course-details-portlet

TVM4110

Water Chemistry

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction of equilibrium chemistry principles in aquatic systems. This course is designed for engineers who are often required to understand the composition of solutions and direction of changes occurring during treatment or in environmental systems. The concepts are introduced theoretically using real-world examples and practically in laboratory exercises. After completing the water chemistry class, the student will be able to interpret and communicate results related to water quality. Therefore the course curriculum include the following topics: chemical equilibrium principles of acids-bases, dissolution-precipitation, titration, gas-liquid equilibrium, oxidation-reduction, complexation and water quality analysis and quality control.

Learning outcome

Objective

  1. To develop theoretical aquatic chemistry basis and use the principles for the evaluation of water quality. Emphasis is given to develop an understanding of chemical equilibrium calculations.
  2. To analyse how aquatic chemistry principles can be applied in natural water resources and in drinking water and wastewater treatment.

Specific learning objectives

At the end of the course the students should be able to:

  • Perform a description of aqueous system including concentration, activities, activity coefficients, and pH of equilibrium.
  • Develop mathematical equations such as mass balance, charge balance, and equilibrium constants for systems at equilibrium.
  • Interpret and predict acid and base behavior in aquatic systems.
  • Use chemical equilibrium software for solving water chemistry problems.
  • Perform quantitative and qualitative interpretations of titration and be familiar with the concept of alkalinity and buffer capacity.
  • Explain how gas and liquid equilibrium affects the pH and buffer intensity of solutions.
  • Calculate whether or not a solid precipitate in aqueous systems.
  • Perform water quality analyses and interpret the results.
  • Solve problems in groups and present solutions orally.

Learning methods and activities

The teaching methods include problem-solving and class lectures. Laboratory work must be approved in order to attend the exam.

Compulsory assignments

  • Presentation

Further on evaluation

The examination in this course has two components. An oral exam, duration approx. 45 minutes (60% of the final grade). A laboratory report will be submitted for 40% of the final grade.

In addition, the student must do a presentation of the problem-based learning activity. There is no grade for the presentation but the participation is mandatory.

Course materials

Textbook: Mark M. Benjamin, 2015, Water chemistry, Waveland Press, second edition, ISBN 1-4786-2308-X (required) References: 1. Zumdahl & Zumdahl, Chemistry, 8th edition, Brooks/Cole, 2010 2. Sawyer, McCarty & Parkin, Chemistry for Environmental Engineering, McGraw Hill, 2003 3. Stumm & Morgan, aquatic Chemistry. Third edition, John Wiley&Sons. 1995

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SIB5015 7.5 sp
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Water Supply and Wastewater Systems
  • Water and Wastewater Engineering
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2025

Laboratory report
Weighting 40/100 Date Submission 2025-05-28 Time Submission 14:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment
Oral exam
Weighting 60/100 Examination aids Code E Date 2025-05-28 Time 09:00 Duration 45 minutes

Re-sit examination - Summer 2025

Oral exam
Weighting 60/100 Examination aids Code E Duration 45 minutes