School of Science and Technology

Course Syllabus

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:
- the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
- the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
- the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:
- gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
- stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
- communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Knowledge and Understanding
After completed studies, the student shall have
- knowledge of methods for contaminated site history description including photo interpretation and digital imaging,
- understanding and knowledge of the environmental forensic investigation process including sample handling, measurements and quality assurance and quality control,
- knowledge of statistical methods for multivariate data sets including principal component analysis,
- basic knowledge of source appointment models and chemical fingerprinting methods,
- knowledge of stable isotope environmental forensic applications, and
- basic knowledge of transport models for chemical contamination.

Competence and Skills
After completed studies, the student shall be able to
- independently plan and carry out an environmental forensic investigation,
- be able to validate environmental forensic cases,
- use statistical methods and models to trace and identify the source of contamination,
- show skills in data processing and interpretation of results, and quality assurance and quality control in forensic investigations, and
- show proficiency in written and oral communication of environmental forensic cases.

Judgment and Approach
After completed studies, the student shall be able to
- plan, execute and report chemical environmental forensic investigations, and
- validate environmental forensic investigations.

The course gives a theoretical background to environmental forensics, including site documentation, chemical analysis QA/QC, source identification, advanced statistics, chemical fingerprinting and transport modelling.

The laboratory experiments combines the use of chemical analysis together with advanced statistical methods (principal component analysis) and models for source identification, spatial or temporal distribution.

In addition to the above topics case studies are included where students are planning everything from the design of a environmental forensic investigation to the final reporting of results. The case studies are planned in close collaboration with industry and government agencies and other organizations. Reporting will be before experts in the field and the general public.
Here the following questions will be answered;
- Who caused the contamination?
- When did the contamination occur? How did the contamination occur? (For example, was it an accidental spill or a series of routine operating releases?)
- How extensive is the contamination?
- Are the test results valid? Is there evidence of fraud?
- What levels of contamination have people been exposed to?
- Can environmental forensics assist in allocating remediation costs?

Teaching consists of lectures, seminars, case studies and laboratory experiments.

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 grade is translated into the ECTS grading scale.

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

60 credits in Chemistry, including Analytical Chemistry.

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).

Language of Instruction
The course is given in English if there are non-Swedish-speaking students registrated.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Additional Reading

Laborationshandledningar och annat kopierat material tillkommer.

See this Course Syllabus as PDF