Outline

Overview

The aim of the course is to introduce students to the major physical and chemical processes that control the concentration and dispersion of chemical pollutants in natural and impacted environments. The course will demonstrate how to use contaminant data effectively and how to judge the quality of chemical data. This knowledge will be used to design and to assess environmental projects, and to judge the magnitude of impact by human activity on environments and the risk posed by contaminants to ecosystem functioning. The course aims to provide present and future managers employed in environmental professions with the skills to use data with confidence and to make management decisions knowing the risks inherent in variable data quality. A field trip will be undertaken early in the semester.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Feike Dijkstra, feike.dijkstra@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Floris Van Ogtrop, floris.vanogtrop@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Thomas Bishop, thomas.bishop@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Lab participation Lab attendance (for CC students) and lab quiz (for RE students)	5%	Multiple weeks	During lab hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Presentation Oral presentation	7.5%	Week 07	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab report See Canvas	35%	Week 10	2500-3500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Peer review See Canvas	7.5%	Week 11	300-500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Writing assignment Site Assessment or Monitoring Report	35%	Week 13	2500-3500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Computer prac Short report on computer-based exercises	10%	Week 13	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Writing assignment: You will work in groups on a writing assignment. You will write an Environmental Site Assessment or Monitoring Report for a specific site.
Oral presentation and peer-review: In week 7 you will give a 10-minute long group presentation of the writing assignment you have been working on. After week 8 your first draft of the writing assignment will be distributed among other students. Each student will peer-review one writing assignment (individual review).
Lab report: During the field trip you will collect soil and water samples. These will be analysed in the weeks after the field trip.
Computer prac: In week 12 and 13 you will examine your results from the soil and water samples using computer-based exercises. You will write a short report based on these exercises.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate a flair for the subject and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. It reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and understanding of the unit material. It reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate a good command and knowledge of the unit material. It reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by your mark for your final exam and the grade descriptors for your oral presentation and lab reports. You demonstrate proficiency in the unit material. It reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Course structure, assessment, assignment and timetables	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to fieldtrip	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Eutrophication, water and soil analyses	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Investigation of contaminated sites, quality control/quality assurance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Field trip to Muttama catchment	Field trip (20 hr)
Week 05	Water analyses: dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 06	Spatial and temporal variance, normalisation procedures, background concentrations, anomalies, interferences and sample contamination	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Water pH and alkalinity, total soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Oral presentations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Soil pH, electrical conductivity, available N and P in soil	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Risk assessment, introduction to ecotoxicology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Soil moisture, texture, sodicity and cation exchange capacity	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Monitoring, biological indicators	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Pesticides	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	PAHs and phytoremediation	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Heavy metals	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Computer lab	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 13	UV and ozone	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Computer lab	Computer laboratory (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

You are required to go on the field trip and attend all laboratory classes.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Required textbook: Hanrahan, G. 2012. Key concepts in Environmental Chemistry. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. describe the major processes controlling the concentration and distribution of chemical pollutants in natural and managed environments
LO2. describe techniques for evaluating and interpreting chemical data in environmental assessment and monitoring programs and for determining pre-anthropogenic, or background concentrations
LO3. provide techniques for evaluating functioning of estuarine and terrestrial ecosystems
LO4. identify and evaluate relevant environmental information from written and spoken presentations
LO5. design sampling strategies to assess the risk of specific sites to human and environmental health
LO6. carry out sampling and analyses of air, water and soil samples
LO7. communicate assessment and monitoring results of chemical pollutants in the environment to a range of audiences.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Introduced peer-assessment for the group presentation.

Additional information

Additional costs

To cover for travel and accommodation costs, you will be asked to pay $100 for the field trip. Please check the Canvas site for detailed information on how to pay.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

ENVI5708: Introduction to Environmental Chemistry

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect