CHEM 315

CHEM 315
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Catalog Entry

CHEM 315. Environmental Chemistry
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisite: CHEM 111 or CHEM 115 or CHEM 120.

This course will cover environmental issues and their intersection with chemistry, specifically the chemistry of the air, water, and soil. The chemical topics covered in this course will be applied to: (1) atmospheric chemistry and air pollution; (2) climate change and energy; (3) water chemistry and water pollution; (4) toxic organic compounds; and (5) soils and sediments.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

1. Atmospheric chemistry and air pollution
   1. Photochemical smog
   2. Particulates
   3. Toxic organics
   4. Emission controls, catalytic converters
   5. Ozone layer
   6. Chlorofluorocarbons
   7. Montreal Protocol
2. Climate change
   1. Radiation balance
   2. Greenhouse gases
   3. Mechanism of infrared energy absorption
   4. Climate modeling
3. Energy
   1. Origin of fossil fuels
   2. Human energy consumption
   3. Comparison of fuels
   4. Petroleum refinery processes
   5. Renewable energy
   6. Alternative energy
4. Water chemistry and water pollution
   1. pH of unpolluted rain and oceans
   2. Sources, natural and anthropogenic
   3. Environmental effects
   4. Neutralization and watershed buffering
   5. Liming and scrubbing
   6. Municipal waste
   7. Ocean acidification and warming
   8. Water purification
5. Toxic compounds
   1. Inorganic pollutants
   2. Organic pollutants
6. Soil and sediment
   1. Sources, natural and anthropogenic
   2. Environmental effects
   3. Municipal waste
   4. Pollution remediation

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course will be primarily lecture in format. The course does not have a laboratory component, but there will be field trip(s) to a landfill, a wastewater treatment facility, and/or local industries. Although there will be some mathematical problem solving, the course will not be as problem-intensive as general chemistry. Most of the student's time will be used in reading the textbook and articles selected from newspapers and periodicals. Time will be devoted to the discussion of articles. A typical test will involve mathematical problems, short-answer questions, and questions which require the discussion of a particular environmental issue. There will also be a project that require students to communicate science to different audiences.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

1. Understand chemicals and their effects on the environment;
2. Express connections between chemical cycles and human activity;
3. Understand government policies and their effects on the environment;
4. Develop written and oral science communication skills.

 

Assessment Measures

Assessment will be based upon assignments such as weekly reading questions and discussions, homework assignments, unit projects, and exams.

 

Other Course Information

None

 

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
September 2001 Reviewed by Walter S. Jaronski, Chair

March 18, 2025