Environmental Forensics, 15 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and Understanding
After completed studies, the student shall be able to

• give examples of methods for contaminated site history description,
• understand and explain environmental forensic investigation process including sample handling, measurements and quality assurance and quality control,
• describe statistical methods for data processing using multivariate analysis including principal component analysis,
• describe source appointment models and chemical fingerprinting methods,
• explain how stable isotopes can be used for source identification in environmental forensics, and
• give examples of transport models for distribution of contaminants in the environment.

Competence and Skills
After completing the course the student should be able to

• independently plan and carry out an environmental forensic investigation,
• use statistical methods and models to trace and identify the source of contamination,
• show skills in data processing and interpretation of results, and quality assurance and quality control in forensic investigations, and
• show proficiency in written and oral communication of environmental forensic cases.

Judgment and Approach
After completion of the course the student will be able

• validate environmental forensic investigations.

Main content of the course

The course gives a theoretical background to environmental forensics, including site documentation, chemical analysis QA/QC, source identification, advanced statistics, chemical fingerprinting and transport modelling. The laboratory experiments combine the use of chemical analysis together with advanced statistical methods (principal component analysis) and models for source identification, spatial or temporal distribution.In addition to the above topics case studies are included where students are planning everything from the design of an environmental forensic investigation to the final reporting of results.

Teaching methods

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, case studies and laboratory experiments.

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

Theory, 7.5 credits (Code: A001)
Written exam.

Laboratory Work, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Seminars and laboratory work presented in writing and in some cases orally.

Project/ Case Studies, 5 credits (Code: A003)
Oral and written presentation.

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).

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

Laboratory Work
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Project/ 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 module on the course as well as Pass (G) on the laboratory work and project/case studies. The final course grade is based on the result of the theoretical part.

Specific entry requirements

45 Credits in Chemistry, including Analytical Chemistry. Additionally another 15 Credits in Chemistry or Biology.

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

Language of Instruction
The course is given in English if there are non-Swedish-speaking students registrated.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

-

Additional Reading

O'Sullivan, Gwen & Sandau, Court (2013)
Environmental Forensics for Persistent Organic Pollutants
Elsevier, 424 pages

Petrisor, Ioana Gloria (2014)
Environmental Forensics Fundamentals: A practical guide
CRC Press Inc, 445 pages

Additions and Comments on the Reading List
Laboratory instructions and other copied materialsl will be provided.