Module: Environmental Chemistry Laboratories

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Environmental Chemistry Laboratories
Module Code	ENS1000 (ITS: CS258)
Faculty	Chemical Sciences	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

The purpose of this module is to 1. appreciate the importance and challenges of water analysis. 2. appreciate the weaknesses in analytical approaches 3. To learn the analytical approaches used to study of water. 4. To apply theoretical knowledge in a field setting. 5. To develop record keeping and report writing skills. 6. To develop inter-personal and communication skills.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design sampling strategies that include proper storage and treatment of samples.
2. Use on-site analytical techniques.
3. Use modern techniques for the assessment of water quality.
4. To experience the demands of working in groups.
5. To be competent in report writing and presentation/interpretation of scientific data.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	75	No Description
Independent Study	50	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10252	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Brian Kelleher	Module Teacher	Blanaid White

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Report on river chemistry and quality	100%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Syllabus
Experiment 1. Acidity and alkalinity of drinking water Experiment 2. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (edta) titration of ca2+ and mg2+ in natural waters Experiment 3. Determination of nitrate in water by uv spectrophotometry Experiment 4. Determination of phosphate in water by visible spectrophotometry Experiment 5. Determination of sulphate in mineral waters by turbidimetry Experiment 6. Determination of metal cation levels in river water and/or soil/sediment samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

G. Schwedt, Wiley: 2001, Indicative Reading List:Essential: Supplementary: The Essential Guide to Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, I Williams. Wiley 2001. Chemistry of the Environment, T. Spiro, W. M. Stigliani. PrenticeHall 1996. Basic Concepts of Environmental ,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None