Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2020-03-26
Contents
This course deals with the biogeochemical cycling of metals in the environment. This cycling is dependent on several important terrestrial, atmospheric and aquatic processes that will be covered during the course. These processes include: redox cycling; complex formation between metals and ligands; as well as sedimentation; and can take place in presence or absence of microbial activity. The course content covers: metal speciation in solution, gas and solid phases; coordination chemistry; surface chemistry including, protonation, adsorption and desorption of metal ions onto surfaces. Sustainability aspects of metal usage in society will also be discussed.
Expected learning outcomes
After completing the course, students should be able to:
explain, evaluate and predict different environmental pathways for metals in their biogeochemical cycle based on their chemical properties,
discuss sustainability of societal use of metals,
calculate and predict the outcome of environmental processes in aqueous solution using thermodynamic data,
critically examine and interpret data from computer modelling of chemical equilibria,
independently, and within given time frames, explain and critically discuss complex environmental chemistry principles, problems and research results which fall within the content of the course, both orally and in writing.
Required Knowledge
90 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are in the main area of chemistry, 15 ECTS Environmental Chemistry or the equivalent and English B/6.
Form of instruction
The course is taught using student-active teaching methods, which include self-study sessions, online lectures and compulsory examinations, project work, and tutorials.
Examination modes
The course will be examined through a compulsory report and oral presentation that will be graded both with respect to written content and oral presentation. To pass the course all examinations and compulsory tests must be passed. On the report and oral presentation the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG) will be given. On the whole course one of the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG) will be given. The grade VG on the report and oral presentation is required to obtain VG on the full course. Those who pass an examination are not permitted to retake it in order to obtain a higher grade. A student who has failed two exams for a course or part of a course, are entitled to have appointed a new examiner, unless there are special reasons against it (HF 6 kap. § 22). Requests for new examiners are made to the Head of the Department of Chemistry. Examination based on this study plan is guaranteed during two years after students first registration on the course.
Deviations from the course syllabus examination form can be made for a student who has a decision on pedagogical support due to disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the expected syllabus of the course syllabus. At the request of the student, the course responsible teacher, in consultation with the examiner, must promptly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision must then be communicated to the student.
Other regulations
Academic credit transfer is always evaluated individually (see the University rules for academic credit transfer).
In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.
