COURSE SYLLABUS
ERTH425/SUST425/ERTH625 -- ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY
- Spring 2020
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-11:45 AM in POST 708
Visit the
Schedule page too, and the Laulima site for downloads
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course
announcement now available in pdf format.
ERTH425/SUST425 syllabus in pdf format.
ERTH625 syllabus in pdf format.
Instructor: | Ken Rubin | |
How to find me: | ||
Email: | krubin@hawaii.edu | |
Office: | POST 606E; Office hrs: up to class. | |
Phone: | x68973,x66836 (lab) |
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Course Content:
This class is about natural processes of Earth's surface and the impacts of human activities on environments. FOR students preparing for a career in the environmental and geotechnical fields, or FOR students just wanting to know more about the environment around them, or FOR students who plan to pursue the ERTH MS Plan B degree. Both global and local phenomena will be examined from a chemical perspective. We will cover natural and anthropogenically perturbed aspects of the Earth's hydrosphere and its interaction with surface rocks, sediments, soils, the biosphere and the atmosphere. Topics will give insight into the science behind today's environmental issues. Course content is largely based on applied geochemistry, with supporting content in theoretical geochemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, soil science, biochemistry, and microbiology. A student doesn't have to be a chemist by training or an environmentalist by temperament to succeed in this class. |
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Topics include:
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Grading: Is based on a curve. 1 Midterm exam (33% each); homework problem sets (33%) final project (33%) Class participation is not mandatory, but I do consider it in borderline grading situations. Please turn homework assignments in on time. I do not accept assignments once solutions are posted. Also, I apply grading penalties of 10%/day unless we have discussed your situation in advance. |
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Text:
Manahan "Environmental Chemistry", 10th Ed. see also the chapter comparison between the 9th and 10th editions here Supplemental Reading: as needed (Located in bookcase outside my office). |
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Class Format: | This is a lecture course. I encourage students to actively ask questions in class, particularly if the discussion isn’t clear of if you want more information. Most important material will be discussed in class, but is typically covered in more detail in the reading assignments. Keeping up with the reading will help you get the most out of the lectures. | |
Lecture Notes: | Download from Laulima as adobe acrobat files. These are not required reading, nor are they a substitute for taking your own notes or reading the text. They are a guide to lecture content. Also, the notes include supplemental figures discussed in class that are not in the textbook. These will be useful for homework assignments and studying for exams. | |
ERTH Learning Objectives: Undegraduate:
Graduate: |
ERTH department has defined 5 learning objectives for
the undergraduate degree program related to Relevance of Geology and Geophysics, Technical
knowledge, Scientific method, Oral and written skills, and Evaluating Phenomena. This course
directly incorporates content relevant to 4 of those:
ERTH dept. has also defined 4 learning objectives for the MS degree and 5 for the PhD, which are topically similar to the above:
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Title IX: | The University of Hawai’i is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect and is free of all forms of sex discrimination and gender-based violence, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these, the University has staff and resources on your campus to support and assist you. Staff can also direct you to resources that are in the community. Here are some of your options: As members of the University faculty, your instructors are required to immediately report any incident of potential sex discrimination or gender-based violence to the campus Title IX Coordinator. Although the Title IX Coordinator and your instructors cannot guarantee confidentiality, you will still have options about how your case will be handled. Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources and support you need. If you wish to remain ANONYMOUS, speak with someone CONFIDENTIALLY, or would like to receive information and support in a CONFIDENTIAL setting, use the confidential resources available here: http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/titleix/resources.html#confidential |
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last update on 10 Jan 2022