6 EC
Semester 1, period 1
5254ENCH6Y
This course describes the behaviour and fate of natural and man-made chemicals in water, soil and air and the organisms present therein. Topics include transport and distribution processes, and physico/biochemical reactions of compounds in environment(al conditions); environmental soil chemistry; bioavailability, bioaccumulation, metabolism, and degradation of chemicals; biomonitoring, prediction and fate modelling in environmental compartments; biogeochemical cycles, structure property/activity relationships.
The course Environmental Chemistry will consist of classes, workshops, a computer practical and an exam. Tutors are Dr. Steven Droge, Dr. John Parsons and Prof. Dr. Pim de Voogt. The computer practical will introduce students in modeling the fate of chemicals in the environment using modeling software. 1 or 2 Workshops will be dedicated to exercises typical of questions posed during the exam.
Schwarzenbach et al., 'Environmental Organic Chemistry', 3rd Ed., 2017 John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-76723-8
Understanding processes that chemicals undergo in the environment. Being able to calculate distribution and partitioning of chemicals to environmental compartments. Identifying the major distribution and transformation processes.
Classes, practicals, demonstrations.
|
Activity |
Hours |
|
|
Computerpracticum |
4 |
|
|
Hoorcollege |
26 |
|
|
Tentamen |
3 |
|
|
Vragenuur |
2 |
|
|
Self study |
133 |
|
|
Total |
168 |
(6 EC x 28 uur) |
The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
1 (100%) Tentamen |
The final mark of the course is based solely on the results of the written exam. The exam will take place on Thursday Oct 26, 2017, 09:00-12:00, in the JWS building (James Wattstraat 78), room 2. A resit will be held on Jan 10, 2017, 15:00-18:00h in room G0.05, Science Park. The exam usually consists of 7 or 8 questions. For each question a maximum of 10 points can be obtained. The final mark is the total sum divided by the number of questions. During the exams, use of notes, books, cell phones, etcetera is not allowed. Calculators (but not those in cell phones) will be allowed. The exam will evaluate your knowledge of contents presented during classes (and posted on blackboard) and workshops/practicals, designated sections from the course book and your skills in calculating mass balances for chemicals in the environment based on compound properties. Examples of previous exams with answers will be made available.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Weeks | Subjects mondayclass | Subjects thursdayclass |
| 36 | Introduction to Environmental Chemistry | Environmental partitioning/Volatilization |
| 37 | Sorption | Environmental Fate Modelling |
| 38 | Emerging contaminants | Biotransformation/QSAR |
| 39 | Computer practical | Bioaccumulation |
| 40 | Working group exercises | Bioavailability |
| 41 | Biodegradation | Working group exercises |
| 42 | Long range transport | Abiotic degradation |
| 43 | Working group exercises/Questions | Exam |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.