Module: Environmental Monitoring & Data Analysis

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Environmental Monitoring & Data Analysis
Module Code	CS319 (ITS) / ENS1005 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Chemical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator	Margaret McCaul
Module Teachers	Kieran Nolan, Patrick O'Malley
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only

Description

Data Analysis: To introduce students to the most important and widely used statistical techniques for the evaluation of laboratory based data. The focus is to demonstrate the use of these techniques from a practical problem-solving viewpoint and to acquaint them with the interpretation of the results arising from a statistical analysis. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the assumptions on which these statistical techniques are based and how to check or validate these assumptions. Environmental monitoring: To introduce students to the core concepts in environmental monitoring, it's importance and how to carry out an effective monitoring programme. The student will learn how to design and evaluate monitoring programmes for a range of different environmental scenarios.

Learning Outcomes

1. Determine and communicate the importance and application, and essential components of an effective monitoring programme
2. validate the assumptions associated with statistical analysis.
3. Determine and communicate the importance, application and essential components of an effective monitoring programme
4. Evaluate the reliability and comparability of monitoring programmes, including monitoring frequency, data interpretation, and reporting requirements, and application of this to existing programmes
5. Describe different approaches taken to monitoring air, soil and sediments, and water quality using field and laboratory techniques, considering spot and continuous sampling
6. Select monitoring methods and sampling sites and design monitoring programmes for a range of different environmental scenarios

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Online activity	24	Pre-recorded material and other activities.
Lecture	12	Synchronous lectures/tutorials
Independent Study	89	Revising and practicing material for both parts of the module, including application of statistical methods to tutorial sheets.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Loop Exam	Online exam or assignment that will cover the students knowledge of and ability to apply a range of data analysis approaches to different problems.	50%	Week 7
Assignment	An assignment will explore different aspects of the importance, theory and application of environmental monitoring.	50%	Week 8

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

James N. Miller, Jane C. Miller: 2010, Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry, 6th Edition, Pearson, England, 9780273730422

Other Resources

None