INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY - 2026/7

Module Overview

The module provides an overview of the industrial production of major chemicals at the larger scale, and their use in society. This includes aspects of chemical processes including economics, societal effects, health and safety, and engineering. The module also introduces the numerous interlinked chemical processes, both natural and anthropogenic, that take place within the Earth¿s environment. This includes coverage of the impact they may have for life on Earth along with potential solutions to current environmental issues.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

CHADEESINGH Ralph (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Introduction to the economic and political criteria that determines the location of large-scale chemical processes and reference to the environmental implications

Description of selected large-scale industrial processes such as soda ash, Solvay, chloroalkali, mineral acids, ammonia production and use in fertilisers, hetero- and homogeneous catalysis, metal extraction and processing. The consequenes of heavy netal contamination in the environment. 

Environmental cycles involving C, O, N, S, and P. An introduction to pollutants in the atmosphere. Water cycles and the environmental issues relating to microplastics

Renewable, nuclear, and overview of sustainable energy technologies such as fuel cells and the advantages and issues with the hydrogen economy

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

None

Assessment Strategy

The learning and teaching strategy is designed so the student can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental industrial chemical processes and of the chemistry of the environment (with links between the two). As this is a Level-4 module covering fundamental concepts and basic science, the summative assessment for this module will consist of:

Two 15% Open Book Online MCQ Class Tests. These will be scheduled in Week 5 and Week 9

A 20& coursework activity completed in groups

A 50% weighted Closed Book MCQ Examination

Formative assessment: In-class and MCQ practice problems will be released at regular intervals and parts of the course will be revisited where required (if the problems reveal areas of lower student understanding). Feedback: The students will be given detailed feedback on their performance in the practice problems and cass test so they can identify any deficiencies in understanding.

Alternative assessment: If the coursework activity is not attended, students will be expected to write a short detailed report on the manufacture and environmental impact of a chosen chemical or group of co-produced chemicals.   

Module aims

• Introduce aspects of industrial chemistry which involves the manufacture and processing of selected chemicals and the planning of the location of industrial chemical plants;
• Highlight the key considerations when undertaking larger scale chemical transformations and processes;
• Introduce the key fundamental concepts and principles of environmental chemistry, including chemical processes that occur naturally and as a result of anthropogenic activities;
• To provide a rationalisation of key environmental problems currently confronting society, and a consideration of possible solutions.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to develop a fundamental knowledge of large scale chemical processes along with an appreciation of how these process, together with naturally occurring chemical interactions can affect the wider environment. The learning and teaching methods include the following:

Approximaetley 3 hours of lecture content per week

An end of semester activity designed to consolidate knowledge and undertstanding

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: CHE1047

Other information

Due to the nature of this module, sustainability concepts (particularly around considering the circular economy and the environment) are incorporated throughout. Understanding the application of chemistry on an industrials scale will improve the students employability. The fundamental and discipline spanning nature of the content of this module means that many of the concepts will feed into subsequent modules in the Chemistry and Chemical Enginnering programmes. Examples include Materials chemistry, compulsory Inorganic and Organic chemistry modules, and modules that discuss sustainability.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2026/7 academic year.