Introduction to Environmental Chemistry, FC
Within environmental chemistry you will study the contaminants journey from source, their fate (reactions, transport) in the environment, and finally the effects (toxicity). That information will lay base to identify the hazard, exposure and risk of the chemicals.
Environmental chemistry is the study of biotic and abiotic chemical processes in the environment, the effects of human activity on them, and how these in turn affect human and wildlife health. It is an interdisciplinary field of science that includes biological, ecological, atmospheric, aquatic and soil chemistry, heavily dependent on chemical analysis and effect analysis in vivo, in vitro and in silico. Within environmental chemistry you will study the contaminants journey from source, their fate (reactions, transport) in the environment, and finally the effects (toxicity). That information will lay base to identify the hazard, exposure and risk of the chemicals. The course is designed to provide a fundamental survey of concepts and definitions of environmental chemical and toxicological concepts.
In the organic chemistry section, you will learn about the use of the chemicals, be introduced to their inherent properties, the distribution in the environment and organisms, abiotic transformation and metabolism of organic contaminants. Examples of a range of historical and currently used problematic organic chemicals will be discussed and put in a regulatory perspective. Fundamental for a proper risk assessment is a robust analytical method to determine the exposure and environmental levels. For that purpose, you will get an introduction to chemical analysis methods adopted for a range of different organic contaminants.
Furthermore, the course will give a basic survey of chemical reactions of inorganic chemicals in natural waters; thermodynamics, kinetics and chemical equilibrium in nature; inorganic environmental chemistry, especially the sources of heavy metals, their distribution and potential health risks and environmental hazards.
The course will also give a basic survey of atmospheric chemistry, composition and processes: ozone chemistry of the stratosphere, photochemistry of the troposphere, atmospheric particles, cloud chemistry. Sources, transport, chemistry, deposition and effects of atmospheric contaminants; greenhouse gases and climate change.
Information for admitted students autumn 2024
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Registration
Admitted students
Register on the web (Ladok for students). The registration will open 5 August for all courses, but check the last day of registration for each course in Ladok. If you have not studied at Stockholm University before, you first need to activate your university account (Get access to IT services).
Conditionally admitted
If you are conditionally admitted you must be able to show the appropriate documents to prove your eligibility to be able to register for the course. To show that you fulfil the requirement and to remove the conditional admittance, please contact us at the department, studeranu@aces.su.se.
How to decline your offer
If you decid not to attend, it’s important that you decline your place as soon as possible so that other students can be awarded a place. Follow the instructions given under Universityadmission.se – ‘Application’ after you log in. Read more here – Declining places you don't wish to keep
Roll call
In order to confirm the final number of participants, every course has a roll-call at the first lecture. If you are unable to attend the roll-call, you need to contact us (studeranu@aces.su.se) no later than the course start date.
Disability Services
Stockholm University provides targeted study support to students with long-term disabilities.
Read more: Studying with a disability
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
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For new international students
Environmental chemistry is the study of biotic and abiotic chemical processes in the environment, the effects of human activity on them, and how these in turn affect human and wildlife health. It is an interdisciplinary field of science that includes biological, ecological, atmospheric, aquatic and soil chemistry, heavily dependent on chemical analysis and effect analysis in vivo, in vitro and in silico. Within environmental chemistry you will study the contaminants journey from source, their fate (reactions, transport) in the environment, and finally the effects (toxicity). That information will lay base to identify the hazard, exposure and risk of the chemicals. The course is designed to provide a fundamental survey of concepts and definitions of environmental chemical and toxicological concepts.
In the organic chemistry section, you will learn about the use of the chemicals, be introduced to their inherent properties, the distribution in the environment and organisms, abiotic transformation and metabolism of organic contaminants. Examples of a range of historical and currently used problematic organic chemicals will be discussed and put in a regulatory perspective. Fundamental for a proper risk assessment is a robust analytical method to determine the exposure and environmental levels. For that purpose, you will get an introduction to chemical analysis methods adopted for a range of different organic contaminants.
Furthermore, the course will give a basic survey of chemical reactions of inorganic chemicals in natural waters; thermodynamics, kinetics and chemical equilibrium in nature; inorganic environmental chemistry, especially the sources of heavy metals, their distribution and potential health risks and environmental hazards.
The course will also give a basic survey of atmospheric chemistry, composition and processes: ozone chemistry of the stratosphere, photochemistry of the troposphere, atmospheric particles, cloud chemistry. Sources, transport, chemistry, deposition and effects of atmospheric contaminants; greenhouse gases and climate change.
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Course structure
The course is divided into three sections;
- Organic chemistry (5 credits)
- Inorganic chemistry (5 credits)
- Atmospheric chemistry (5 credits)
Teaching format
The teaching consists of lectures, exercises, excursions and laboratory work. Participation in the laboratory work is mandatory. The course is given in English.
Intended learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student is expected to:
- classify and name common organic environmental pollutants and account for their use and basic physical and chemical properties (module 1)
- give an account of environmental chemistry and environmental toxicology central concepts and definitions, and bring reasoning about spread, transformation, and analysis of common organic environmental pollutants (module 1)
- explain how dissolved substances can be measured and calculated and perform calculations for aqueous solutions in equilibrium with solid phase and gas phase (module 2)
- be able to predict the state of a water system based on the variables pH and redox potential and account for that eutrophication, acidification and heavy metals from an environmental chemical perspective (module 2)
- name common air pollutants and account for sources, transport, transformation, deposition and main effects (module 3)
- perform simpler photochemical and cloud chemical calculations (module 3).
Assessment
Assessment for modules 1-3 takes place through a written exam and laboratory reports.
Your rights and responsibilities
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
Relevant literature will be handed out.
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Course reports
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Contact
Study Counselors
Course Coordinator
Jana Weiss, Jana.Weiss@aces.su.se
Department of Environmental Science
