechanisms:
formative oral feedback and class discussion (to help you assess how your work is progressing), written comments on case study and project work
collaborative setting and review of assessment criteria with peers for the written case study
Attendance and active participation in the tutorial and practical components will enable deeper understandings of the lecture material.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment for this unit includes an individual case study, a group project report based on field and lab work and a midsemester test to assess your understanding of material covered in lectures, tutorials and practicals.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
You will collect and analyse field data on pollution levels in specific locations, examine underlying processes and synthesise a written report discussing environmental impacts.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions
Assessment: Case Study
You will develop a comprehensive pollutant assessment report and management strategies. Includes laboratory data collection, analysis and discussion.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions
Assessment: Written Theory Exam
Written Theory Exam covering material presented both in lectures, tutorials and practicals.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There are no set texts for this unit. However use of specified course materials database through the library is strongly encouraged. Suggested reference books are listed.
Resource Materials
Reference book(s)
Manahan Stanley E (2009) Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry, 3rd edition, CRC Press/Taylor and Francis.
Zhang, Carl (2007) Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis, John Wiley & Sons.
Risk Assessment Statement
The unit consists of classroom-based lectures, tutorials and practicals, all of which are extremely low risk activities. Students are provided with a health and safety manual detailing health, safety and emergency procedures associated with laboratory and field activities. Students are required to read, understand and put into practice all safety guidelines.