CH3EC2: Chemistry in the Natural World

Module code: CH3EC2

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Michael Piperakis, email: m.m.piperakis@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Chris Smith, email: c.d.smith@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( TAKE CH2IN1 AND TAKE CH2OR1 ) AND ( TAKE CH2PH1 OR TAKE CH2PRAX ) (Compulsory)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE CH2ENNU (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will develop your knowledge of chemical processes in the natural world and increase your awareness of some contemporary environmental issues. Key chemical reactions in the environment (atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere) will be studied. You will examine the source, transport, and effect of pollutants on the environment and in living systems, as well as relevant mitigation measures. Furthermore, the importance of metals in living systems and in society will be discussed. This module will provide a valuable insight into the role of chemistry in nature and in society. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Recognise the importance of certain key chemical processes in Nature.
2. Critically analyse and evaluate the source, nature and effect that pollutants have on the environment and living systems; highlighting and assessing topics of current importance to environmental chemistry. 
3. Examine, critically discuss and communicate possible approaches towards pollutant mitigation/remediation.  
4. Describe and evaluate the importance of metals in living systems and in society.

Module content

An introduction to the chemistry of the environment with discussion of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere; detailing the main pollutants, their transportation and transformation in air, water and soil. The role of metals in society will be introduced, including the commercial and environmental relevance of rare earths and actinides. Examples of bioinorganic chemistry in living systems will also be investigated. Local pollutants will be collected, analysed and evaluated as part of a practical class utilising appropriate techniques and instrumentation. Finally, a series of case-study seminars will be used as a starting point for an investigation into environmental chemistry of current importance. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures will deliver learning content. A practical session and relevant workshops will reinforce previous learning. A series of seminars will offer introductory case studies to help guide the preparation of the final summative assessment. In addition, a problem-based tutorial exercise, covering all topics in the course, will be issued during the second half of the semester. This tutorial will be summative.

Study hours

At least 41 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

The workshops and practical session will provide opportunities to practice, explain and review the taught section, in order to prepare for the tutorial exercise assessment as well as the second assessment (conference style poster).  

The case study seminar sessions will help instigate the preparation of the poster assessment. A separate scheduled formative workshop (drop-in session) will be used to provide students with feedforward on their poster assessment.   

Reassessment

Additional costs