Water Pollution

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles
• Applying knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Collecting and integrating several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses
• Recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct
• Analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Planning, conducting, and reporting on environmental investigations, including the use of secondary data
• Referencing work in an appropriate manner

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Using the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information
• Identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles
• Evaluating performance as an individual and a team member
• Communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms
• Developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work
• Solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer-based techniques
• Recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members
• Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g. working independently, time management and organisation skills)
• Identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development
• Preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages including geographic information systems
• Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory
• Receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, verbal, graphical)

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing environmental science information with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use
• The need for both a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of Earth systems, drawing, as appropriate, from the natural and the social sciences
• The terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in environmental science
• The contribution of environmental science to debate on environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed concern about the Earth and its people
• The processes which shape the natural world at different temporal and spatial scales and their influence on and by human activities
• The contribution of environmental science to the development of knowledge of the world we live in

The module comprises a course of lectures, seminars and workshops that provide a scientific understanding of pollution in the environment by examination and evaluation of contemporary pollution issues. A broad range of topics is covered, including:

• Conceptual frameworks for environmental pollution incidents – definitions and classification.
• Sources and transport of pollutants.
• Principles of pollution assessment, representative sampling, sample storage and treatment, and sampling procedures.
• Fresh and marine water pollutants
• Consequences of sewage pollution: treatment, disposal and impacts
• Nutrients and eutrophication.
• Oil pollution in the marine environment.
• Biological pollutants.
• Plastics as pollutants.
• Metals as pollutants.
• Summary and conclusions, revision and feedback

The module emphasises the origins, environmental pathways and consequences of anthropogenic pollutants. Some sessions of the lecture programme are intended to complement other lecture material by illustrating topics of interest and providing additional context. Workshops and seminars will allow topics to be explored in depth via case studies as well as giving students practice at solving pollution calculations and problems.

The unit will be delivered by lecture, workshop and seminar sessions. The sessions will be delivered by the course co-ordinator and other specialist contributors from Engineering and the Environment.

Learning activities include:

• Attendance at lecture, workshop and seminar sessions.
• Self-directed learning - supplementary and complementary to lecture materials. This will include problem-solving exercises and quizzes delivered via Blackboard.
• Private study – research for and preparation of module assignment.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.