GV1EMNU-Environmental Monitoring

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Semesters in which taught: Semester 1 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Hong Yang
Email: h.yang4@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides the knowledge and skills necessary to monitor air, water and soil quality.  The student gains experience through lectures, supporting documents, directed reading and practical classes. A series of field surveys provides the students with the necessary skills to apply their understanding of the basic concepts and methodological principles.

Aims:

To provide an introduction to the interactions in our environment, including causes of environmental change, and to develop an understanding of the methods and activities employed in monitoring environmental quality. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Understand compositions, functions and interactions of our environment


• Understand the standards for water, air and soil quality, as well as solid waste control


• Describe and explain different methods of environmental monitoring according to the specific purpose of the analysis and the environmental standard


• Analyze both results of onsite measurement data and laboratory analytical outcomes for the purpose of better environmental management

Additional outcomes:

The development of skills, for collection, transporting and storage of environmental samples for analysis.

Outline content:

Lectures include:

• Introduction to environmental monitoring


• Environmental change: definition and causes


• Environmental standards and case studies


• Environmental sampling, quality assurance and data analysis


• Contaminant-control process monitoring 


• Water and wastewater monitoring


• Air pollution monitoring


• Soil and solid waste quality monitoring


• Biological pollution monitoring


• Noise monitoring


• Monitoring of environmental radioactivity


• Long-term monitoring in ecosystems

Laboratory training and experiments include:

• Lab safety


• Sampling procedures,


• Chemical and biological analysis; e.g. COD, BOD, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved solids, Winkler method.


• Physical analysis: Particulate matter (PM10), total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen.


• Analyzing, recording and reporting environmental data

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module includes a combination of lectures, seminars (including group work and presentations), laboratory- and field-based learning.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures	59
Seminars	10
Project Supervision	6
Demonstration	3
Practicals classes and workshops	9
Fieldwork	9
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	5
Wider reading (directed)	10
Exam revision/preparation	5
Peer assisted learning	10
Advance preparation for classes	10
Preparation for presentations	10
Preparation for seminars	5
Preparation of practical report	10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	5
Revision and preparation	5
Group study tasks	5
Reflection	24
Total hours by term	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Report	25
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One written report based on laboratory work (2000 words), one oral presentation.

Formative assessment methods:

During the module, the students are given quizzes comprising short and multiple choice questions. These are used to analyse and feed-forward topic by topic, and assist in the preparation of summative assessments.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in July

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022