Kristopher McNeill: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018 |  |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Kristopher McNeill |
| Field | Environmental Chemistry |
| Address | Organische Umweltchemie ETH Zürich, CHN F 31.2 Universitätstrasse 16 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 47 55 |
| kristopher.mcneill@env.ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.envchem.ethz.ch |
| Department | Environmental Systems Science |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701-0201-00L | Introduction to Environmental Organic Chemistry | 5 credits | 4G | M. Sander, K. McNeill | |
| Abstract | This course presents significant organic environmental pollutants and the physical-chemical bases required to understand their environmental behavior, and deepens this knowledge through exercises. The most important analytical methods for the qualitative and quantitative determination of organic pollutants in environmental samples are discussed. | ||||
| Objective | The students are able to - name and recognise the most important classes of environmentally-relevant anthropogenic chemicals. - explain, on the basis of physical-chemical foundations, the most important processes which determine the environmental behavior of organic pollutants. - name fundamental methods of trace analysis of organic pollutants in environmental sampling. - propose experimental methods for determining substance-specific properties. - identify, on the basis of chemical structure, the processes relevant for the environmental behavior of a compound. - critically evaluate published work and data. | ||||
| Content | - Overview of the most important classes of environmental organic pollutants - Molecular interactions that determine the partitioning behavior (adsorption and absorption processes) of organic compounds between different environmental compartments (gas,liquid,solid) - Physical-chemical properties (vapor pressure, aqueous solubility, air-water partition constant, organic solvent-water partition constants, etc) and partitioning behavior of organic compounds between environmentally relevant phases (air, aerosols, soil, water, biota) - Basics of trace analytical methods to determine organic componds (enrichment techniques, separation (chromatography), detection) - Chemical transformation reactions of organic pollutants in aquatic and in terrestrial systems (reactions with nucleophiles incl. hydrolysis, elimination, addition) | ||||
| Lecture notes | Script will be distributed | ||||
| Literature | Schwarzenbach, R.P., P.M. Gschwend, and D.M. Imboden. Environmental Organic Chemistry. 2nd Ed. Wiley, New York, 1313 p.(2003) Goss, K.U. and Schwarzenbach, R.P. (2003). "Rules of thumb for assessing equilibrium partitioning of organic compounds-success and pitfalls", Journal of Chemical Education, 80, 4, 450-455. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Die Lehrveranstaltung richtet sich nicht nur an jene Studierenden, welche sich später chemisch vertiefen wollen, sondern ausdrücklich auch an alle jene, welche sich mit der Problematik von organischen Schadstoffen in der Umwelt vertraut machen wollen, um dieses Wissen in anderen Vertiefungen anzuwenden | ||||
| 701-0225-00L | Organic Chemistry | 2 credits | 2V | K. McNeill | |
| Abstract | Basics of Organic Chemistry. Reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry (substitutions, additions, eliminations, condensations, electrophilic aromatic substitution and NMR spectroscopy) | ||||
| Objective | The students know the basic reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry. They are able to understand and formulate simple organic reactions. | ||||
| Content | Descriptive chemistry of functional groups (alkyl halides, alkenes, aromatic systems, carbonyls). Reaction mechanisms (substitutions, additions, eliminations, condensations, electrophilic aromatic substitution). NMR spectroscopy. | ||||
| Literature | Carsten Schmuck, Basisbuch Organische Chemie, Pearson | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Der Stoff der Basischemie wird vorausgesetzt. | ||||
| 701-1302-00L | Term Paper 2: Seminar Prerequisite: Term Paper 1: Writing (701-1303-00L). | 2 credits | 1S | M. Ackermann, L. Winkel, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, D. Or, M. H. Schroth, B. Wehrli | |
| Abstract | This class is the 2nd part of a series and participation is conditional on the successful completion of the Term paper Writing class (701-1303-00L). The results from the term paper written during the winter term are presented to the other students and advisors and discussed. | ||||
| Objective | The goal of the term paper Seminars is to train the student's ability to communicate the results to a wider audience and the ability to respond to questions and comments. | ||||
| Content | Each student presents the results of the term paper to the other students and advisors and responds to questions and comments from the audience. | ||||
| Lecture notes | None | ||||
| Literature | Term paper | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | The term papers will be made publically available after each student had the opportunity to make revisions. There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the presentation and ensuing discussion. | ||||
| 701-1303-00L | Term Paper 1: Writing  | 5 credits | 6A | L. Winkel, N. Gruber, J. Hering, R. Kretzschmar, M. Lever, K. McNeill, D. Or, B. Wehrli | |
| Abstract | The ability to critically evaluate original (scientific) literature and to summarize the information in a succinct manner is an important skill for any student. This course aims to practise this ability, requiring each student to write a term paper on a topic of relevance for research in the areas of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics. | ||||
| Objective | The goal of the term paper is to train the student's ability to critically evaluate a well-defined set of research subjects, and to summarize the findings concisely in a paper of scientific quality. The paper will be evaluated based on its ability to communicate an understanding of a topic, and to identify key outstanding questions. Results from this term paper will be presented to the fellow students and involved faculty in the following term (Term paper seminars class) | ||||
| Content | Each student is expected to write a paper with a length of approximately 15 pages. The students can choose from a list of topics prepared by the supervisors, but the final topic will be determined based on a balance of choice and availability. The students will be guided and advised by their advisors throughout the term. The paper itself should contain the following elements: Motivation and context of the given topic (25%), Concise presentation of the state of the science (50%), Identification of open questions and perhaps outline of opportunities for research (25). In addition, the accurate use of citations, attribution of ideas, and the judicious use of figures, tables, equations and references are critical components of a successful paper. Specialized knowledge is not expected, nor required, neither is new research. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Guidelines and supplementary material will be handed out at the beginning of the class. | ||||
| Literature | Will be identified based on the chosen topic. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | Each term paper will be reviewed by one fellow student and one faculty. The submission of a written review is a prerequisite for obtaining the credit points. There is no final exam. Grade is assigned based on the quality of the term paper and the submission of another student's review. Students are expected to take Term Paper Writing and Term Paper Seminar classes in sequence. | ||||
| 701-1701-00L | Human Health, Nutrition and Environment: Term Paper Only for students of the Major Human Health, Nutrition and Environment. | 6 credits | 13A | J. Nuessli Guth, T. Julian, K. McNeill, M. B. Zimmermann | |
| Abstract | Writing of a review paper of scientific quality on a topic in the domain of Human Health, Nutrition and Environment based on critical evaluation of scientific literature. | ||||
| Objective | - Acquisition of knowledge in the field of the review paper - Assessment of original literature as well as synthesis and analysis of the findings - Practising of academic writing in English - Giving an oral presentation with discussion on the topic of the review paper | ||||
| Content | Topics are offered in the domains of the major 'Human Health, Nutrition and Environment' covering 'Public Health', 'Infectious Diseases', 'Nutrition and Health' and 'Environment and Health'. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Guidelines will be handed out in the beginning. | ||||
| Literature | Literature will be identified based on the topic chosen. | ||||