2019-2020 / QUAL0439-2

Chemical quality assurance of the environment

Duration

15h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biomedicine (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Gauthier Eppe

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course deals mainly with the major families of chemical substances that can be found in the environment, their properties, transport and fate in air, water and soils.
Natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution as well as the principal classes of environmental pollutants will be studied. We will discuss sampling and analysis methods and emphasize how we can provide reliable data for decision making. An introduction to quality assurance and quality control will be presented. The main regulatory and legal aspects (EU directives and regulations and the Belgian legislation) associated with each environmental compartment will be taught, focused essentially on limits of emission. Practical examples will de discussed. Particular attention will be given to the interpretation of the results in this context.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The overall objective of the course is to provide to students an overview of the influence of the chemistry on our environment. Emphasis will be placed on the properties, reactions, sources and sinks as well as the danger of existing chemical substances, generated naturally and by human activity for each of the areas considered: air, water, soil.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

General chemistry

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Problem-based learning will be promoted with concrete examples of environmental problems encountered. The students will perform technical internal audits ISO 17025 from the quality system developed at CART. 

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Problem based approach from specific quality assurance/quality control related to environmental issues. Internal audits are performed alone or by group of two.  

Recommended or required readings

Additional information can be found in the following books : CHIMIE DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT (en français), BLIEFERT et PERRAUD, De Boeck Université
An Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (en anglais), ANDREWS, BRIMBLECOMBE, JICKELLS and LISS, Blackwell Science Ltd.

Assessment methods and criteria

In groups of two, students have to investigate a recent environmental event related to quality assurance that has been reported in the scientific literature or in the printed or electronic media. it can also be a harmful substance from its industrial or agricultural use that has been released in the environment. Then, the following aspects of the problem are to be examined:
Define the problem, clarify the concepts. Analyse the problem.
Brainstorming about possible solutions, remediations.
The long-term solution to prevent this sort of problem in the future.
Deliverables: The research project culminates in a written report (10 pages, including illustrations and bibliography) Oral presentation and discussion

Work placement(s)

A visit of the Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (MSWI) Uvélia (Intradel) in Herstal is foreseen. The visit is focused on the incineration process and the quality aspects of waste treatment including stack emission. Visit of an accredited laboratory ISO 17025 (CART) involved in the analysis of persitent organic pollutants

Organizational remarks

The course can be given in French and/or in English

Contacts

Pr. Gauthier Eppe Institut de Chimie, Bat B6c, Local 1/9A Tel. +32-4-366.3422 e-mail. g.eppe@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

A written report is requested from the students by May 25, 2020 according to the modalities that have been explained in a document written for this purpose. 

Contacts

Pr. Gauthier Eppe Institut de Chimie, Bat B6c, Local 1/9A Tel. +32-4-366.3422 e-mail. g.eppe@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Assessment methods

Contacts