Explore UCD

UCD Home >

ENVB30140

Academic Year 2024/2025

Analysis of Environmental Materials (ENVB30140)

Subject:
Environmental Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Grace Cott
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will be delivered using a blended learning approach. Lectures will be made available online and there will be a number of on-campus workshops and online discussion fora to discuss the lecture and practical material. The practicals will be delivered on-campus. The students will be presented with a case study dealing with surface water that is suspected of being polluted. They will be instructed in the composition of various environmental media, the nature of potential pollutants and guided through the selection of the media that need to be analysed to identify the contaminants, sampling locations and the appropriate chemical analyses to address the problem posed. They will then organise the collection of the relevant media (soil, water, etc.) and will be trained in their chemical analyses in the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, School of Biology & Environmental Science. The results generated will be analysed with respect to available thresholds/regulations for the various contaminants and students will write a report on the full investigation process. Assessment will be based on continuous assessment of the practical work and assignments. An online, open-book written exams will be held towards the end of the trimester.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:
- Describe the chemical composition of key environmental media such as soils, freshwater and seawater;
- Identify the need for and range of chemical analyses required for environmental investigations;
- Appreciate and demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies and instrumentation used for a range of chemical analyses;
- Describe the principle of selected analytical procedures;
- Identify and deal with sources of error in the analytical techniques;
- Undertake chemical analyses of various materials;
- Analyse chemical data with respect to thresholds and other environmental standards or regulations;
- Source information to help interpret the data;
- Write a report on the results of the chemical analysis;
- Engage in informed group discussions.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

14
Practical

13
Field Trip/External Visits

6
Online Learning

8
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; reflective learning; lab work; enquiry & problem-based learning and case-based learning

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Report(s): Campus water quality report Week 15 Graded No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Laboratory Notebook (reports) Week 11 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (Open Book): In class exam Week 12 Graded No
35
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Elizabeth Conroy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Grace Cott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Andrea Fuchs Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sean Storey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn External & School Exams Offering 7 Week(s) - 12 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Autumn Workshop Offering 7 Week(s) - 9 Mon 09:00 - 09:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.