EVB206 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: | EVB206 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | BVB202 or MZB126 or MZB127 or (MZB103 and completion of 72 cp of study) |
| Equivalent(s): | EVB302 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $5,664 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EVB206 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | BVB202 or MZB126 or MZB127 or (MZB103 and completion of 72 cp of study) |
| Equivalent: | EVB302 |
| Coordinator: | Elaine Mitchell | e5.mitchell@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit deals with major sustainable development 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 for the safe investigation of environmental pollutants in field and laboratory settings.
- Discuss contaminant/pollutant classes, processes and properties, risk assessment practices and potential environmental impact.
- Evaluate the scientific integrity of physiochemical protocols, sampling, standards and measurement techniques.
- Plan and conduct a collaborative environmental pollution assessment using appropriate tools, techniques and protocols.
- Analyse, evaluate, interpret research data and make recommendations regarding environmental pollution problems.
- Report findings in written and visual formats in accordance with accepted disciplinary standards
Content
The content taught in this unit includes:
- 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
As a second-year unit this unit builds upon the foundational knowledge learned in the first year of the degree. This unit utilises 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. As well, you are expected to take responsibility for your learning and undertake some self-directed learning to uncover answers to your questions.
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.
You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning.
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 final exam 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
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
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.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with this unit.
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Report, Case Study, Written Theory Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Report, Case Study, Written Theory Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO4, Report - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO6, Report, Case Study
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Report, Case Study, Written Theory Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Report, Case Study, Written Theory Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO4, Report - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO6, Report, Case Study