Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025
Module GEOL3041: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
Department: Earth Sciences
GEOL3041: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2024/2025 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- • GEOL1111 Environmental Earth Science OR GEOL2101 Fieldwork (Environmental) OR A-level Chemistry at Grade B or above.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To understand the origin, transport, reactions, effects, and fates of the most important natural and anthropogenic chemical species on Earth.
Content
- Chemistry basics relevant to environmental systems.
- Global biogeochemical cycles.
- Critical Zone science.
- River hydrochemistry.
- Soil chemistry.
- Isotope tracers in environmental geochemistry.
- Introduction to pollution and remediation.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- To explain the processes controlling the chemical composition of the Earth surface environment.
- To apply biogeochemical principles to range of common environmental questions in natural and anthropogenic systems.
- To develop thinking on methods for tackling and remediation of environmental problems.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
Key Skills:
- Critical analysis
- Research capability
- Basic statistical and uncertainty analysis
- Scholarship
- Practical competency
- Independent learning
- Numeracy
- IT skills
- Information skills
- Literacy
- Time management
- Continuing personal development
- Environmental awareness
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- The module is delivered through flexible three-hour sessions, each comprising a mix of lecture and practical hands-on exercises, plus site visits and project work supported by handouts, directed reading and web-based assignments.
- The practicals form an important component of the module allowing "hands on" learning and experience.
- Guidance on preparation, key and exam skills are provided.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly | 1 Hour | 20 | ■ |
| Practicals | 40 | ■ | |||
| Preparation and Reading | 140 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 60% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Two-hour unseen written examination | 100% | ||
| Component: Continual Assessment | Component Weighting: 40% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Practical report 1 | 50% | ||
| Practical report 2 | 50% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Example exam questions based on practical exercises.
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University