Students

ENVS8205 – Environmental Pollution

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances, North Ryde

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Vladimir Strezov
Grant Hose
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEnv or MSc or GradDipEnv or GradCertEnv or MEnvPlan or MConsBiol or MPH or GradDipConsBiol or MPlan or MEngEnvSafetyEng or MScInnovationEnvSc or MSusDev
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENVS7205
Unit description Unit description

This unit focuses on the scientific aspects of environmental pollution. The aims of the unit are to show how a number of major pollutants are released into the environment, how they react, move and impact the environment and human health. The presentation is set in the context of the science and management of environmental pollution. The unit includes assessment and treatment of problems in air and water pollution, global atmospheric change and environmental impact assessment.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO2: demonstrate practical skills for collection and analysis of raw data in environmentally significant terms to evaluate the state of environmental quality
  • ULO1: evaluate the sources and transformation of environmental pollutants to understand and minimise their impacts on human health and ecosystems
  • ULO3: demonstrate modelling skills for environmental impact assessment of pollutant emissions to evaluate potential risks to environment and human health
  • ULO4: responsibly work in a team to collaboratively assess environmental problems of real life industrial emissions
  • ULO5: communicate environmental quality scientific data in a written format to inform management and public audiences

General Assessment Information

Assessment Criteria

Assessment at Macquarie University is standards-based, as outlined in the Assessment Policy. This means that your work will be assessed against clear criteria, and these criteria (e.g. in a rubric) will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn.

Submission of Assessments

All assessments must be submitted online through Turnitin unless otherwise indicated. Links for the submission of each assessment will be available on iLearn. 

You should always check that you have uploaded the correct file. If you have a problem, please email the Unit Convenor with your correct file. You must also keep a copy of your assessments until the end of semester in case there is a problem with your submission. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can provide a copy of your assessment if requested.

Marking of Assessments

Assignments will usually be marked through Turnitin with grades provided through Gradebook on iLearn. Please do not submit your assessments via email or in hard copy unless requested (e.g. a sketch or drawing).

We aim to return your assessment grades and feedback within two to three weeks of the date that you submitted it. We appreciate your patience and will advise you through iLearn when your marked assessments and feedback are available for viewing.

Penalties for Late Assessments

The penalty for late submission of assessments in this unit is ten percent (10 %) of the assessment value per day, calculated from the due time and date. This means that if the assignment is worth a total of 30 marks (or 30 % of the unit) you will lose 3 marks for each day it is late. This is a hefty penalty designed to make you aware of the importance of organising yourself around assessment due dates. The penalty will be applied over weekdays and weekends unless you have been granted an extension prior to the due date.

Extensions for Assessments

To obtain an extension for an assessment task, you will need to follow the formal process as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy, and you must provide appropriate supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension lies with the unit convenor. Permission for extensions must be sought before the due date unless there are exceptional circumstances. Please let us know of problems in advance or as soon as possible, not after the event. We are likely to be much more sympathetic and able to accommodate your circumstance if you follow this advice.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Quiz 1 20% No Week 6
Report 30% No Week 8
Quiz 2 20% No Week 11
Project 30% No Week 13

Quiz 1

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%

 

The quizzes will test knowledge and may be online or in-class. See iLearn for a detailed list of quizzes in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate the sources and transformation of environmental pollutants to understand and minimise their impacts on human health and ecosystems
  • demonstrate modelling skills for environmental impact assessment of pollutant emissions to evaluate potential risks to environment and human health

Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 30%

 

This assessment will consist of preparing a consulting report assessing environmental pollution data of a case study.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate practical skills for collection and analysis of raw data in environmentally significant terms to evaluate the state of environmental quality
  • evaluate the sources and transformation of environmental pollutants to understand and minimise their impacts on human health and ecosystems
  • demonstrate modelling skills for environmental impact assessment of pollutant emissions to evaluate potential risks to environment and human health
  • responsibly work in a team to collaboratively assess environmental problems of real life industrial emissions
  • communicate environmental quality scientific data in a written format to inform management and public audiences

Quiz 2

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%

 

The quizzes will test knowledge and may be online or in-class. See iLearn for a detailed list of quizzes in this unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • evaluate the sources and transformation of environmental pollutants to understand and minimise their impacts on human health and ecosystems
  • demonstrate modelling skills for environmental impact assessment of pollutant emissions to evaluate potential risks to environment and human health

Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 23 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%

 

The project will involve modeling and assessment of environmental impacts of industrial operations.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • demonstrate practical skills for collection and analysis of raw data in environmentally significant terms to evaluate the state of environmental quality
  • demonstrate modelling skills for environmental impact assessment of pollutant emissions to evaluate potential risks to environment and human health
  • responsibly work in a team to collaboratively assess environmental problems of real life industrial emissions
  • communicate environmental quality scientific data in a written format to inform management and public audiences

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Unit iLearn

This unit has an iLearn page that can be accessed through ilearn.mq.edu.au. It contains important information and other materials relating to the unit, including details and links for assessments.

Communication

The unit iLearn is the primary way that we communicate with you. Please check it regularly for announcements and posts. You are encouraged to use the Discussion Board on iLearn to post questions and generate discussion with other students. Please only email the convenor with private matters – all other questions should be posted on iLearn.

Unit Organisation

This unit is delivered in (modules/weekly topics). The organisation of these is outlined in a detailed unit schedule which is available on iLearn.

Classes

The class timetable for this unit can be found through the Timetable portal. You should also check the unit schedule as some weeks may have other instructions or locations.

Workload 

The expected workload for this 10-credit point unit is 150 hours of activity, comprising 76 hours on learning activities and 74 hours on assessment tasks.

Requirements to complete this unit satisfactorily 

To complete this unit satisfactorily, you must:

1. Participate in all scheduled classes;

2. Complete all assessments; and

3. Achieve a pass grade or higher.

The descriptions for grades common to all coursework units offered by Macquarie University are outlined in Schedule 1 of the Assessment Policy.

 

Recommended Texts and/or Materials 

There is no set text for this unit. The following lists some useful references.

A. Specialist texts

Harrison RM 1999 Understanding our Environment: An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and Pollution (3rd ed.) Royal Society of Chemistry, London.

Stoker HS & Seager SL Environmental Chemistry: Air and Water Pollution, (2nd ed).

vanLoon GW and Duffy SJ 2000 Environmental Chemistry - a global perspective.

B. Reports

Goedkoop, M. et al. ReCiPe A life cycle impact assessment method which comprises harmonised category indicators at the midpoint and the endpoint level, 2009.

State of the Environment Reports 1996, 2001, 2006 & 2011 published by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities are key resources which summarise many of the important issues which will be treated in this course, and also contains a comprehensive bibliography in many of the areas. Web site http://soe.environment.nsw.gov.au/

Simpson, S.L. et al. Handbook for Sediment Quality Assessment, CSIRO, Lucas Heights, Australia, 2005.

C. Books Boyd CE, 2000 Water Quality: An Introduction, Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Connell DW 1993 Water Pollution: Causes and Effects in Australia and New Zealand 3rd ed. Uni Qld Press, Brisbane.

Laws E.A 1993 Aquatic Pollution: An Introductory Text 2nd edition John Wiley.

Stensel D, Tchobanoglous G & Burton FL 2002 Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, Metcalf & Eddy McGraw Hill, New York.

Williams W.D. (ed.) An Ecological Basis for Water Resource Management. American Public Health Association 1995 Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (19 ed.) APHA, AWWA, WPCF, Washington.

 

Technology Used and Required

This unit will use iLearn and Echo360. See the Instructions on how to log in to iLearn and the iLearn quick guides for students which will help you:

  • Getting started - Find out how to navigate and familiarise yourself with the iLearn environment
  • Activities - Learn how to effectively complete the activities required of you in iLearn
  • Assignments and Gradebook - Find out how to submit assessments and view your grades using iLearn
  • Online study tips - Studying online is a unique experience, learn how to navigate it here
  • Discussion forums - Explore the different types, and features of discussion forums in iLearn
  • Lecture recordings - Find out how to access lectures online, as well as the features available to you.

Unit Schedule

Unit Schedule

The unit schedule and content will be discussed in detail in Week 1 of the semester and through iLearn. A combined face to face and on-line delivery will be offered in this unit.

Fieldtrips

A whole day fieldtrip is scheduled for week 6 of the semester. The fieldtrip will based on campus. Students located outside of Sydney, and/or students affected by the COVID outbreak will have access to the sampling procedures and the data to complete the assessment task associated with the fieldtrip.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook