Undergraduate Course: Environmental Pollution (ECSC09005)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | Ecological Science |
Other subject area | Environmental Courses |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This 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.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Soil, Water and Atmospheric Processes (ECSC08003)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Semester 2, Available to all students (SV1)
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Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Class Delivery Information |
2 two-hour lectures per week. |
| Course Start Date |
12/01/2015 |
| 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 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| 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
Exam in May diet will cover theory and examples from lectures and discussion sessions.
Two pieces of assessed course work, equally weighted. One submitted mid-semester and the second at the end of the semester. Please note that there are no assessed attendance requirements on this course. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Weeks 1-3: Energy and Environmental Pollution
Weeks 3-5: Local Scale Atmospheric Pollution
Weeks 5-8: Global Scale Atmospheric Pollution
Weeks 8-10: Pollution of the Biosphere |
| 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 Learn page for further information on recommended reading for each section of the course. |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | ECSC09005 EP |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Margaret Graham
Tel: (0131 6)50 4767
Email: Margaret.Graham@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Meredith Corey
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: meredith.corey@ed.ac.uk |
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