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SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

Module code: CH429
Credits: 10
Semester: Year-Long
Department: CHEMISTRY
International:

	Overview
	This module incorporates a theory and laboratory learning exploring the important areas of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry. (i) Lecture Based Component: Green Chemistry is a broad term that encompasses all areas of chemistry. This module will introduce a range of research areas associated with sustainability and green chemistry and will be structured according to a typical life-cycle of a chemical. Beginning with raw materials, you will be introduced to first-, second-, and third-generation biomass as alternatives to petroleum. The choice of biomass and its conversion to bio-based platform molecules will be compared with current production of base chemicals in the petroleum industry. In addition, elemental sustainability will be discussed, particularly of metals required for high-tech applications. Efficient processing and engineering are required to ensure high yields, low energy demand, and low waste in chemical synthesis, so modern and alternative reactor designs will be introduced. Certain chemical transformations are inherently greener than others, so reaction metrics that can measure reaction greenness will be used to compare green and not-so-green reactions. Low-toxicity chemicals are also required to ensure the safety of workers and consumers, so application and product greenness will also be discussed holistically. Greener alternatives to current persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) products and chemicals will be suggested and critiqued. Finally, at the end of its useful life, a chemical or chemical product must then be recoverable and reusable or should degrade benignly in the environment or atmosphere. The impact of anthropogenic pollutants and hazardous wastes on air and aquatic systems will be discussed via case studies to include reactions, effects, and environmental fates e.g., transport, tropospheric oxidation, sorption, and bioaccumulation. Control and management of industrial waste discharges will address recovery and disposal including landfill and thermal treatment options. (ii) Laboratory Based Component: Environmental Chemistry involves the study of Chemical Contaminants that occur in the natural environment. Students work in teams on a mini-project. Staff will provide industrially related assignments in the area of Environmental Chemistry for the groups to work on. Students attend a series of seminars on chemistry related research topics.

Overview

This module incorporates a theory and laboratory learning exploring the important areas of Sustainable and Environmental Chemistry.

(i) Lecture Based Component:
Green Chemistry is a broad term that encompasses all areas of chemistry. This module will introduce a range of research areas associated with sustainability and green chemistry and will be structured according to a typical life-cycle of a chemical.
Beginning with raw materials, you will be introduced to first-, second-, and third-generation biomass as alternatives to petroleum. The choice of biomass and its conversion to bio-based platform molecules will be compared with current production of base chemicals in the petroleum industry. In addition, elemental sustainability will be discussed, particularly of metals required for high-tech applications.
Efficient processing and engineering are required to ensure high yields, low energy demand, and low waste in chemical synthesis, so modern and alternative reactor designs will be introduced. Certain chemical transformations are inherently greener than others, so reaction metrics that can measure reaction greenness will be used to compare green and not-so-green reactions.
Low-toxicity chemicals are also required to ensure the safety of workers and consumers, so application and product greenness will also be discussed holistically. Greener alternatives to current persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) products and chemicals will be suggested and critiqued.
Finally, at the end of its useful life, a chemical or chemical product must then be recoverable and reusable or should degrade benignly in the environment or atmosphere. The impact of anthropogenic pollutants and hazardous wastes on air and aquatic systems will be discussed via case studies to include reactions, effects, and environmental fates e.g., transport, tropospheric oxidation, sorption, and bioaccumulation. Control and management of industrial waste discharges will address recovery and disposal including landfill and thermal treatment options.

(ii) Laboratory Based Component:
Environmental Chemistry involves the study of Chemical Contaminants that occur in the natural environment. Students work in teams on a mini-project. Staff will provide industrially related assignments in the area of Environmental Chemistry for the groups to work on. Students attend a series of seminars on chemistry related research topics.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Have the knowledge to suggest alternative raw materials to petroleum and scarce metals for chemical production. Compare reactions that are favourable and unfavourable for achieving the above using established metrics, such as atom economy, E-factor and reaction mass efficiency (RME). Assess chemical products for their greenness during use, with particular attention to PBT chemicals and applications. Understand pollutant transformations in aquatic and atmospheric systems and evaluate end-of-life scenarios. Develop and work on analytical techniques for the detection of environmental contaminants Write standard operating procedures (SOPs) Perform relevant calculations Work in teams and give a team presentation on the findings

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

Module Graded (numeric value) or Ungraded (Pass/Not Passed): Graded

Assessment type	Options	Weighting	Duration
Continuous Assessment		50%
University scheduled written examination	On-campus	50%	120 minutes
Other		0%
Total		100%	120 minutes

Pass standard: 40%
Could the result of this module be capped? The module mark will be capped at 35% (35% is within the compensation threshold) where a student does not achieve a pass mark in the either the laboratory practical component or the written exam assessment.
The pass standard is 40%, subject to a minimum mark of 40% in the laboratory practical class component of the continuous assessment. The module mark will be capped at 35% (35% is within the compensation threshold) where a student does not achieve a pass mark in the either the laboratory practical component or the written exam assessment. Students who obtain a capped mark because they did not achieve a pass mark in the laboratory practical class component of the [i.e. laboratory practical class mark of less than 40%] and who chose to sit the written exam in August cannot improve their module mark, which will remain capped at 35% (35% is within the compensation threshold). In cases where a student does not sit the University Scheduled Written Examination the module mark will be capped at 33% irrespective of whether or not they achieve a pass mark in the laboratory practical class component of the continuous assessment (35% is within the compensation threshold). In such cases the cap remains and cannot be removed until the student takes the written exam in a subsequent sitting.
Penalties: There is no option to repeat the continuous assessment component of the module within the same period of study.

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes There is an opportunity to re-sit the written examination within the same period of study, ie. Autumn. The continuous assessment mark is carried forward to the Autumn examination (please refer to assessment rules above). A student who does not pass a module may repeat the module or a suitable substitute module in a subsequent academic year. If a module has been modified or discontinued, a student may take an alternative module. University scheduled written examination (Autumn): 120 minutes, On-campus

Autumn Supplementals/Resits

	Pre-Requisites
	CH301C; CH304C; CH323; CH331

Timetable

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SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY

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