Unit information: Analytical Geochemistry in 2020/21

Unit name	Analytical Geochemistry
Unit code	EASC20038
Credit points	10
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2C (weeks 13 - 18)
Unit director	Dr. Hendy
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	EASC10001 Geology 1 EASC10002 Environmental Geoscience 1 EASC10007 Computing for Earth Scientists EASC10008 Introduction to Field Skills in Earth Sciences
Co-requisites	EASC20041 Numerical Methods and Programming
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will cover the chemical analysis of gas, sediment and water samples using instrumental and wet-chemical methods.

Lectures will cover electronic structures and spectroscopy, electrochemistry, chromatography, solution chemistry, statistics and data analysis. Practicals will cover sample collection and preparation, analysis using ICP-OES, colorimetry, volumetric and electrochemical methods.

The unit is taught over 5 weeks, with assessed assignments being completed and submitted in the following three weeks.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Develop skills in appropriate sample collection, field measurements and analytical laboratory methods.
• Understand the physical principles behind analytical methods and be able to choose an appropriate analytical method for a particular problem.
• Understand precision, accuracy and detection limits of analytical methods.
• Be able to do calculations to convert between different chemical quantities.
• Be able to explore analytical results graphically and statistically using Matlab and practice scientific conventions of reporting

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through a combination of

• asynchronous online materials and, if subsequently possible, synchronous face-to-face lectures
• synchronous office hours
• asynchronous directed individual formative activities and exercises
• guided, structured reading
• practical work in the laboratory

Students who either begin or continue their studies in an online mode may be required to complete practical work, or alternative activities in person, either during the academic year 2020/21 or subsequently, in order to meet the intended learning outcomes for the unit, prepare them for subsequent units or to satisfy accreditation requirements.

Assessment Information

Coursework 100%

Coursework will comprise 5 practicals write-ups

Reading and References

Recommended

• Skoog,D.A. (1985) Principles of Instrumental Analysis .
• Radojevic, Miroslav & Bashkin, Vladimir N., (2006) Practical Environmental Analysis (Hardcover)