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280262 VU Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (2025W)
Continuous assessment of course work
Labels
Registration/Deregistration
Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
- Registration is open from Th 04.09.2025 08:00 to Mo 22.09.2025 23:59
- Registration is open from Th 25.09.2025 00:00 to We 08.10.2025 08:00
- Deregistration possible until Fr 31.10.2025 23:59
Details
max. 25 participants
Language: English
Lecturers
- Thilo Hofmann
- Esther Sophie Breuninger
- Anita J Brijit
- Valentin Göldner
- Thorsten Hüffer
- Stephan Krämer
- Sarah Pati
- Veer Vikram Singh
- Elena Tiis
- Dean Velikov
- Valerie Wilkeit
- Jiahui Wu
- Michael Zumstein
- Frank von der Kammer
- Frederic Würth (Student Tutor)
Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N
This course will be taught in English. It consists of lecture parts with exercises and discussions as well as a laboratory course. This course takes place in person with online elements in Moodle.
- Monday 06.10. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 08.10. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 09.10. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 13.10. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 15.10. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 16.10. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 20.10. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 22.10. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 23.10. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 27.10. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 29.10. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 30.10. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 03.11. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 05.11. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 06.11. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 10.11. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 12.11. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 13.11. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 17.11. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 19.11. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 20.11. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 24.11. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 26.11. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 27.11. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 01.12. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 03.12. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 04.12. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Wednesday 10.12. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 11.12. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 15.12. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 17.12. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 18.12. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Wednesday 07.01. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 08.01. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 12.01. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 14.01. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 15.01. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 19.01. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 21.01. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 22.01. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Monday 26.01. 10:45 - 12:30 Eberhard Clar Saal Geologie 2B204 2.OG UZA II
- Wednesday 28.01. 08:45 - 11:00 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
- Thursday 29.01. 08:45 - 10:45 Hörsaal 2 Eduard Suess, 2A122 1.OG UZA II Geo-Zentrum
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
This introductory course provides the chemical foundation for understanding environmental systems and their transformation under human impact. Students learn how fundamental processes in environmental (hydro)chemistry and geochemistry shape water and soils, and why these processes are key to tackling today’s challenges of pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. The course introduces core concepts, analytical methods, and experimental approaches, and includes laboratory training to connect theory with practice. It equips students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to engage with more advanced topics in the master’s programme Environmental Systems.
Assessment and permitted materials
A total of 160 points can be earned through exams, exercises, and the laboratory course.A) Short Exams (60 points total)
Four exams (45 minutes each), worth 15 points each.Dates:
1. Monday, October 20 (Hofmann/vd Kammer)
2. Wednesday, November 5 (Krämer)
3. Thursday, November 20 (Zumstein/Pati)
4. Monday, December 15 (Hüffer/Göldner/vd Kammer/Breuninger/Krämer)B) Exercises (60 points total)
Four blocks, each worth 15 points:
1. Hofmann/vd Kammer
2. Krämer
3. Zumstein/Pati
4. Hüffer/Göldner/vd Kammer/Breuninger/KrämerFurther details will be announced via Moodle.C) Laboratory Course (40 points, presence is mandatory)
- Six basic experiments in environmental chemistry with group reports (6 points each)
- Introductory and safety sessions (4 points)
- Held from December 17 to January 29
- Participation and presence in all parts is mandatory to complete the laboratory course successfully.
Four exams (45 minutes each), worth 15 points each.Dates:
1. Monday, October 20 (Hofmann/vd Kammer)
2. Wednesday, November 5 (Krämer)
3. Thursday, November 20 (Zumstein/Pati)
4. Monday, December 15 (Hüffer/Göldner/vd Kammer/Breuninger/Krämer)B) Exercises (60 points total)
Four blocks, each worth 15 points:
1. Hofmann/vd Kammer
2. Krämer
3. Zumstein/Pati
4. Hüffer/Göldner/vd Kammer/Breuninger/KrämerFurther details will be announced via Moodle.C) Laboratory Course (40 points, presence is mandatory)
- Six basic experiments in environmental chemistry with group reports (6 points each)
- Introductory and safety sessions (4 points)
- Held from December 17 to January 29
- Participation and presence in all parts is mandatory to complete the laboratory course successfully.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
A total of 160 points can be earned through exams, exercises, and the laboratory course. Points from all activities are accumulated, and the final grade is based on the total number of points achieved during the semester.Grading scheme:> 87.5% – Grade 1
> 75–87.49% – Grade 2
> 62.5–74.99% – Grade 3
> 50–62.49% – Grade 4
> 0–49.99% – Grade 5At least 50% of the total points (80 points) must be achieved to pass. In addition, participation and presence in all parts of the laboratory course is mandatory to successfully complete the course.
> 75–87.49% – Grade 2
> 62.5–74.99% – Grade 3
> 50–62.49% – Grade 4
> 0–49.99% – Grade 5At least 50% of the total points (80 points) must be achieved to pass. In addition, participation and presence in all parts of the laboratory course is mandatory to successfully complete the course.
Examination topics
1. Exercise and exam (30 points): Basics of aquatic chemistry and env. chemistry of trace metals (Hofmann & vd Kammer)
2. Exercise and exam (30 points): Thermodynamic modelling and kinetics and redox processes (Krämer & Singh)
3. Exercise and exam (30 points): Env. organic chemistry (Zumstein & Pati)
4. Exercise and exam (30 points): Analytical chemistry (Hüffer, Göldner, vd Kammer, Breuninger, Krämer)
5. Laboratory course (40 points): Experiments, reports, and safety (Pati)
2. Exercise and exam (30 points): Thermodynamic modelling and kinetics and redox processes (Krämer & Singh)
3. Exercise and exam (30 points): Env. organic chemistry (Zumstein & Pati)
4. Exercise and exam (30 points): Analytical chemistry (Hüffer, Göldner, vd Kammer, Breuninger, Krämer)
5. Laboratory course (40 points): Experiments, reports, and safety (Pati)
Reading list
All literature will be provided on moodle
Association in the course directory
MES-2
Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 09:27