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COURSE SYLLABUS
LECTURES
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Teresa J. Bandosz
office : J-1316;  Telephone: (212) 650-6017;
 E-mail: tbandosz@scisun.sci.ccny.cuny.edu
CONSULTING HOURS: Tuesday, and Thursday: 11-12 or by
appointment.
TIME: 2 Lectures (3 hours)/ 3 credit hours: Tuesday, Thursday
5:00- 6:15 PM
TEXT BOOK: Environmental Chemistry; S.E. Manahan,
7th edition, 1999
This
is an online hybrid course. It
requires Internet access. We will meet on selected Tuesdays or Thursdays ( see
the syllabus) to discuss the
assignments. You have to submit the assignment during the week when it is
posted. Your assignment will be graded. You are expected to follow the lecture
schedule yourself. The lecture notes are included in the Course Documents. Two
midterm exams and final examination are scheduled to be taken in at CCNY.
Wherever
you have access to the Internet, you can get to CUNY portal at http://www.cuny.edu
and then log-in using your username and password ( as a registered student you
should have one). If you do not have username and password you have to
register following the instructions.
When
you get access to your site follow the link to the
Blackboard and Environmental Chemistry course A1100 for Fall 2004.
We'll
be using this site to learn new information and to respond to each other's
questions, thoughts, and insights. Please click every button on the left side of
this page (beginning with the one labeled Course Information). Each button has
folders attached to it. Each folder has at least one document in it. Many of the
documents will not appear on the screen until you click the blue underlined
hyperlink. Please read every document in every folder that is attached to the
Course Information, Staff Information, Course Documents, and Assignments
buttons.
I
hope you enjoy using this internet page to learn and to share your responses.
TEXT
BOOK: Environmental Chemistry; S.E. Manahan, 7th edition, 1999
WEBSITE:
http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/~tbandosz
Blackboard
site access via: http://www.cuny.edu
PREREQUISITES:
General Chemistry: 104.1 and 103.1 (103, 104, 108)
Organic Chemistry: 261
Analytical Chemistry: 243
GENERAL OBJECTIVE: Environmental Chemistry is
intended to broaden the students understanding of chemical processes taking
place in our environment. The relationship between atmospheric, soil and water
chemistry will be underlined. This course draws upon general, analytical and
organic chemistry experience.
LEARNING GOALS:
Students should:
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Know the relationship between all spheres of the
environment |
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Know the major pollutants in all spheres, their
origin and fate |
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Be aware of the environmental effects of pollution |
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Know the cycles of environmentally significant
elements |
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Be aware of the effects of pollution on humans |
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Link technology, resources and energy |
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Know how to identify and how to treat hazardous
wastes |
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Know what analytical techniques are used to study
the pollution of the environment. |
CONCEPTUAL THINKING OBJECTIVES:
| Reading: cause-effect logic, hypothesis testing, summarizing
logic |
| Writing:
cause-effect links, objective designing, experiment
planing |
| Data analysis:
relevant data sources, data treatment,
qualitative and quantitative evaluation, data consistency, error
analysis |
| Models:
cause-effect, correlation, trends |
LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
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Text reading |
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Class-time (lecture)
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Group discussion |
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Problem solving (individual) |
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Student-instructor consulting |
HOME ASSIGNMENT: The course requires extensive reading
and understanding of each chapter covered during the lecture. Students are
encouraged to solve the problems and find answers to all theoretical questions
after each chapter.
ATTENDANCE: Students are required to attend all lectures. After 3
absences the instructor will ask the Registrar to withdraw the student form the
course with WU
TERM PAPER: In addition to lectures students are required to
prepare a term paper dealing with current environmental problems (at least 3500
words). This assignment is based on extended literature study and analysis of
the published data. At the end of the term each student is supposed to give a
short presentation summarizing his/her environmental research. Each student can
chose a topic according to his/her interests. A deadline to submit the title and
short abstract is March 17. Term paper is expected to be computer generated. It
should consist of Introduction, Results (if applied), Discussion, Conclusion and
References Cited according to the scientific format. The paper will be graded by
the instructor, however, for the grade from the presentation the grades given by
the student peers will be taken into account.
GRADING
No INCOMPLETE Grade
| Hour test (2) 30% |
| Term paper 30% |
| Presentation 10% |
| Final 30% |
To arrange a make up of an exam a note from a doctor,
etc. HAS TO be shown.
HONESTY:
In this course, students are encouraged to discuss the
problems on term papers with one another, however the submission of identical
work is plagiarism
READING LIST (suggestion):
Scientific Journals:
| Environmental Science and Technology |
| Chemical and Engineering News |
| Chemical Engineering Progress |
| Environmental Progress |
| Chemtech |
| Water Resources |
| and other relevant WEB resources |
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES
DATE CHAPTERS and High priority areas
Aug. 31
1. Environmental Science and Technology
| relationship between different spheres |
Sept.2
2. Environmental Chemistry and Chemical Cycles
| characteristics of hydrosphere |
| main components of atmosphere |
| geosphere and soil |
| importance of respiration (aerobic and anaerobic) |
| cycles of matter |
| main steps in the cycles of : |
| carbon, |
| nitrogen |
| sulfur |
| phosphorus |
Sept.7
3.1-3.7. Fundamentals of Aquatic Chemistry
| Properties of water |
| solubility of oxygen in water |
| water acidity and the role of CO2 |
| water alkalinity |
| metal ions in water and their effect on the properties of water |
| complexation |
| calculations of concentrations of [CO2], [HCO3-],
[CO32- ], [Ca2+ ], [H+] |
Sept.9
3.8-3.14. Fundamentals of Aquatic Chemistry
| formation constants and complexation |
| solubilization of lead, the mechanism |
| polyphosphates and their main reactions |
| the role of humic acid in water |
Sept.14: IN-CLASS MEETING
4. Oxidation-Reduction
| definitions of terms |
| pE and its change in a stratified body of water |
| redox reactions |
| electron activity |
| Nerst equation. dependence of pE on K |
| limitations of pE in water (pE-pH diagrams, the fundamentals of
their creation) |
Sept.21 5.
Phase Interactions
| sediments, their composition and main reactions |
| solubility of solids and gases |
| characterization of colloids |
| types of aggregation process |
| sorption on solids |
| ion exchange in sediments |
Sept.23 6.
Aquatic Microbial Biochemistry
| types of microorganisms (algaes, fungi, protozoa, bacteria) |
| the role of bacteria metabolism in the environment |
| reactions involved in bacteria metabolism |
| the general mechanism of biodegradation by bacteria |
| role of bacteria in nitrogen cycle |
Sept.28: IN-CLASS MEETING
7. Water Pollution
| types of water pollutants |
| heavy metals, metalloids |
| inorganic species |
| organic pollutants, their sources, types and environmental
repercussions |
Sept.30 8. Water Treatment
| Steps in waste water treatment |
| Similarities and differences in sewage and industrial water
treatments |
| Major chemical reactions used in water treatment: |
| Their purposes and examples |
| precipitation |
| colloid formation |
| ion exchange |
| complexation |
| oxidation-reduction |
| Physical processes applied in water treatment (removal of
organics) |
| Disinfection |
| Natural purification of water |
Oct.5 EXAMINATION 1
Oct.7
9. Atmosphere
| Characteristics of the atmosphere and its major components |
| Mechanisms of Energy Transfer |
| Effects of atmospheric mass transfer on weather |
| Temperature inversion and pollution |
| Forms of species in the atmosphere |
| Chemical reactions and their examples |
| Photochemical reactions |
| Reactions of free radicals |
| Acid-base reactions |
| Chain reactions of oxygen and nitrogen |
Oct.12 10. Particles in the Atmosphere
| Forms of particles in the atmosphere |
| Particles formation. Physical and chemical processes. |
| Particles composition. Chemical nature. |
| Effects of particles on the environment |
| Particulate emission control |
Oct.14 11. Gaseous inorganic Air pollutants
| Chemical formulas of gaseous inorganic air pollutants |
| Fate of CO. |
| Atmospheric reactions of NOx. |
| Creation of acid rain |
| Sources of gaseous air pollutants |
| Methods of pollution prevention. |
Oct.19: IN-CLASS MEETING
12. Organic Air Pollutants
| Classification of organic pollutants |
| Main reactions in the atmosphere |
| oxidation |
| reactions with radicals and radical formation |
| Examples of organic pollutants containing heteroatoms. |
| Organohalides and their effect on environment |
Oct.21
13. Photochemical Smog
| Ingredients required to generate photochemical smog |
| Role of hydrocarbons and NOx in the process of smog formation |
| chain reactions |
| Gross photochemical oxidant (main components) |
| Inorganic products from smog. |
| Catalytic conversions in automobiles |
| Effects of smog on the environment |
Oct.26: IN-CLASS MEETING
14. The endangered Global Atmosphere
| Natural and anthropogenic changes in the atmosphere |
| Mechanism of creation and effects on environment of: |
| global warming |
| acid rains |
| ozone layer depletion |
| photochemical smog |
| Actions to prevent atmospheric pollution |
Oct.28
15. The Geosphere and Chemistry
| Classification of rocks |
| Classification of minerals |
| Rock cycle |
| Clays and their role in soils |
| Water and air in soils |
| The influence of organic matter on the properties of soils |
| Chemical and physical weathering |
Nov.2
16. Soil Chemistry
| Environmental aspects of agriculture |
| Reactions in soils determining their acidity |
| Macro- and Micro- nutrients and their functions |
| Wastes and pollutants in soils and their fate |
| Soil conservation |
Nov.4 EXAMINATION 2
Nov.9
17. Technology, Resources and Energy
| Relationship between technology, resources and energy |
| Environmental impact of manufacturing |
| Environmental impact of transportation |
| Natural resources of raw materials and their importance to
manufacturing |
| Energy resources and conservation of energy |
| Environmental aspect of application of fossil fuels |
| Alternative sources of energy |
Nov.11: IN-CLASS MEETING
18. Nature and Sources of Hazardous Waste
| Classification of hazardous materials |
| Characteristics of hazardous materials |
| Origin of hazardous wastes |
| Characteristics of: |
| Flammable and combustible substances |
| reactive substances |
| corrosive substances |
| toxic substances |
Nov.16
19. Environmental Chemistry of Hazardous Waste
| Sources of hazardous wastes by the points of entry |
| Factors influencing the transport and behavior of wastes in the
environment |
| Transport, interactions and fate of hazardous wastes in |
| geosphere |
| atmosphere |
| hydrosphere |
| biosphere |
Nov.18
20. Reducing, Treating and Dispensing of Hazardous Waste
| Physical methods of waste treatment |
| Chemical methods of waste treatment. |
| Methods of waste preparation for disposal |
| Special treatment of wastes |
| Leachate treatment |
| Gas emission treatment |
| In situ treatment |
Nov.23: IN-CLASS MEETING
22. Toxicological Chemistry
| Criteria of toxicants classification. |
| Behavior of toxicants in the body. |
| Kinetic and dynamic phase of toxicants in the body |
| Responses of organisms |
| Tetratogens, mutagens, carcinogens. |
Nov.30 23.
Chemical Analysis
Dec.2
Term paper presentation/ discussion
Dec.7
Term paper presentation/ discussion
Dec.9
Term paper presentation/ discussion
FINAL-covers all material
GO BACK TO TEACHING
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by TJB. last
updated: August 5, 2004 updated
by Maria Kolesnik
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