CHE450: Chemistry of the Environment

This advanced course investigates the chemical principles that underlie current environmental issues. Students will study the chemistry of the natural environment (atmosphere, soil and water) and develop skills necessary to analyze alterations that human beings have made. Specific topics include ozone layer depletion, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, photochemical smog, toxic organic pollutants and heavy-metal contamination. Laboratory work will include field sampling and will emphasize the methods required to make accurate measurements of both background and elevated levels of chemical substances in the environment.