Module: Soil & Energy Science

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Soil & Energy Science
Module Code	ENS1006 (ITS: CS421)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Chemical Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will include 3 sections - soil, waste and energy. These components will cover the following topics: Soil: This module will give investigate the chemical, physical and biological nature of soils. We will explore different functions of soil and how best to analyse soil components. Waste: " Municipal solid Waste Incineration (MSWI) - a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. The course material will cover this technology including the processes involved and the chemical emissions. " Recycling of solid plastic waste - Plastic solid waste (PSW) of polymers is creating new challenges, which in today's scenario are major concerns. This huge increase in plastic commodities increases the waste generation. This course will look at the recycling and progress in recovery and management of PSW by different methods (i.e. Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary) along with the various identification/separation techniques. Energy: " To develop an appreciation of the complexity of the energy question. " To introduce the student to the role of chemistry in the production and use of energy. " To provide the student with knowledge of the past, modern and future methods of energy production. " To provide the student with an awareness of current trends, opportunities and challenges in energy production.

Learning Outcomes

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2. o Describe the most important components of soils;
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7. Outline the principal factors governing the formation of soils;
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12. Analyse and describe the properties of soils using field and lab instrumentation
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17. Define and explain the importance of soil structure in relation to the availability of soil air and water to plant roots.
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22. o The students will understand the technology behind MSWI as a process, aswell as the waste to energy recovery technologies
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27. o The students will learn about the state of the art in terms of recycling of solid plastic waste
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32. o To be aware of the complex nature of energy production and use.
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37. o To understand the technical aspects of energy production and use
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42. o To understand the chemistry behind energy production and use
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47. o To be aware of the latest advances in energy production
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52. o To be aware of current energy related environmental issues.
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57. o To be aware of the future directions/possibilities for energy production and use
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60. 12

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	100	No Description
Total Workload: 124

Section Breakdown
CRN	20426	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	100%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Brian Kelleher	Module Teacher	Blanaid White, Kieran Nolan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	n/a	100%	End-of-Semester

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

Energy
- Introduction - basic concepts - Natural energy flows. - Human energy consumption. - Fossils fuels; - Origins, carbon cycle, coal, oil, gas. - Introduction to nuclear energy; - Radioactivity, naturally occurring isotopes, fission, fission reactors, hazards, fusion. - Introduction to renewable energy; - Solar heating, solar electricity, biomass, biofuels (agriculture, biodiesel, bioethanol), anaerobic digestion, hydro, wind, ocean and geothermal energy. - Future clean energy; e.g. hydrogen, fusion, renewables.

Soil
Soil topics covered include an introduction to soils, soil formation and soil types, soil properties, soil biology and soil chemistry. Soil texture, mineralogical and chemical composition of soil, soil structure, bulk density and pore space, aggregation promotion and stability, soil air Cation exchange capacity, percentage base saturation, soil pH, buffering capacity in soils, specific conductivity soil organisms, soil microbiology, carbon cycle, decomposition of organic matter, characteristics of organic matter,

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Michael E Essington: 2015, Soil and water chemistry: an integrative approach, 9781466573154
Bohn, Hinrich L, 1934-; McNeal, Brian Lester, 1938-; O'Connor, George A, 1944-: 0, Soil Chemistry, 9780471363392
Donald L. Sparks: 0, Environmental soil chemistry, 9780126564464
Rachel Creamer, Lilian O Sullivan: 2018, The Soils of Ireland, Springer International Publishing, 9783319711898
Robert E White: 0, Principles and Practice of Soil Science: The Soil as a Natural Resource, 978-0-632-064

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None