Texas A&M University-Texarkana CHEM 405: Environmental Chemistry 2015 Spring Semester Wednesday 6:15 p.m. 9:45 p.m.

Transcription

1 Texas A&M University-Texarkana CHEM 405: Environmental Chemistry 2015 Spring Semester Wednesday 6:15 p.m. 9:45 p.m. I. Course Number: CHEM 405 II. Instructor Course Syllabus Dr. Yi Su Office: Room SCIT 318C, Science and Technology Building, Main Campus Tel: (903) Office Hours: M.W 4:30-5:30PM; T.R. 2:30-3:30PM III. Course Description Environmental Chemistry (CHEM 405) is an application of chemical principles to the study of the environment. It includes natural processes and pollution problems related to air, water, and soil. Prerequisites: CHEM 1311, CHEM 1312 passed with grade C or better. IV. Required Textbooks/Resources ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY by C. Baird, et al., (4 th Edition), W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 2009.ISBN-13: , ISBN-10: The following is a list of textbooks that are not required but contain useful information related to this course. These textbooks may be consulted for supplemental background information or for more in-depth discussions of topics covered in the course. SOLUTIONS MANUAL TO ACCOMPANY BAIRD ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY (4 th Edition), W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, 2009.ISBN-13: , ISBN-10:

2 General Chemistry THE CHEMISTRY COMPANION by A. C. Fischer-Cripps, CRC Press, New York, ISBN-13: Global Climates and Biomes, Environmental Systems, Environmental Science, Ecosystem Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Population and Community Ecology, Human Populations, Earth s Resources, Water Resources, and Agriculture ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOUNDATIONS AND APPLICATIONS by A. Friedland, R. Relyea and D.Courard-Hauri, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, ISBN-13: , ISBN-10: Sustainability and Green Chemistry INTRODUCTION TO GREEN CHEMISTRY by A. S. Matlack (2 nd Edition),CRC Press, New York, ISBN-13:

3 V. Student Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to: Course Objectives Demonstrate a solid foundation of the literacy as it relates to environmental chemistry; Demonstrate knowledge of the design and use of field instrumentation, computer models, data analysis and laboratory procedures for environmental chemistry, research and applications; Explain the theoretical basis and observational methods for study of contaminants and interactions with the land surface, biota and climate change; Formulate ideas and evaluate results through written, numerical, graphical, spoken, and computer-based forms of communication. Student Performance Indicators Presentation,,class discussions, assigned projects Operation of instrumentation and analysis of data in laboratory, field, and assigned projects Descriptive and numerical solutions to exam questions Student opinions on course content Numerical solutions to exam questions Lectures and other instructional activities prepared by the student Assessment Method Instructor and student evaluations Supervisor and instructor evaluations Exam grades Exam grades Instructor and student evaluations VI. Course Outline Environmental Chemistry covers the following major topics and subtopics: 1. Introduction to Environmental Chemistry; 2. Stratospheric Chemistry: The Ozone Layer and The Ozone Holes, The Chemistry of Ground-Level Air Pollution, The Environmental and Health Consequences of Polluted Air Outdoors and Indoors, The Detailed Chemistry of the Atmosphere; 3. The Greenhouse Effect, Fossil-Fuel Energy, CO 2 Emissions, climate change, Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels, and the Hydrogen Economy; 4. Dioxins, Furans, PCBs, Radioactivity, Radon, Nuclear Energy, Water Chemistry and Water Pollution; 5. Toxic Heavy Metals, Wastes, Soils, and Sediments. VII. Course Evaluation and Grading Two lecture exams each worth 200 points will be given during the semester, a comprehensive final exam of 300 points will be given at the end of the classes. The exam questions will primarily be of multiple-choice, true-false, short answer/essay, and 3

4 algorithmic types. The rubric below will be utilized in the grading of essay questions. There may also be unannounced quizzes, presentations, laboratories, assignments, class projects, journals, and take-home exams. Each student s final grade will be based on the following: Assignments, projects and presentations Two Midterm Tests Final Exam Total Grading Scale % A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D 0-59% F 200 pts 2x200 pts 300 pts 900 pts Make-up exams Each student is required to take all examinations. Make-up examinations will be given only if the student has an excused or authorized absence. Students must contact the instructor no later than one week after the missed exam, or after return to campus, to indicate why they were absent and to request to take a make-up. It is the responsibility of the student to inquire as to the procedure for making up an exam. A grade of zero (0) will be recorded if the make-up is not taken in a timely manner. There are no make-ups on pop-quizzes, other class assignments. Essay Grading Rubric Criteria Points The answer demonstrates little or no grasp of the topic. The response: (1) may 0 - <6 significantly misstate facts or misinterpret them; (2) may fail to completely justify the choice of factors; (3) may be a string of generalizations without specifics or specifics without generalizations; (4) has structure and mechanics which may cause the reader significant difficulty. The answer demonstrates only limited understanding or a partial 6 misunderstanding of the topic. The response: (1) may use unimportant factors or may explain important factors or their significance with little coherence or specificity; (2) may make a number of serious factual errors; (3) has structure and mechanics which sometime impede the reader's understanding. The answer demonstrates an acceptable but commonplace understanding of the 7 topic. The response: (1) presents important factors but explains them with only the most obvious specifics; (2) delineates only the most obvious implications; (3) has structure and mechanics which may cause the reader minor distractions. The answer demonstrates an accurate grasp of the topic. The response: (1) 8 4

5 presents important factors and explains them with appropriate specifics; (2) shows less detailed knowledge and less synthesis than the A response; (3) has structure and mechanics which usually serve content. The answer shows a superior understanding of the topic. The written response: (1) presents factors of central significance and explains them with substantial factual detail; (2) clearly shows how these factors operate; (3) has structure and mechanics which serve content VIII. Assistance Each student is encouraged to contact the professor for assistance with any class related problem. IX. Academic Integrity Academic honesty is expected of students enrolled in this course. Cheating on examinations, unauthorized collaboration, falsification of research data, plagiarism, and undocumented use of materials from any source constitute academic dishonesty and may be grounds for a grade of F in the course and/or disciplinary actions. For additional information, see the university policy manual. X. Lecture Rules a. Participation Policy: You are expected to attend all lecture classes. Class attendance is very important since many of the exam questions will be drawn from the class lectures, demonstrations, and discussions. Taking good class notes is essential. Reading the chapter prior to coming to class is also recommended. You are expected to participate in all team project exercises. b. Course Etiquette: You are expected to be courteous towards the instructor and your classmates. You are expected to be on time for lecture. Cell phones should be turned off during lecture. You should not talk to your classmates while the instructor is talking or while one of your classmates is asking a question. XI. Methods of Instruction Lecture Demonstration and simulation Class discussion/projects Outside assignments A-V Media/Internet Blackboard Laboratory work XII. Lecture Schedule Note: The following schedule is subject to modifications at any time during the semester. The lecture sequence may change and topics may end sooner or later than noted. The exact date of each of the three lecture exams will be announced not later 5

6 than one week before the exam. See Blackboard Calendar for current lecture and exam schedule. Week 1 Chapter 0 Introduction to Environmental Chemistry Week 2 Chapter 1 Stratospheric Chemistry: The Ozone Layer Week 3 Chapter 2 The Ozone Holes Week 4 Chapter 3 The Chemistry of Ground-Level Air Pollution Week 5 Chapter 4 The Environmental and Health Consequences of Polluted Air Outdoors and Indoors Week 6 Chapter 5 The Detailed Chemistry of the Atmosphere EXAMINATION ONE Week 7 Chapter 6 The Greenhouse Effect Week 8 Chapter 7 Fossil-Fuel Energy, CO 2 Emissions, and Global Climate change Week 9 Chapter 8 Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels, and the Hydrogen Economy Week 10 Chapter 9 Radioactivity, Radon, and Nuclear Energy Week 12 Chapters13, 14 Water Chemistry and Water Pollution EXAMINATION TWO Week 13 Chapter 15 Toxic Heavy Metals Week 14 Chapter 16 Wastes, Soils, and Sediments Week 15 Other topics Remediation Technologies and sustainability COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM XIII. Disability Accommodations Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations through the A&M- Texarkana Disability Service Office by calling call XIV. Statement on Usage Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an individual will be assigned an A&M-Texarkana account. This account will be used to deliver official university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent and received via the university account and is expected to check the official A&M- Texarkana account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are required to utilize the university account when communicating about coursework. XV. Attendance Policy and Course Withdrawal Regular and punctual attendance is of paramount importance. You are expected to attend all meetings of the class, to arrive at the designated beginning time for the class, and to remain until the designated dismissal time for the class. Authorized absences are granted for students who are approved by the appropriate administrator of the University. Examples of authorized absences include class field trips, University-sponsored 6

7 workshops, musical performances, and intercollegiate sports participation. Daily quizzes, if administered, are given promptly at the beginning of class and cannot be made up and will not be given if you are not in your seat when they are handed out. The final drop/withdrawal date for the spring semester is published in the University Calendar. Please also see University catalog procedure for dropping a course. XVI. University Drop Policy To drop this course after the census date (see semester calendar), a student must complete the Drop/Withdrawal Request Form, located on the University website or obtained in the Registrar s Office. The student must submit the signed and completed form to the instructor of each course indicated on the form to be dropped for his/her signature. The signature is not an approval to drop, but rather confirmation that the student has discussed the drop/withdrawal with the faculty member. The form must be submitted to the Registrar s office for processing in person, Registrar@tamut.edu, mail (7101 University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503) or fax ( ). Drop/withdraw forms missing any of the required information will not be accepted by the Registrar s Office for processing. It is the student s responsibility to ensure that the form is completed properly before submission. If a student stops participating in class (attending and submitting assignments) but does not complete and submit the drop/withdrawal form, a final grade based on work completed as outlined in the syllabus will be assigned. XVII. Student Technical Assistance We will use Blackboard to post various course materials. The information below will help you use Blackboard effectively. Solutions to common problems and FAQ s for your web-enhanced and online courses are found at this link: If you cannot find your resolution there, you can send in a support request detailing your specific problem here: Blackboard Helpdesk contacts: Office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p Julia Allen (main contact) jallen@tamut.edu Kevin Williams (alternate) kevin.williams@tamut.edu Frank Miller (alternate) frank.miller@tamut.edu Nikki Thomson (alternate) nikki.thomson@tamut.edu XVIII. Additional Notes: The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus at any time as deemed necessary. Any modifications will be announced as soon as possible. The faculty of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is committed to the continuous improvement in the quality of instruction. Student input is important and will be obtained at the end of the course. 7