Pollution Science (ENVM3211)

Course overview

Essentially all human activities lead to adverse impacts on the earth's ecosystems. Apart from direct ecosystem destruction the main impacts are caused by pollution. This course examines chemical and non-chemical pollutants and the impacts they have both historically and currently. It also examines the scientific methods used to detect and quantify the effects of pollutants. This course offers an overview on some of the most important concepts and modern methods applied in this field, integrating basic and applied science throughout lectures and field-based activities. The field trip, held in the mid-semester break, is compulsory and additional fees may be payable.

Pollution Science studies the production, use, release, transport, and effects of pollutants on human health, wildlife, flora, and ecosystems. It is an interdisciplinary science that combines elements of biology, chemistry, toxicology, statistics and environmental sciences. ﾠThis course introduces students to a range of pollutants detected in the environment and provides key field and laboratory practical skills in designing and implementing a monitoring program to screen for contaminants in aquatic environments and to assess the hazard and risk the pollutants pose to ecosystems. The importance of the concentration of a pollutant to the magnitude and type of effects its causes will be emphasised. A sound understanding of Pollution Science will be highly beneficial to both environmental managers and environmental scientists.

The course includes the compulsory Fieldwork Excursion. This two-day theory and practical (scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of week nine,ﾠSemester 1, 2025 held on the 30th of April and 1st of May, 2025), will teach you the fundamentals of how to collect a water quality sample in accordance with the Monitoring and Sampling Manual - Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 and the procedures that the Queensland Government, Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Monitoring Program use (Queensland sampling manual and GBRCLMP methods and the National Water Quality Management Strategy).

You will have subject matter experts leading the field day, including staff from the Water Quality and Investigations group of the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The first day will consist of three hours of lectures on theoretical aspects of water quality monitoring. Then, in the afternoon, students will be shown appropriate techniques to collect samples and appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures for collecting water samples for suspended solids, nutrients, and pesticides. A short theory and practical test will conclude on the first day, and students who pass will be given a Queensland Government endorsed certificate. This training is recognised as sufficient to collect samples for the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Monitoring programﾠ(Australia's largest water monitoring program). It would be sufficient for most commercial/industrial/consulting settings. The second day will involve applying the training to collect samples at several sites on Oxley Creek. The collected samples will be analysed in a commercial laboratory, and the results will be used later in the course for your assignment.

Course requirements

Assumed background

There is no pre-requisite, but undergraduate coursesﾠin biology, chemistry and/or environmental science would be helpful.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

In addition to the lectures, two (2) one-day field trips (scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of week nine,ﾠSemester 1, 2025 held on the 30th of April and 1st of May, 2025).ﾠThis is a compulsory component of the course. Additional information will be provided closer to the dates during the lectures.ﾠOne to two-hour tutorials will be held immediately after the lectures; additional tutorials may also be held. You will be informed of these during lectures in the preceding weeks.ﾠ

Aims and outcomes

The central aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the pollutants, their fate and exposure in the environment and toxicological effects. As well as gaining a background in environmental toxicology, students will get hands on practical experience in how to design and carry out a monitoring program and conducting hazard and ecological risk assessments.

ﾠ

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Online Quiz 1

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

20%

Due date

17/04/2025 4:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

1. Online quiz via Learn.UQ/Blackboard
2. Timed Test: This test has a time limit of 1 hour and 10 minutes.
3. Timer Setting: This test will save and be submitted automatically when the time expires.
4. Force Completion: This Test can be saved and resumed at any point until time has expired. The timer will continue to run if you leave the test.
5. The quiz window will remain open until indicated deadline and once you attempt the quiz you will have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the quiz.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

A maximum of seven days extension is permitted for this assessment item as the quiz content is reviewed in the tutorial following a seven day submission timeline .See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.

Late submission

Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.

Online Quiz 2

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

20%

Due date

22/05/2025 4:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

1. Online quiz via Learn.UQ/Blackboard
2. Timed Test: This test has a time limit of 1 hour and 10 minutes.
3. Timer Setting: This test will save and be submitted automatically when the time expires.
4. Force Completion: This Test can be saved and resumed at any point until time has expired. The timer will continue to run if you leave the test.
5. The quiz window will remain open until indicated deadline and once you attempt the quiz you will have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete the quiz.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

A maximum of seven days extension is permitted for this assessment item as the quiz content is reviewed in the tutorial following a seven day submission timeline. See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.

Late submission

Exams submitted after the end of the submission time will incur a late penalty.

Field Assignment

• Team or group-based
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution, Translation/ Interpretation, Tutorial/ Problem Set

Weight

20%

Due date

28/05/2025 5:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L03, L04, L05

Task description

Submission guidelines

During the week 12 tutorial, fieldwork results and the assignment submission process will be discussed.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications. 

Please note that a longer extension/delay on submission will impact the teaching, feedback and final exam possible. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 

End of Semester Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications. 

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Assessment Hurdles

In able to pass this course, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more in the End of Semester Exam. If you do not meet this requirement, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Assessment Submission

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the on time, correct and complete submission of all assessment items.

Please ensure you receive and save the submission confirmation for all submitted items, you may be asked to produce this as evidence of your submission.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for timeframes. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
• Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
• All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
• You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
• If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

Turnitin

All written assessment must be submitted via the appropriate Turnitin submission portal, which can be found within the Blackboard site. You are responsible for ensuring that your submission is complete. It is wise to re-enter the Turnitin portal and confirm that your submission is there and that it has not been altered during the submission process.

By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment”.

In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.

Assessment/Attendance

Please notify your Course Coordinator as soon as you become aware of any issue that may affect your ability to meet the assessment/attendance requirements of the course. The my.UQ website and the Course Profile for your course also provide information about your course requirements, the rules associated with your courses and services offered by the University.

A note for repeating students in this course

Any student who enrols in a course must not be given exemption or partial credit from their previous attempt(s) for any individual piece of assessment. Instead, the student must successfully complete all of the learning activities and assessment items within the study period of enrolment (PPL Assessment - Procedures).

If the same assessment item is set from one year to the next, repeating students are allowed to submit the same work they submitted in previous attempts at the course. Where possible SENV recommends that you use the feedback you received in your last attempt to improve parts of the item where you lost marks. Resubmission of an altered or unaltered assessment item by a repeating student (where the same assessment has been set) will not be considered as self-plagiarism.

Plagiarism

You should be aware that the University employs purpose built software to detect plagiarism. It is very important that you understand clearly the practical meaning of plagiarism.

DEFINITION OF PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.

EXAMPLES OF PLAGIARISM:

1. Direct copying of paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence;

2. Direct copying of paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence with an end reference but without quotation marks around the copied text;

3. Copying ideas, concepts, research results, computer codes, statistical tables, designs, images, sounds or text or any combination of these;

4. Paraphrasing, summarising or simply rearranging another person's words, ideas, etc without changing the basic structure and/or meaning of the text;

5. Offering an idea or interpretation that is not one's own without identifying whose idea or interpretation it is;

6. A 'cut and paste' of statements from multiple sources;

7. Presenting as independent, work done in collaboration with others;

8. Copying or adapting another student's original work into a submitted assessment item.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.