Ecochemistry (6915.5)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Science And Technology |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Academic Program Area - Science | Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Have an understanding of the problems associated with sampling and chemical analysis of environmental materials and have developed literature and database searching capabilities;
2. Gain an understanding of the chemical, biological and physical processes controlling the cycling of major nutrients, the sources, cycling and effects of pesticides used in Australia and knowledge of the toxicity and biogeochemical cycling of metals in the environment;
3. Develop skills in: interpreting the literature based on recognition of the significance of systematic sampling methods and the role of chemical analysis in examining environmental problems; and
4. Techniques in sampling and analysis of environmental materials; and report writing skills using scientific literature.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
Chemistry 1A.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
None.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|
Required texts
Required as core textbook for whole unit
-
Environmental Chemistry By Stanley E Manahan https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781315160474
Highly Recomended as will be used in some weeks
-
ANZG (2018) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and marine water Quality. https://www.waterquality.gov.au/guidelines
- Environmental Chemical Analysis By S. Mitra , Pradyot Patnaik , B.B. Kebbekus https://www.routledge.com/Environmental-Chemical-Analysis/Mitra-Patnaik-Kebbekus/p/book/9780849338380
- Sampling and Analysis of Environmental Chemical Pollutants 2nd Edition by E Popek https://www.elsevier.com/books/sampling-and-analysis-of-environmental-chemical-pollutants/popek/978-0-12-803202-2
- Physical and chemical hydrogeology, 2nd edition by Domenico and Schwarz. https://amazon.com/hydrogeology-2e=Patrick-Domenico/dp/0471597627
Submission of assessment items
Special assessment requirements
Final assessment will be based on successful completion of each component of this Unit.
To attain a pass grade or better in this Unit, the following criteria apply:
- attempt all assessment items; and
- achieve minimum 50% (>49.49%) aggregate or higher for the total of individual assignments; and
- achieve minimum 50% (>49.49%) or higher as an individual for the group assignment (after peer assessment adjustment see section 6c).
If the conditions for a pass are met, the grade will be awarded as follows:
- HD 85–100%
- DI 75–84%
- CR 65–74%
- P 50 – 64%
• non-attempted assessment items will be obtain 0%.
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Learner engagement
The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. To achieve top marks for this unit students should plan to need the full 150 hours of commitment, as the unit is designed with those 150 hours of commitment in mind (not less!).
The face-to-face contact time for this unit consists of eleven 2-hour lectures every week, eight tutorials and five 3-hour practicals on alternate weeks.
Thus the total formal contact time equates to 22 + 8 + 15= 45 hours during the semester.
The preparation for the Wednesday lecture will require at least 4 hours per week of self-study (12 weeks x 4 = 48 hours in total).
The remaining 57 hours should be apportioned according to the weighting for each assessment item. For example, the Report is worth 35% of the final assessment and therefore it should be expected to account for at least 0.35 x 57 = 20 hours outside of direct contact hours.
Participation requirements
Attending laboratories and field classes is compulsory. The work undertaken in the field and laboratory classes is necessary to write the team report and forms an essential part of the learning in this unit. If you know you cannot attend a lab in advance please contact the unit convenor as alternate arrangements may be possible. If you are sick or can not attend a lab for other reasons please provide documentd evidence to the unit convenor.
Required IT skills
It is expected that students have MSWord, MS Excel and R skills.
In-unit costs
There is no cost associated with the required field trip. The cost of transport to the field sites will be covered by the University of Canberra.
You will need to provide the following for the field trips:
- Lunch and a water bottle
- Field clothing: long trousers (no shorts or no leggings as snakes can bite through) and sturdy shoes.
- Spare clothing - ensure you bring something warm in case the weather is not good
- Rain coat
- Hat and sunscreen
- Notebook for recording field notes
Work placement, internships or practicums
N/A
Additional information
Research led Unit: This unit involves research-led education. There are active researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the research they are carrying out.
Provision of information to the group: Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website (Canvas forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only). Students should ensure they check their student email regularly. The discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.
Use of student email account: The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes". Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.
