AESP 280 Environmental Chemistry is an introductory environmental chemistry course designed to equip students with the foundational skills, knowledge and context to begin to assess environmental quality. The course uses water quality assessment and aqueous chemistry to explore basic concepts in chemistry and their environmental application. Laboratory exercises include field and laboratory analysis and are derived from standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater.
Prerequisites: MATH 160, MATH 190, ENVR 150, ENVR 160, ENVR 190 all with a minimum grade of 60%
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 90 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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| Lab (lab, field, computer) | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Examine the application and social context of environmental chemistry
- Obtain a working knowledge of fundamentals of environmental chemistry, including: measurement fundamentals, states of matter, energy, mass/volume/density
- Explore basic chemistry concepts such as matter, atomic structure, chemical reactions, acids and bases, solubility, and reduction/oxidation
- Examine examples of chemical processes and applied environmental chemistry such as acid mine drainage, acid rain, nutrient contamination of water, hydrocarbon contamination, water quality parameters and assay techniques
- Develop safe and accurate environmental chemistry field and laboratory skills such as use of common field and laboratory apparatus, calibrations and dimensional analysis
- Carry out common analyses in water quality assessment including: nutrient, dissolved oxygen and chlorine concentration, suspended and dissolved solids, pH, alkalinity, toxicity bioassay
- Evaluate the significance and limitations of the measurement techniques
Teaching and Learning Approach
This course will examine the environmental context and applications of basic chemistry. Foundational concepts
are examined using real-world examples and case studies. Labs are used to support the exploration of
concepts and to introduce water quality monitoring techniques.
Classroom and lab work is supported with an online textbook, paper lab manual, note-taking slide deck as well
as demonstrations, in-depth reference material and links to multimedia content. Students are most likely to
succeed if they prepare in advance, attend and take notes in all lectures and labs.
Assignments and lab exercises are based on classroom work. They are designed to prepare students and
provide feedback to be successful in exams (Midterm, Final, Lab Exam). As such, students are encouraged to
work together and seek help from peers and instructors as questions arise.
This course is delivered with in-person lectures and labs, and the course schedule is subject to change based
on learners needs.
Learning Resources
Chemistry: Atoms First 2e. An OpenStax Resource. Edward J. Neth, Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard
Langley, Stephen F. William R. Robinson, PhD. ©2019 Rice University. Textbook content produced by
OpenStax, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Download
for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/chemistry-atoms-first-2e.
Environmental Chemistry Lab Manual, Fall 2025 edition. Developed by Peter Golden, Rob Macrae and
Allyson Perrott (Castlegar, BC). Electronic copies are available online in the course Moodle site.
Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. 1. AESP and Environmental Chemistry Introduction
2. 2. Case Study, What to Expect, Basic chemistry concepts and "toolbox"
3. 3. Witness Blanket Tour, Field Trip
4. 4. Measurement theory, Dimensional Analysis, Metric System, Relationships
5.
5. Truth and Reconciliation
6. 6. Atomic Structure and Periodic Table
7. 7. Atomic Structure, Periodic Table Intro to Toxicology
8. 8. Electrons, Chemical Bonds
9. 9. Midterm
10. 10. Bonding Review, Chemical Reactions
11. 11. Reading Break Stoicheometry
12. 12. Acids & Bases
13. 13. Reduction/Oxidation and associated reactions
14. 14. Review and Applications
Assessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Lab Reports | 2, 4-7 | 20% |
| Assignments | 1, 3, 4 | 15% |
| Midterm | 1-4 | 15% |
| Comprehensive Final Exam | 1-4, 7 | 25% |
| Laboratory Examination | 2, 4-7 | 15% |
| Professionalism, Participation | 1-7, see course expectations | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.