Curricular Unit:			Code:
Environmental Chemistry			823QAMB
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
2	Undergraduate	Environmental Engineering	5 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	65
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
Provide basic concepts in organic chemistry, and show how they may be utilized in the interpretation of environmental issues associated with organic pollutants. Provide knowledge on the chemistry of the large physical environments on Earth: the hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere. It is thus intended that students acquire base theoretical knowledge in this course, and use them to understand the problems of environmental chemistry and associated environmental contamination by organic compounds phenomena, both in terms of air pollution, water pollution and contamination soil.
Syllabus:
1. Introduction to environmental chemistry. The object of study of environmental chemistry; Environmental composition, chemical processes and anthropogenic effects. 2. Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry; Introduction to the study of chemical bonding; Functional groups and families of organic compounds. Physical properties; Basic rules of nomenclature of organic chemistry; Introduction to the study of the mechanisms of reactions of organic compounds; Reactions of the major functional groups 3. Environmental Chemistry of water, air and soil; Physical properties of water, a single substance; Sources and uses of water: the water cycle; Chemistry of aqueous systems; The atmosphere and its chemistry; Air pollution; Chemical and photochemical reactions in the atmosphere; soils; Nature and composition of soils; Acid-base reactions and ion exchange in soil; fertilizers; Waste and pollutants in soils. 4. Environmental contamination by organic compounds. Contamination by organic insecticides an
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
Chapter 1 is an introduction to the topic of environmental chemistry. Its purpose is to provide a global perspective and show the importance and the field of operation of this area of knowledge. The study developed in Chapter 2 aims to provide students with solid knowledge of the chemistry of organic compounds so that the student can understand the problems associated with this class of compounds in terms of environmental pollution (topic that will be addressed in Chapter 4). In Chapter 3 an introduction to the chemistry of the three major terrestrial physical environments is presented: Atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. This knowledge is fundamental to other curricular units of course.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The methodology of teaching and learning is expository, interrogative and demonstrative during the theoretical -practical and orientation of the study sessions, and practical during the laboratory classes. Problems, exercises and experimental work are proposed to be solved in the classroom and in study hours. The teaching of the course is complemented with periods of attendance to students outside of the classroom. EVALUATION: The model of continuous evaluation in this course comprises two components: a theoretical and practical component and a laboratory practice component. Theoretical-practical component (75% of final grade): The elements involved in the classification of this component are the following: • Written tests for individual assessment; • Papers written / proposed projects for extra-class. The final classification of the theoretical -practical component will be calculated by the following equation: Theoretical and practical component = 80% average of the tests + 20%
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The lectures are intended to convey the complex knowledge that the area of Environmental Chemistry involves and to orient the study of the student. Problem solving and laboratory work enable the self-assessment of the learner and allow it to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired seeking to develop a critical and analytical way to deal with problems from a perspective of Problem-Based Learning.
Reading:
[1] Solomons, T.W.G.; Fryhle, C.B. - Organic Chemistry - John Wiley & Sons, 8th Edition, 2004. [2] Colin Baird – Química Ambiental. Bookman, 2ª ed, 2002. [3] Manahan S. E. - Environmental Chemistry, 9 Ed. CRC Press (2009).