FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 1/10

1.0 COURSE INFORMATION

COURSE NAME : BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

COURSE CODE : CEV420
SEMESTER : 2/3
CREDIT HOURS : 3
CONTACT HOURS : 4
SLT : FACE-TO-FACE (F2F): 42 HOURS
NON FACE-TO-FACE: 18 HOURS GUIDED
AND 78 HOURS NON-GUIDED
COURSE STATUS : CORE
PRE-REQUISITE : NIL
LECTURER’S NAME : : RASYIDAH ALROZI
SITI AMINAH MD ALI
NURUL IZZA HUSIN
AINNIE RAHAYU ABDULLAH
DR. NOR AZIYAH BAKHARI
DR. AZRINAWATI MOHD ZIN

2.0 SYNOPSIS

The course introduces topics on the environmental physical and chemical processes
which include science of the atmosphere, water sources and solid earth, environmental
organic chemistry and biogeochemical cycling of chemicals.

3.0 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the physical and chemistry of the atmosphere, water and solid earth, as well as
the concepts of environmental organic chemistry and biogeochemical cycling of
chemicals (CI, C2, A1).
2. Apply the environmental sciences knowledge to solve the chemical processes
problems (C3, C4, A1).
3. Evaluate the environmental sciences approach in solving problems related to
environmental issues (C6, A1).

4.0 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Lectures and Online Learning.

5.0 LESSON PLAN

Week Duration Topics Activities

1-2 2 1. INTRODUCTION  Briefing of the course
1.1. The environmental sciences objectives and lesson plan
(29/2 1.2. Chemistry aspects ofenvironment and OBE
- 1.3. Units of chemical concentration
11/3)  Read notes given.
1.4. Physical aspects of environment
 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 2/10

Week Duration Topics Activities

3-4 2 2. THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT  Read Notes given.
2.1. Introduction to townscape  Quiz 1
(14/3 – 2.2. Energy in city
25/3) 2.3. Transportation
2.4. Water for the urban environment
2.5. Lighting
2.6. Urban pollution
2.7. Smog
2.8. Acid rain
2.9. The car as an urban pollutant
2.10. Noise pollution

5-6 2 3. SCIENCE OF THE ATMOSPHERE  Read Notes given.

3.1. Physical structure of the atmosphere  Assignment
(28/3 – 3.2. The Earth’s weather
8/4)
 Test 1 – Week 7*
3.3. Sources of trace gases and pollutants in the
atmosphere
3.4. Solar energy and radiation
3.5. Initiation of photochemistry by light
3.6. Tropospheric oxidation chemistry
3.7. Ozone and global warming

7-9 3 4. SCIENCE OF THE WATER SOURCES  Read Notes given

4.1. Water inventory on the earth
(18/4 - 4.2. Physical and chemical properties of fresh
6/5) and salt water
*11/4-
4.3. Fundamentals of aquatic chemistry
17/4 4.4. Metals and metalloids in water
(Mid- 4.5. Nutrients in water and sediments
term 4.6. Organic chemicals and pollutants in water
break)
10 1 5. SCIENCE OF THE SOLID EARTH  Read Notes given
5.1. Formation and physical properties of soil  Quiz 2
(9/5 – 5.2. Mineral and organic components of soil
13/5) 5.3. Soil-water balance
5.4. Soil pH and redox potential
5.5. Chemical reactions in soil

11 1 6. ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIC  Read Notes given

CHEMISTRY
(16/5 – 6.1. The diversity of organic compounds
20/5) 6.2. The fate of organic contaminants
6.3. Chemical partitioning
6.4. Chemical transformation and degradation
6.5. Chemical transformation through
photochemistry

12-13 2 7. BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLING OF  Read Notes given

CHEMICALS  Test 2 – Week 14*
(23/5 7.1. Introduction: Biogeochemical cycling
– 7.2. Rates of transfer between environmental
10/6) compartments
7.3. Transfer in aquatic systems
*30/5-
5/6
7.4. Biogeochemical cycles
(Special 7.5. Behaviour of long-lived organic chemicals
Leave) in the environment

14 1 8. CASE EXAMPLE: Role of environmental  Assignment (Group

 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 3/10

Week Duration Topics Activities

engineer to combat the problem on industrial city Presentation)
(13/6 – area produced by:
17/6) 8.1 Population (Municipal solid waste,
sewage related to methane generation,
global warming due to the CO2 emission
from cars and etc.)
8.2 Chemical industries and others (global
warming, ozone hole, wastewater effluent,
ground water pollution and etc.)

(20/6
– 1 STUDY WEEK
22/6)
(23/6 –
21/7)

*4/7 – 3 EXAMINATION
11/7
(Special
Leave)

6.0 ASSESSMENTS

Tests and Assignments : 40%

Final Examination : 60%

7.0 GRADING SCALE

A+ 90-100 C 50-54
A 80-89 C- 47-49
A- 75-79 D+ 44-46
B+ 70-74 D 40-43
B 65-69 E 30-39
B- 60-64 F 0-29
C+ 55-59

8.0 TEXTBOOK USED

Harrison, R.M., (2007). Principles of environmental chemistry, UK, The Royal

Society of Chemistry.

Mason, N,& Hughes, P. (2001). Introduction to Environmental Physics, Taylor &

Francis Publisher Inc, USA.

9.0 REFERENCES

Richard, T.W. and Dorothy, F.B. (2014). Environmental science (12th ed.) Pearson
New International Edition.
 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 5/10

Course Learning Outcomes

Week Chapter/ Content Course Outcome Instructional Method Assessment
The students should be able to:

1. INTRODUCTION • Lectures Test

1 1.1. The environmental sciences The student should be able to: • Online Learning
1. Explain the
1.2. Chemistry aspects of physical and  Define and explain environmental
environment chemistry of the sciences and its relation with
1.3. Units of chemical atmosphere, water other science branches.
and solid earth, as
concentration  Explain the chemistry / chemical
well as the processes and physical aspect of
1.4. Physical aspects of concepts of environmental components.
environment environmental
organic chemistry  Solve environmental chemistry
and problems related to concentration
biogeochemical units and conversion.
2. THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT cycling of • Lectures Quiz
2.1. Introduction to townscape chemicals (CI, C2,
2-3 The student should be able to: • Online Learning Test
A1).
2.2. Energy in city  Define the urban environment
2.3. Transportation 2. Apply the  Explain the various features of life
2.4. Water for the urban environmental in the urban environment
environment sciences
knowledge to solve  Rise the environmental
2.5. Lighting the chemical consciousness towards the idea
2.6. Urban pollution processes of sustainable.
2.7. Smog problems (C3, C4,
2.8. Acid rain A1).
2.9. The car as an urban pollutant 3. Evaluate the
2.10. Noise pollution environmental
sciences approach
3. SCIENCE OF THE in solving
• Lectures Assignment
problems related
4-6 ATMOSPHERE to environmental The student should be able to: • Online Learning Test
1.1. Physical structure of the issues (C6, A1).  Identify the structure and
atmosphere characteristics of atmosphere
3.2. The Earth’s weather  Explain the initiation of
3.3. Sources of trace gases and atmospheric photo-reaction by
pollutants in the atmosphere light energy.
3.4. Solar energy and radiation  Describe the chemical
3.5. Initiation of photochemistry transformation and sinks of
substance that occur in
by light atmosphere
 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 6/10

3.6. Tropospheric oxidation

chemistry
3.7. Ozone and global warming

4. SCIENCE OF THE WATER • Lectures Test

7-8 SOURCES
4.1. Water inventory on the earth
4.2. Physical and chemical
properties of fresh and salt
water
4.3. Fundamentals of aquatic
chemistry
4.4. Metals and metalloids in
water
4.5. Nutrients in water and
sediments
4.6. Organic chemicals and
pollutants in water
The student should be able to: • Online Learning
 Describe the water inventory on
earth.
 Identify the physical and chemical
properties of fresh and salt water
 Explain the fundamental of
aquatic chemistry, metal &
metalloids and nutrients in water.
 Analyze the pollutants associated
with freshwaters and seawaters.

5. SCIENCE OF THE SOLID • Lectures Quiz

8-9 EARTH
5.1. Formation and physical
properties of soil
5.2. Mineral and organic
components of soil
5.3. Soil-water balance
5.4. Soil pH and redox potential
5.5. Chemical reactions in soil
The student should be able to : • Online Learning Test
 Identify and explain the
chemistry aspect of soil and its
formations
 Explain the mineral and organic
components of soil.
 Explain the soil water balance.
 Explain the chemical reactions
in soil.

COURSE OUTLINE
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE
6. ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIC
11 CHEMISTRY
6.1. The diversity of organic
compounds
6.2. The fate of organic
contaminants
6.3. Chemical partitioning
6.4. Chemical transformation and
degradation
6.5. Chemical transformation
through photochemistry
7. BIOGEOCHEMICAL
13 CYCLING OF CHEMICALS
7.1. Introduction: Biogeochemical
cycling
7.2. Rates of transfer between
environmental compartments
7.3. Transfer in aquatic systems
7.4. Biogeochemical cycles
7.5. Behaviour of long-lived
organic chemicals in the
environment
8. CASE EXAMPLE (CO3, PO2):
14 Role of environmental engineer to
combat the problem on industrial
city area produced by:
8.1 Population (Municipal solid
waste, sewage related to
methane generation, global
warming due to the CO2
emission from cars and
etc.)
8.2 Chemical industries and
others (global warming,
FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
7/10
• Lectures Test
The student should be able to : • Online Learning
 Identify the diversity of organic
compound associated with
environmental aspect and its
characteristics.
 Explain the fate of organic
contaminants and its portioning
behavior in the environment
 Analyze the chemical
transformation and degradation
naturally and through
photochemistry.
• Lectures Test
The student should be able to : • Online Learning
 Describe Biogeochemical
characteristics and cycling
 Analyze biogeochemical rates
of transfer between
environmental compartments,
mediums and systems.
 Analyze the behavior of long-
lived organic chemicals in the
environment
The student should be able to : • Case example (Group Assignment (Group
 Analyze the problem facing on assignment) Presentation)
industrial area produced by
human population and
industries.
 Propose solutions to overcome
the problems as an
environmental engineer.
 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 8/10

ozone hole, wastewater

effluent, ground water
pollution and etc.)

LIST OF COURSE OUTCOMES:

CO1. Explain the physical and chemistry of the atmosphere, water and solid earth, as well as the concepts of environmental organic chemistry and biogeochemical cycling
of chemicals (CI, C2, A1).).
CO2. Apply the environmental chemistry knowledge to solve the chemical processes problems (C3, C4, A1).
CO3. Evaluate the environmental sciences approach in solving problems related to environmental issues (C6, A1).).

LIST OF PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:

PLO1 : Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals to solve complex engineering problems in chemical and environmental
engineering.
PLO2 : Ability to identify, formulate, analyze and solve complex chemical and environmental engineering problems using the principles of mathematics, applied
science and engineering.
PLO3 : Ability to design component, system and process for complex chemical and environmental engineering problems with an appropriate consideration on health,
safety, society and environment.
PLO4 : Ability to conduct complex hands-on chemical and environmental investigation using research-based knowledge and method including design of experiment,
analysis and interpretation of data to provide valid conclusion.
PLO5 : Ability to utilize modern science, engineering or IT tools and systems to solve complex chemical and environmental engineering problems.

PLO6 : Ability to assess safety, health, legal and cultural issues in engineering scenarios that affect society.

PLO7 : Ability to demonstrate professional engineering solution in societal and environmental contexts for sustainable development.

PLO8 : Ability to recognize the ethical principles and apply the professional conducts in engineering practice.

PLO9 : Ability to communicate effectively not only with engineers but also with the community at large.

PLO10 : Ability to function effectively as an individual as well as in a group with the capacity to be a resourceful person, leader and an effective team member.

PLO11 : Ability to engage in independent learning and life-long learning.

PLO12 : Ability to manage projects related to chemical and environmental engineering, and/or entrepreneurial business that involve multidisciplinary roles.
 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 9/10

COURSE OUTCOMES – PROGRAM OUTCOMES MATRIX

COURSE CODE CEV420 CENTRE OF STUDY PULAU PINANG

COURSE NAME BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES UPDATED BY NURULHUDA AMRI

CREDIT UNIT 3 DATE 10 JUNE 2015

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

COURSE LEARNING TEACHING
PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO PO ASSESSMENT
OUTCOMES METHODOLOGY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

a. Explain the physical and 3 3 Lectures Assignment

chemistry of the atmosphere, Online learning Test
water and solid earth, as well as Final Exam
the concepts of environmental
organic chemistry and
biogeochemical cycling of
chemicals (C1, C2, A1).

b. Apply the environmental 3 3 Lectures Assignment

chemistry knowledge to solve Online learning Test
the chemical processes Final Exam
problems (C3, C4, A1).

c. Evaluate the environmental 3 3 Lectures Assignment

sciences approach in solving Online learning Test
problems related to Final Exam
environmental issues (C6, A1).
Numbers Indicator: 3 – Strongly emphasized, 2 – Moderately emphasized, 1 – Slightly emphasized
 FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
COURSE OUTLINE UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
CEV420
BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
PAGE 10/10
Learning outcomes, learning activities, learning time (in hours) and estimating MQF credit for a course: CEV420
CLO 1:Explain the physical and chemistry of the atmosphere, water and solid earth, as well as the concepts of environmental organic chemistry and biogeochemical cycling of chemicals (C1,C2, A1).
CLO 2:Apply the environmental sciences knowledge to solve the chemical processes problems (C3,C4, A1)
CLO 3:Evaluate the environmental sciences approach in solving problems related to environmental issues (C6,A1).

Traditional (Guided) in
class (Guided / supervised) Teaching & Learning in
learning activities and off class Activities (ATLA) (Managed) Independent Learning Activities

online
ATLA 1 ATLA 2 **Self- Total
(guided Assign- **Self- **Self- **Self- **Self-
Lab/ SCL/P Project/ Mini Talk/Industri ATLA 3 preparati
) m ents/Repo learning- learning- learning- learning- Quiz MQF
No Modules / Topics / Lecture Tut BL Project al Visit ind train on tests Credit
rt Lec Tut tests/quiz Other
units of study discussin
Non F2F Non F2F Non F2F Non F2F Non F2F exam .
Non Non Non Non F2F Non F2F Non
*F2F F2F F2F F2F F2F F2F F2F F2F F2F F2F SLT F2F F2F
F2F

1 Introduction 5 3 4 2 14.0 5.0 9.0 0.4

2 The urban environment 5 3 4 2 2 0.50 16.5 5.5 11.0 0.4

3 Science of atmosphere 8 4 1 2 6 2 23.0 8.0 15.0 0.6

4 Science of the water sources 8 4 6 2 4 1.50 25.5 9.5 16.0 0.6

Science of the solid earth 3 1 2 1 2 0.50 9.5 3.5 6.0 0.2

5

6 Environmental organic chemistry 3 1 2 1 7.0 3.0 4.0 0.2

7 Biogeochemical cycling of chemicals 3 1 2 1 4 1.50 12.5 4.5 8.0 0.3

8 Case example 3 1 2 6 12.0 3.0 9.0 0.3

Total 35.0 0.0 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 18.0 3.0 8.0 26.0 11.0 12.0 0.0 4.0 120.0 42.0 78.0 3.0
Student learning time (SLT) per wk 2.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.3 0.2 0.6 1.9 0.8 0.9 0.0 0.3 8.6 3.0 5.6