They should be able to solve problems of a numerical or logical nature in the context of this understanding and demonstrate practical skills in environmental biogeochemical techniques. In addition, students will be expected to obtain information from written and electronic archived material, to interpret critically this information and show ability in both written and oral skills. This course is the first year of a two year honours degree. The structure and content of the course are therefore primarily aimed at developing the potential and qualities of the graduates who will qualify at the end of the two years. The objective of the course is to produce graduates who understand the chemical and geological principles that determine how the natural environment functions.
Water provides the link between the study of soils, rivers, lakes and oceans and the lithosphere.
The chemistry component of the course also examines the problems of pollution caused by man's exploitation of the natural environment and places an emphasis on developing analytical chemistry skills. Joseph Black Building Tel Ext. Seminars and afternoon field trips will normally be held on Wednesdays or within the laboratory timetable. Additional field trips may be organised outwith these times. The three 15 lecture modules are from a set of six modules which are given in two sets of three modules in alternate years.