EMT401

Environmental Monitoring Systems And Techniques

Sciences
400 level
3 credit units
81 pages
8 units

This course introduces students to environmental monitoring systems and techniques. It covers the general principles of environmental monitoring, including auditing and impact assessment. The course explores the components of environmental monitoring programs, strategies for organizing monitoring programs for sites and resources, and the influence of meteorology on air pollution. It also examines atmospheric dispersion models, elements of air pollution control, pollutant interaction with soil and vegetation, and biotesting/bioassay principles.

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About this course

Difficulty: Intermediate
Study hours: 120 hours
Maths: Intermediate
Content: Theoretical, practical, case study
Practical work: Yes

Before you start

Basic knowledge of environmental science
Introductory chemistry

How it is assessed

Assignments
Tutor Marked Assessments
Final Examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of EMT401, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

EMT401 · UNIT 1: DEFINITION, GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

The natural environment consist of four intermingle systems namely, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. These four systems are in constant change and such changes are affected by human activities and vice versa (Kärnbränslehantering, 2004).

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What you should be able to do

Explain the principles and objectives of environmental monitoring.
Describe the components of environmental monitoring programs.
Apply strategies for organizing monitoring programs for sites and resources.
Analyze the influence of meteorology on air pollution.
Utilize atmospheric dispersion models to predict pollutant concentrations.
Evaluate the mechanisms of pollutant interaction with soil and vegetation.
Apply biotesting and bioassay techniques to assess environmental toxicity.

What it prepares you for

Careers

Environmental Scientist
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Monitoring Technician
Air Quality Analyst
Sustainability Manager

Where it is applied

Environmental Consulting
Government Regulatory Agencies
Manufacturing
Oil and Gas
Agriculture
Waste Management

Tools

Air dispersion modeling software
GIS software

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

Module 2: Air Pollution
Unit 5: Atmosphere Dispersion Models
Understanding the complex chemical and physical processes involved in atmospheric dispersion requires a strong foundation in physics and chemistry.
Module 3: Soil and Vegetation
Unit 7: Mechanism of Pollutant Interaction with Soil and Vegetation
Requires understanding of complex chemical reactions and biological interactions within the soil ecosystem.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 98 hours in total. Yours will differ.

Week 1Module 1: Introduction
- Unit 1: Definition, General Principles of Environmental Monitoring · 8 hours
  Define the term environment and its components.. Discuss the nature and characteristics of the hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.. Explain the interrelationships between these components..
Week 2Module 1: Introduction
- Unit 2: General Principles of Environmental Monitoring · 8 hours
  Discuss the concepts of auditing, environmental impact assessment, and environmental monitoring.. Explain the impetus and history of environmental monitoring.. State the objectives and purpose of environmental monitoring..
Week 3Module 1: Introduction
- Unit 3: Strategies of Organizing and Monitoring Programmes for Site and Resources · 8 hours
  Explain the process of organizing a monitoring program.. Discuss the specific strategies for monitoring sites and resources.. Classify the various monitoring techniques based on resources..
Week 4Module 2: Air Pollution
- Unit 4: Meteorology Air Pollution · 8 hours
  Define air pollution meteorology.. Identify chemical air pollutants and their impact on human health.. Identify biological air pollutants and their impact on human health..
Week 5Module 2: Air Pollution
- Unit 5: Atmosphere Dispersion Models · 8 hours
  Discuss the types of atmospheric dispersion models.. Explain the Gaussian-plume models and their characteristics.. Discuss the uses of atmospheric dispersion models..
Week 6Module 2: Air Pollution
- Unit 6: Elements of Air Pollution Control · 8 hours
  Define atmospheric control.. Discuss the elements of atmospheric control.. Explain the procedure and techniques for air quality monitoring..
Week 7Module 3: Soil and Vegetation
- Unit 7: Mechanism of Pollutant Interaction with Soil and Vegetation · 8 hours
  Explain the sources, process, and interaction of pollutants with soil.. Explain the sampling and monitoring techniques of soil.. Mention the various instruments used for soil quality monitoring..
Week 8Module 3: Soil and Vegetation
- Unit 7: Mechanism of Pollutant Interaction with Soil and Vegetation · 8 hours
  Explain the sources, process, and interaction of pollutants with vegetation.. Explain the sampling and monitoring techniques of vegetation.. Mention the various instruments used for vegetation monitoring..
Week 9Module 4: Biotesting
- Unit 8: General Principles of Biotesting /Bioassay · 8 hours
  State what Biotesting/Bioassay is.. Explain the principles of Biotesting/Bioassay.. Mention the various types of Bioassays..
Week 10Module 4: Biotesting
- Unit 8: General Principles of Biotesting /Bioassay · 8 hours
  Identify the advantages and disadvantages of bioassay.. Discuss the applicability of bioassays.. Discuss environmental toxicity and the major types environmental contaminants..
Week 11Module 1: Introduction
- Units 1-3: Review and Assignments · 6 hours
  Review all units in Module 1. Complete assignments related to Module 1.
Week 12Modules 2-4: Review
- Units 4-8: Review and Assignments · 6 hours
  Review all units in Modules 2-4. Work on tutor-marked assignments.
Week 13Course Revision
- All Units: Final Revision · 6 hours
  Comprehensive course review. Finalize all assignments.

Preparing for the exam

What to do

Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and definitions.
Practice applying atmospheric dispersion models to different scenarios.
Review case studies related to environmental monitoring and impact assessment.
Focus on understanding the relationships between pollutants, soil, vegetation, and human health.
Practice answering essay questions related to environmental regulations and control measures.
Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 dispersion concepts
Review all TMAs

Questions students ask about this course

What is EMT401 about?

How many units does EMT401 have?

EMT401, Environmental Monitoring Systems And Techniques, has 8 units across 1 module, over 81 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is EMT401?

EMT401 carries 3 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.

Is EMT401 hard?

EMT401 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does EMT401 take to study?

About 120 hours of study, spread across its 8 units.

How is EMT401 assessed?

EMT401 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What do I need before starting EMT401?

Basic knowledge of environmental science Introductory chemistry

What can I do with EMT401?

Environmental Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Monitoring Technician, Air Quality Analyst and Sustainability Manager.