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CLASS: Environmental Chemistry [CHEM 4910] SEMESTER: Summer 2008 [4JUN-29JUL08] TIME: Wednesday & Thursday, 5:30–8:20 PM LOCATION: University of Central Oklahoma INSTRUCTOR: Freddie Hall, PhD PHONE: 974-5476 & 734-3114 EMAIL: freddie.hall@tinker.af.mil or fhall@ucok.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Environmental chemistry is a branch of chemistry devoted to characterization and understanding of the chemical compositions, structures, processes, and behaviors of the environment in general, the earth surface system in particular, in its natural and perturbed states, and transport, transformation, fate, and cycling of natural chemical substances as well as pollutants within and between the compartments of the earth surface system, on various spatial and temporal scales. In a broader sense with applications in mind, environmental chemistry is cross-linked to environmental toxicology, environmental geology, environmental biology, environmental remediation and waste treatment, environmental risk assessment, environmental medical sciences, and environmental social sciences.
COURSE OBJECTIVE: In this course, students will use the fundamental principles of chemistry to gain an understanding of the source, fate, and reactivity of compounds in natural and polluted environments. The course will discuss the fundamental chemical principles that govern environmental processes. This course is intended to provide the student with an understanding of the key environmental problems our world faces, by exploring the chemistry of our air, water and soil and integrating this to describe human and ecological exposures to chemicals in the environment. Emphasis is placed on role of chemicals in climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, the photochemical smog process, greenhouse effect and greenhouse gases. The following issues will be covered in the course: stratospheric chemistry¾the ozone layer; ground-level air chemistry and air pollution; greenhouse effect and global warming; energy use, CO2 emissions, and their environmental consequences; toxic organic chemicals; toxic heavy metals; chemistry of natural waters; purification of polluted water; wastes, soils and sediments; ozone formation and destruction; photochemical smog; acid rain; sewage treatment; soil structure; and use of insecticides and herbicides.
PRE-REQUISITES: General Chemistry I [CHEM 1103] & II [CHEM 1223], and Organic Chemistry I [CHEM 3303]
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