CQUniversity Unit Profile
CHEM19085 Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Chemistry
All details in this unit profile for CHEM19085 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit examines • air pollution: ozone depletion, sulfur oxides, photochemical smog and greenhouse effects; • water pollution; • inorganic and organic pollutants, surfactants and detergents; • hazardous wastes: classification, treatment, disposal; • pollution monitoring: sampling procedures, analytical methods and modelling techniques. You will be presented with the ecological and health effects of chemical pollution and these will be discussed. Renewable energy and energy utilisation is investigated. If you are a Distance education student, you will be required to attend a residential school for this unit.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisites: CHEM11044 Chemical Reactions OR permission from Head of Course

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2025

Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 20%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Reflective practice

Feedback

Students often lack sufficient numeracy skills to understand some of the content or apply theory in a quantified manner.

Recommendation

A conversation about equipping students with mathematical skills should be undertaken at Course level to address the deficiency.

Feedback from Reflective practice

Feedback

Recent environmental concerns are not covered in the Unit.

Recommendation

More recent environmental concerns (e.g. emerging contaminants, microplastics, PFAS/PFOS/PFOA) should also be included in the content.

Feedback from Unit feedback

Feedback

The textbook has been unavailable at times.

Recommendation

A conversation with the Bookshop has begun to identify and address any issues regarding the procurement of the textbook for future offerings.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Understand the chemical principles relating to the chemistry of the different spheres of the environment: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere
  2. Use laboratory skills to make reliable analytical measurements to assess the quality of water, air, soil and food sources
  3. Be familiar with the important environment regulating authority and environmental guidelines
  4. Use research skills to obtain information relating to environmental chemical concepts, environmental issues and current approaches to solve these.

None

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50%
3 - Online Test - 20%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 50%
3 - Online Test - 20%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Environmental Chemistry

Edition: 5 (2012)
Authors: Colin Baird and Michael Cann
ISBN: 9781464162879
Binding: Hardcover

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • MS Office
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Joel Johnson Unit Coordinator
j.johnson2@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

It Must be In The Water: Acid-base Chemistry of Natural Waters

Chapter

3

10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Water: Redox Chemistry of Natural Waters

Chapter

10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Oxygen - Supply, Demand & Role in Water

Chapter

11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Oxygen Demand and Water Pollution

Chapter

10

11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Air: Stratospheric Chemistry; Ozone Hole

Chapter

1

2

17

Events and Submissions/Topic

Written Assessment Due: Week 5 Friday (11 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

No teaching - res school

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Air: Oxygen Chemistry and the Stratosphere

Chapter

1 - 2

17

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 May 2025

Module/Topic

Air: The Mechanism of Greenhouse Gas Action

Chapter

3 - 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 12 May 2025

Module/Topic

Air: Let There be Clean Air

Chapter

3 - 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical and Written Assessment Due: Week 9 Friday (16 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 10 Begin Date: 19 May 2025

Module/Topic

Energy & Climate Change: Greenhouse Effect, Fossil-fuel Energy, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Global Warming, Ecological and Human Health: Toxic Organic Compounds

Chapter

5 - 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 26 May 2025

Module/Topic

Energy & Climate Change: Renewable Energy, Alternative Fuels and the Hydrogen Economy

Chapter

5 - 8 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Pollution: Toxic Heavy Metals and Metalloids

Chapter

12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Test Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (9 June 2025) 11:00 am AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

Assessment 1 comprises of a mix of numerical and descriptive problems, as well as requiring you to undertake brief research on an environmental issue in Australia. 

The Assessment Task requires some research (i.e. you need to consult references outside of the textbook, including peer reviewed scientific literature such as journals). It is important to start on the Assessment Task as early as possible. Remember to always cite your sources throughout your report.

Further detail will be provided on Moodle. 

Please refer to the Generative AI Permission document available on the Moodle site for guidelines on the acceptable and unacceptable use of generative AI in this unit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (11 Apr 2025) 11:59 pm AEST

To be submitted via Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Week 7 Friday (2 May 2025)

Returned with feedback via Moodle.


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Problem-solving

You will be marked on completeness and correctness of answers. 

Writing Task

  • Clear flow and suitability for a general audience 
  • Reliability/credibility of information/data 
  • Sound reasoning based on scientific evidence/principles in letter with good integration of information
  • Correctly cited references 
  • Word count met 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit via Moodle as a word document.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Be familiar with the important environment regulating authority and environmental guidelines
  • Use research skills to obtain information relating to environmental chemical concepts, environmental issues and current approaches to solve these.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical and Written Assessment

Task Description

Assessment 2 relates to the compulsory Residential School. The Residential School includes a field trip. You will work in pairs preparing samples and when conducting your experimental work. For this assessment, you will write up an individual scientific report of the experiments and activities undertaken during the Residential School.

While work at residential school will be conducted in pairs, your report must be your own work and is not to be completed as a team. 

Please refer to the Generative AI Permission document available on the Moodle site for guidelines on the acceptable and unacceptable use of generative AI in this unit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (16 May 2025) 11:59 pm AEST

To be submitted via Moodle.


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (30 May 2025)

Returned with feedback via Moodle.


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Report Structure

Title, Aim and Introduction to practical exercise should explain the importance of the study taken and the justification of the scientific methods used.  The scientific literature (e.g., include relevant chemical equations and background information) must be cited: 25 marks

Outline of procedure (exact and with sufficient detail and clarity to be reproduced in another laboratory, and in your own words rather than reproduced from the Laboratory Manual): 15 marks

Data organisation (tabulated, graphed for clarity): 15 marks

Data verification (accuracy and precision estimation): 15 marks

Comparison of data with other similar work, calculations etc.: 15 marks

Overall presentation of report, citations and referencing: 15 marks


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Individual reports to be submitted via Moodle as a word document.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Understand the chemical principles relating to the chemistry of the different spheres of the environment: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere
  • Use laboratory skills to make reliable analytical measurements to assess the quality of water, air, soil and food sources
  • Be familiar with the important environment regulating authority and environmental guidelines
  • Use research skills to obtain information relating to environmental chemical concepts, environmental issues and current approaches to solve these.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence
  • Ethical practice

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

The Online Test will be an assortment of problem-solving and extended-answer questions. The mark allocations per question will be provided on the Assessment with each question.

The Online Test will be available for a 24 hour period. You must open the test within the 24 hour period and attempt it. Once opened, you will have 3 hours to answer the questions. You will only be able to access the test once within the 24 hour period. Please ensure that you have given yourself 3 hours to attempt all the questions and upload your answers and that you have Internet connectivity for the duration of the test.

Please refer to the Generative AI Permission document available on the Moodle site for guidelines on the acceptable and unacceptable use of generative AI in this unit.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (9 June 2025) 11:00 am AEST

The online test will open on Sunday 9 June at 11:00 am AEST, and will close 24 hours later. Once you open the quiz, you will have 3 hours to complete.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Each question will have the allocated marks stated. You will be marked on completeness and correctness of answers. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
To be submitted by the due date and time.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Understand the chemical principles relating to the chemistry of the different spheres of the environment: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?