School of Science and Technology

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

After the course the student should be able to
- explain how the properties of different chemical compounds affect their distribution and transport in the environment,
- describe the main transport pathways, mechanisms, and partitioning processes of different pollutants in the environment, and
- understand the concepts of the different mechanistic transport models.

Skill and ability
After the course the student should be able to
- qualitatively and quantitatively search in-depth knowledge and evaluate and analyze historical and modern literature in order to investigate environmental problems,
- motivate the choice of different methods and models to evaluate and interpret the transport and distribution of different groups of chemical pollutants, and estimate the uncertainty of the results, and
- in written and oral form communicate results from discussions of case studies.

Assessment skills and attitude
After the course the student should be able to
- independently analyze and evaluate the transport and distribution of environmental pollutants from results in reports and scientific articles,
- systematically integrate knowledge and critically analyze and qualitatively evaluate the results from available information, and
- reflect over the base groups work and their own role within the group.

The main objective of this course is to give the students the knowledge to understand the transport and distribution of organic and inorganic substances under different environmental conditions by considering their chemical structures and properties. The significance of external processes such as type of point and diffuse sources, physical and chemical processes in soil, sediment, water and air will be studied using different cases. Theories in biogeochemistry, hydrology, atmospheric chemistry. Methodology and mechanistic modelling are introduced, as well as critical evaluation of the uncertainty of available information and modelling results.

Teaching consists of lectures, practical laboratory work, case studies, computerbased exercises and practical field work. The course uses problem based learning (PBL).

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

ECTS Grading
The course grading is translated to the ECTS grading scale.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

A first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits of which at least 90 credits are for specialised study in the main field of study chemistry or earth sciences, alternatively biology or environmental science where general and inorganic chemistry is included. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Some parts of the course may be located in a place other than the place of study and be associated with additional costs for the student. The studies require functional equipment for the practical parts .

The language of instruction is English.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Required Reading

Laboratorie- och fältinstruktioner samt annat utdelat material tillkommer/ Laboratory and field instructions and scientific articles will be handed out during the course.

See this Course Syllabus as PDF