CHEM 105 Chemistry and the Environment
In this course, the particular environmental challenges faced by New York City provide context for students to learn the foundations of chemistry and develop basic skills in experimental science. Lectures are complemented by field sampling expeditions and hands-on laboratory measurements. The course begins with the study of the Earth’s atmosphere and the chemistry of air pollution, ozone depletion, and global warming. The next set of topics focuses on the hydrosphere, with study of water quality and various pollutants, including combined sewer overflow and acid rain. Additional topics may include the science of plastics, including city recycling processes, and the chemical content of park soil. In this course, students use New York City as their laboratory, doing water quality testing in local waterways. This culminates in a final project for which students present their original data and report on its environmental implications. This course is intended for non-science majors and cannot be credited towards the Major Requirements for Biology (but may be taken as an elective). Two-hour lecture and one-hour lab.
Cross Listed Courses
Same as
ENV 105