CHSC-3B, Solving Environmental Problems: The Role of Chemistry: Fall 2014
Monday & Wednesday, 5:00-6:20 PM
Dwight Peavey, PhD
Senior Scientist, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Boston MA
Visiting Scholar, Department of Chemistry & Environmental Studies
Email: , or
Phone: 617-918-1829 (EPA office)
Office (RABB 374) hours: Mon & Weds 4:00-5:00 pm or Friday by appointment
Text = Principles of Environmental Chemistry, 3rd edition
James E. Girard
Jones & Bartlett Publishers, INC, 2013
The course will investigate the emerging and past environmental problems associated with society’s dependence and use of toxic chemicals and hazardous materials as well as today's lifestyles. You will follow many different products and processes through their life cycles. We will identify safer, healthier, greener and more sustainable chemicals, materials, and products. The course will use current reports and literature from around the world to demonstrate how these toxic and hazardous chemicals have adversely affected the natural environmental cycles (air, water and land) as well as human health. Understanding how chemicals are currently regulated world-wide will be discussed and debated. This course will examine carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, persistent bioaccumulative toxics, global warming, nano-materials, and alternative energy sources. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how different societies have created environmental problems, and how these problems can be avoided through safer, healthier, greener, and more sustainable chemistry. The goal of the course is to understand how society must embrace new approaches to chemistry to avoid polluting our planet. Student team projects will present case studies on emerging chemicals of concern and their alternatives or specific environmental problems.
Pre-requisite: high school chemistry, environmental science, & biology or college chemistry or college biology or environmental studies (or permission of the instructor).
Grading:
10% class participation
10% “team” presentation: environmental issues - chemicals of concern
80% Four 1 hr exams ( 4 X 20% (1hr exam) = 80%)
You are responsible for making up exams at the next class or by contacting me. Failure to meet deadlines for your exams will result in a reduced grade. If you score less than an 80%, you have the option to retake the exam for a maximum grade of 80%. Class participation requires reading the assigned chapter(s) or posted materials prior to class and contributing to class discussions.
All students’ work for this course shall comply with “Brandeis University’s Policy Regarding Academic Honesty & Plagiarism” as found in Section 5 of Rights and Responsibilities in the Brandeis University Handbook. If you have a doubt on how to properly present your work, please consult me prior to submission or presentation of an assignment.
Schedule*: (*The schedule may be adjusted as needed.) ( ) = 10 Quizzes
Sept 3 Introductions, Expectations & Evaluation Process
Sept 10 & 12, Understanding Chemicals in Commerce
Sept 17 & 19, Chapters 1 & 2
Sept 24 & 26, Chapters 3 & 4
Oct 1 & Oct 3 Chapters 5 & 6
Oct 8 & 10 Chapters 8 & 9
Oct 15 & 17
Oct 22 & 24 Chapters 11 & 13
Oct 29 & 31 Chapters 14 & 15
Nov 5 & 6 Chapters 16 & Pollution Prevention
Nov 12 & 15 Chapter 17
Nov 19 & 21 Toxicology (NLM Toxicology Tutor I - Basic Principles)
Nov 27- Dec 1 Vacation
Nov 26 & 28 (9) Chapter 20
Dec 2 (10-practicum) Integrated Chemical Management
Dec 4 & 9 Team Presentations ***
Dec 14-21 Final Exam
*** Team topics must be approved by Friday, November 23, 2013
Principles of Environmental Chemistry, 3rd Edition
James E. Girard, PhD, American University
Chapter1Planet Earth: Rocks, Life, and Energy
Chapter2Earth's Soil and Agriculture: Feeding the Earth's People
Chapter3The Earth's Atmosphere
Chapter4Global Warming and Climate Change
Chapter5Chemistry of the Troposphere
Chapter6Chemistry of the Stratosphere
Chapter7Analysis of Air and Air Pollutants (Optional)
Chapter8Water Resources
Chapter9Water Pollution and Water Treatment
Chapter10Analysis of Water and Wastewater (Optional)
Chapter11Fossil Fuels: Our Major Source of Energy
Chapter12Nuclear Power (Optional)
Chapter13Energy Sources for the Future
Chapter14Inorganic Metals in the Environment
Chapter15Organic Metals in the Environment
Chapter16Sustainability and Green Chemistry
Chapter17Insecticides, Herbicides, and Insect Control
Chapter18Toxicology (Optional)
Chapter19Asbestos (Optional)
Chapter20The Disposal of Dangerous Wastes
(Optional) reading recommended but will not be included on test