Unprecedented human-induced environmental change has caused pollution in all compartments of the biosphere. Naturally occurring chemicals such as lead and arsenic have affected human health and the environment for millennia, with the industrial revolution leading to an explosion of synthetic chemical pollutants and effects in the last 200 years. Understanding how pollution causes harm, and how it is measured, assessed, and regulated, are key to mitigating pollution impacts on Earth and its inhabitants. The course will be delivered by industry experts, from federal and state government regulators through to pollution consultants and researchers conducting work on the ground, through a combination of lectures and workshops on the science of pollution. Discussions related to policy, regulations, and societal issues will also be held. By the end of the course, students will have a firm grasp of how pollution causes problems in the environment and practical solutions to solve pollution problems. They will be able to assess pollution and to analyse policy and regulatory options to better manage the environment at both the regional and global levels. This course aims to present environmental chemistry from an environmental lens. While some chemistry knowledge is useful, it is not essential for the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate how pollution occurs in water, soil, and biota;
2. Critically evaluate the different ways in which chemicals are assessed as pollutants;
3. Interpret how environmental issues shape policy and regulations;
4. Distinguish how pollution is regulated at national and international levels;
5. Determine effective methods to decrease pollution and its effects on the environment and human health.

Research-Led Teaching

Lab work will be conducted in this course

Field Trips

Visit to Canberra Light rail construction site.

Additional Course Costs

Minibus to travel and tutor for field work and lab work.

Examination Material or equipment

Soil and sediment samples to be analysed in a Direct Mercury Analyser

Required Resources

A reading list will be made available on Canvas before course commencement.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Other Information

As a multidisciplinary course, the instructor will provide a foundational understanding of each discipline. No extensive prior knowledge in any of the disciplines is necessary. A strong desire for learning, curiosity, and motivation are highly encouraged.

There is a compulsory field trip to the local Canberra area which does not requires additional fees.

• Field-based teaching and learning activity forms an integral and important part of many courses delivered by the Fenner School of Environment & Society. Fieldwork activities are designed to allow you to put the skills you’ve learned in the classroom into practice in new environments and provide powerful enrichment to student learning. Students should contact the Course Convenor if they have any questions.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Title: Pollution in Practice Course description:Unprecedented human-induced environmental change has caused pollution in all compartments of the biosphere. Naturally occurring chemicals such as lead and arsenic have affected human health and the environment for millennia, with the industrial revolution leading to an explosion of synthetic chemical pollutants and effects in the last 200 years. Understanding how pollution causes harm, and how it is measured, assessed, and regulated, are key to mitigating pollution impacts on Earth and its inhabitants. The course will be delivered by industry experts, from federal and state government regulators through to pollution consultants and researchers conducting work on the ground, through a combination of lectures and workshops on the science of pollution. Discussions related to policy, regulations, and societal issues will also be held. By the end of the course, students will have a firm grasp of how pollution causes problems in the environment and practical solutions to solve pollution problems. They will be able to assess pollution and to analyse policy and regulatory options to better manage the environment at both the regional and global levels. This course aims to present environmental chemistry from an environmental lens. While some chemistry knowledge is useful, it is not essential for the course. Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to: Demonstrate how pollution occurs in water, soil, and biota; Critically evaluate the different ways in which chemicals are assessed as pollutants; Interpret how environmental issues shape policy and regulations; Distinguish how pollution is regulated at national and international levels; Determine effective methods to decrease pollution and its effects on the environment and human health. Work Integrated Learning Projects The course will be delivered by industry experts, from federal and state government regulators through to pollution consultants and researchers conducting work on the ground through a combination of lectures and workshops on the science of pollution. Student projects are real-world issues supported by real world practitioners (as listed above).	The student will be required to complete the following assessment tasks to successfully complete this course: 1) Daily quizzes 10% There will be one multiple choice quiz per day each worth 1%, making a total 10% of the course marks. It will open at 3 pm and it will be closed at 12 pm of the next day. They should serve to consolidate what you have learnt in the lectures.   2) Oral assessment: Overview of an Australian Environmental Law 30% The presentation should be between 15 and 30 minutes, including 5-10 minutes for Q&A at the end. Guidelines for this assessment are given on Canvas. Time limitYour presentation should be somewhere around 15 minutes, give or take a few. Being excessively over or under the limit will affect your grade. Minimum: 10 minutesMaximum: 20 minutes Audience: Larissa and your classmates   3) Written assessment 30% Develop a conceptual site model of a chemical contamination somewhere in Australia. Use the information learned during the course to summarize the impacts of this contaminated site, and the gaps and limitations of the model (min. 1500 – max. 2000 words). Please include figures. Guidelines for this assessment are given on Canvas. 4) Group Presentation Assignment: Environmental Problem-Solving in Canberra (30%) In this group assignment, students are tasked with identifying and proposing a solution to a pollution problem currently faced on the ANU Acton campus. This project encourages collaborative problem-solving, creative thinking, and practical application of environmental management concepts in a way that mimics how such problems are addressed in industry and government.Please refer to instructions on the Canvas page.   * Written assessment to be uploaded on Canvas a week after classes end (on Monday the 22nd September).

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Daily quizzes	10 %	12/09/2025	14/09/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Oral assessment: Overview of an Australian Environmental Law	30 %	05/09/2025	06/10/2025	3
Written assessment	30 %	22/09/2025	06/10/2025	1,2,3
Group Presentation Assignment: Environmental Problem-Solving on the ANU Acton Campus	30 %	12/09/2025	06/10/2025	2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

80% participation is expected

Examination(s)

The assessment will be conducted by Larissa Schneider and Julia Jasonsmith

Assessment Task 1

Daily quizzes

There will be one multiple choice quiz per day each worth 1%, making a total 10% of the course marks. It will open at 3 pm and it will be closed at 12 pm of the next day. They should serve to consolidate what you have learnt in the lectures.

Weight: 10%

Assessment Task 2

Oral assessment: Overview of an Australian Environmental Law

The presentation should be between

15 and 30 minutes, with 5-10 minutes for Q&A at the end. Guidelines for this assessment are given on Canvas.

Weight: 30%

Assessment Task 3

Written assessment

Develop a conceptual site model of a chemical contamination somewhere in Australia. Use the information learned during the course to summarise the impacts of this contaminated site, and the gaps and limitations of the model (min. 1500 – max. 2000 words). Please include figures.

Guidelines for this assessment are given on Canvas.

Weight: 30%

Assessment Task 4

Group Presentation Assignment: Environmental Problem-Solving on the ANU Acton Campus

In this group assignment, students are tasked with identifying and proposing a solution to pollution problem currently faced on the ANU Acton campus. This project encourages collaborative problem-solving, creative thinking, and practical application of environmental management concepts in a way that mimic show such problems are addressed in industry and government.

Please refer to instructions on the Canvas page.

Weight: 30%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students