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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Ecological Science

Undergraduate Course: Environmental Pollution (ECSC09005)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaEcological Science Other subject areaEnvironmental Courses
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course deals with major problems of pollution of the atmosphere, water, the land surface and the food chain. It covers processes responsible for the occurrence and release of pollutants in the environment, dispersion mechanisms, the hazards associated with different types of pollutant, problems of accumulation of toxic substances, and procedures for the reduction of emissions and remediation of contaminated environments.
The course includes lectures, tutorials, field trips and visits to research institutes, modelling work, essay writing, and an exercise in handling research data and writing a report.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed Soil, Water and Atmospheric Processes (ECSC08003)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 13/01/2014
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 21, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 6, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 6, External Visit Hours 9, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1, Summative Assessment Hours 2, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 151 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 50 %, Coursework 50 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)2:00
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have a broad, integrated understanding of the major problems associated with pollution of the atmosphere, water, the land surface and the food chain.
Students will be expected to be familiar with and have an understanding of:
- The causes of global warming, ozone depletion, enhanced N and S emissions and urban air pollution;
- How pollution is caused by nuclear fuel production, processing of spent fuel and disposal of radioactive wastes;
- Problems of pollution of the food chain by potentially toxic elements and persistent organic pollutions;
- The difference between persistent and biodegradable pesticides and how pesticides residues may be quantified;
- Procedures and prospects for reducing unwanted emissions to the environment and remediation of already polluted systems
Students will learn how to draw on a range of sources to assist making judgements and will be aware of a selection of the principal and specialised skills employed in this field. They will learn how to use, interpret and evaluate numerical and graphical data relevant to environmental pollution.
Assessment Information
In course assessment (one essay plus a second assignment with a quantitative component, and one final degree exam
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list The following book will be the key course reference book:
- M.K. Hill. Understanding Environmental Pollution. Cambridge University Press, 3rd Edition, 2010.

Other recommended books that cover particular elements of the course are:
- C. Baird and M. Cann. Environmental Chemistry. W.H. Freeman, 4th Edition, 2008.

- M.Z. Jacobson. Atmospheric Pollution, History, Science and Regulation. Cambridge University Press, 2002.

- J. Houghton. Global Warming, the Complete Briefing. Cambridge University Press, 3rd Edition, 2004.

A book covering relevant basic chemical concepts:
- C.V.A. Duke and C.D. Williams, Chemistry for Environmental and Earth Sciences. Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Please see the course handbook for further information on recommended reading for each section of the course.
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsECSC09005 EP
Contacts
Course organiserDr Margaret Graham
Tel: (0131 6)50 4767
Email: Margaret.Graham@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Meredith Corey
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: meredith.corey@ed.ac.uk
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