ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Texas A&M University-Texarkana

CHEM 405: Environmental Chemistry

2015 Spring Semester

Wednesday 6:15 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.

Course Syllabus

I. Course Number: CHEM 405

II. Instructor

Dr. Yi Su

Office: Room SCIT 318C, Science and Technology Building, Main Campus

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (903) 334-6673

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

Edition), W. H. Freeman

and Company, New York, 2009.ISBN-13: 9781429201469, ISBN-10: 1429201460.

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

Edition), W. H. Freeman and Company, New

York, 2009.ISBN-13: 9781429210058, ISBN-10: 1429210052.

General Chemistry

THE CHEMISTRY COMPANION by A. C. Fischer-Cripps, CRC

Press, New York, 2012. ISBN-13: 9781439830888.

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, 2012. ISBN-13:

9781429240291, ISBN-10: 0429240296.

Sustainability and Green Chemistry

INTRODUCTION TO GREEN CHEMISTRY by A. S. Matlack (2

Edition),CRC Press, New York, 2012. ISBN-13: 9781420078114.

V. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will be able to:

Course Objectives

Student Performance

Indicators

Assessment

Method

Demonstrate a solid foundation of the

literacy as it relates to environmental

chemistry;

Presentation, ,class

discussions, assigned

projects

Instructor and

student

evaluations

Demonstrate knowledge of the design

and use of field instrumentation,

computer models, data analysis and

laboratory procedures for environmental

chemistry, research and applications;

Operation of

instrumentation and

analysis of data in

laboratory, field, and

assigned projects

Supervisor and

instructor

evaluations

Explain the theoretical basis and

observational methods for study of

contaminants and interactions with the

land surface, biota and climate change;

 Descriptive and

numerical solutions to

exam questions

 Student opinions on

course content

Exam grades

Formulate ideas and evaluate results

through written, numerical, graphical,

spoken, and computer-based forms of

communication.

 Numerical solutions to

exam questions

 Lectures and other

instructional activities

prepared by the student

 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

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

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 200 pts

Two Midterm Tests 2x200 pts

Final Exam 300 pts

Total 900 pts

Grading Scale

90-100% A

80-89% B

70-79% C

60-69% D

0-59% F

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

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.

0 - <6

The answer demonstrates only limited understanding or a partial

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

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)

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.

9 – 10

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

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

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 903-223-3062.

XIV. Statement on E-Mail Usage

Upon application to Texas A&M University-Texarkana an individual will be assigned an

A&M-Texarkana email account. This email account will be used to deliver official

university correspondence. Each individual is responsible for information sent and

received via the university email account and is expected to check the official A&M-

Texarkana email account on a frequent and consistent basis. Faculty and students are

required to utilize the university email 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

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

http://tamut.edu/Registrar/droppingwithdrawing-from-classes.html) 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, email [email protected], mail (7101

University Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503) or fax (903-223-3140). 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:

http://www.tamut.edu/webcourses/index.php?pageid=37

 If you cannot find your resolution there, you can send in a support request detailing

your specific problem here: http://www.tamut.edu/webcourses/gethelp2.php

 Blackboard Helpdesk contacts:

Office hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00a to 5:00p

Julia Allen (main contact) 903-223-3154 [email protected]

Kevin Williams (alternate) 903-223-1356 [email protected]

Frank Miller (alternate) 903-223-3156 [email protected]

Nikki Thomson (alternate) 903-223-3083 [email protected]

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.