CHMY 341 - Applied Environmental Chemistry

4 Credit(s)

During this course students will learn about the chemistry of Earth’s environment, including the natural chemical processes as well as anthropogenic contributions. The environment in this context is divided into the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and anthrosphere. Particular emphasis is given to human influences in each of these “spheres,” including the causes, effects, detection, prevention, and mitigation of pollution. Specifically, we will examine the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemical species found in air, water, and soil. This course is divided into 4 major parts that reflects the most pressing issues in Environmental Chemistry today: (1) Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution; (2) Climate Change and Energy; (3) Water Chemistry and Water Pollution; and (4) Soil Contamination by Heavy Metals/Toxic Organic Compounds from Mining/Waste Disposal. This is a field and laboratory-oriented class, with computer analysis of data using Excel and/or MATLAB. All students who take this course are expected to demonstrate a mastery of all topics through successful completion of quizzes, readings, class discussions, labs, exams, literature review, as well as the pollutant research project. Students will evaluate their own and published data according to concepts studied in the class and present their research on a specific pollutant in a poster or oral report.

Prerequisite(s): (Any GEO 100-199 or ENSC 101-194), ENST 274, GEO 210, and (CHMY 121 or CHMY 141)