Unit aim
Provides an understanding of the analysis of the chemistry of aquatic systems. Key areas that will be covered include the assessment of water quality, field sampling approaches and methods for the characterisation of surface waters and groundwaters. These aspects will be examined by developing a theoretical background and the provision of examples of how theory is applied in real-world cases of assessing environmental water quality.
Unit content
General geochemistry of waters
Sampling strategies and approaches
Instrumental methods of analysis (including spectroscopy, chromatography and electrochemical methods)
Data quality and reliability
Characterisation of waters (major, minor and trace elements)
Solubility constraints
Assessing water quality
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
Learning outcomes and graduate attributes
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics and general geochemical principles of natural waters. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 2 | Describe the fundamental analytical approaches used to characterise surface water and groundwater samples. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 3 | To be able to plan and conduct sampling approaches to determine surface water and groundwater quality. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 4 | Be able to undertake water quality analyses in the laboratory using standard analytical methods | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 5 | Be able to analyse water quality data and have an understanding of the data quality and reliability. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 6 | Demonstrate an understanding of the water quality guidelines. | Intellectual rigour | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
Teaching and assessment
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
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Commencing 2014 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2
Fee paying courses
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International
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