The Transport of Pollutants in Soil, Water and Air, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

Knowledge and comprehension
After the course the student should be able to

• explain how the properties of different chemical compounds affect their distribution and transport in the environment, and
• describe the main transport pathways, mechanisms, and partitioning processes of different pollutants in the environment.

Skill and ability
After the course the student should be able to

• qualitatively and quantitatively search in-depth knowledge and evaluate and analyze historical and modern literature in order to investigate environmental problems,
• motivate the choice of different methods and models to evaluate and interpret the transport and distribution of different groups of chemical pollutants, and estimate the uncertainty of the results, and
• in written and oral form communicate results from discussions of case studies.

Assessment skills and attitude
After the course the student should be able to

• independently analyze and evaluate the transport and distribution of environmental pollutants from results in reports and scientific articles,
• systematically integrate knowledge and critically analyze and qualitatively evaluate the results from available information, and
• reflect over group work, their own role within the group, and their own learning process.

Main content of the course

The main objective of this course is to give the students the knowledge to understand the transport and distribution of organic and inorganic substances under different environmental conditions by considering their chemical structures and properties. The significance of external processes such as type of point and diffuse sources, physical and chemical processes in soil, sediment, water and air will be studied using different cases. Theories in biogeochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric chemistry will be included. Methodology and mechanistic modelling are introduced, as well as critical evaluation of the uncertainty of available information and modelling results.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of lectures, practical laboratory work, case studies, computerbased exercises and practical field work. The course uses problem based learning (PBL).

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Theoretical Part, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written examination.

Practical Part, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Seminars and laboratory work reported in groups, in writing and some times orally as well.

Project Work/ Case Studies, 5 credits (Code: A003)
Oral and written reporting individually or in groups (decided by the Course Coordinator). Active participation at base group meetings.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Absence from Mandatory Course Component
If a student is absent from a mandatory course component, the examiner determines if the student will be able to make up for the component during another scheduled class of the same kind. Otherwise, the student is referred to the next time the course is offered. As an exception the examiner may decide on substitute assignments. These shall then be carried out before or shortly after the end of the course.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Theoretical Part
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Practical Part
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Project Work/ Case Studies
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E is required for the theoretical part on the course as well as Pass (G) on the practical part as well as the projectwork/case studies. The final course grade is based on the result of the theoretical part.

Specific entry requirements

A first-cycle qualification comprising at least 90 credits in natural science with 60 credits for specialised study in the main field of study chemistry or earth sciences, alternatively biology or environmental science including general and inorganic chemistry. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

Some parts of the course may be located in a place other than the place of study and be associated with additional costs for the student. The studies require functional equipment for the practical parts .

The language of instruction is English.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Hemond, Harold F. & Fechner, Elizabeth J. (2014, 3rd Edition)
Chemical Fate and Transport in the Environment
Cambridge: Academic Press Inc., 476 sidor

Additions and Comments on the Reading List
Laboratory and field instructions and scientific articles will be handed out during the course.