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GEOL3041: ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY

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Type	Open
Level	3
Credits	20
Availability	Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Earth Sciences

Prerequisites

GEOL1111 Environmental Earth Science OR GEOL2101 Fieldwork (Environmental) OR A-level Chemistry at Grade B or above.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None.

Aims

To understand the origin, transport, reactions, effects, and fates of the most important natural and anthropogenic chemical species on Earth.

Content

Chemistry basics relevant to environmental systems.
Global biogeochemical cycles.
Critical Zone science.
River hydrochemistry.
Soil chemistry.
Isotope tracers in environmental geochemistry.
Introduction to pollution and remediation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

To explain the processes controlling the chemical composition of the Earth surface environment.
To apply biogeochemical principles to range of common environmental questions in natural and anthropogenic systems.
To develop thinking on methods for tackling and remediation of environmental problems.

Subject-specific Skills:

Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.

Key Skills:

Critical analysis
Research capability
Basic statistical and uncertainty analysis
Scholarship
Practical competency
Independent learning
Numeracy
IT skills
Information skills
Literacy
Time management
Continuing personal development
Environmental awareness

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

The module is delivered through flexible three-hour sessions, each comprising a mix of lecture and practical hands-on exercises, plus site visits and project work supported by handouts, directed reading and web-based assignments.
The practicals form an important component of the module allowing "hands on" learning and experience.
Guidance on preparation, key and exam skills are provided.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total	Monitored
Lectures	20	Weekly	1 Hour	20	Yes
Practicals				40	Yes
Preparation and Reading				140
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 60%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Two-hour unseen written examination		100

Component: Continual Assessment		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Practical report 1		50
Practical report 2		50

Formative Assessment

Example exam questions based on practical exercises.

More information

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