Every winter semester
10 Credit points
For information on the duration of the modul, refer to the courses of study in which the module is used.
During the courses of this module, students acquire fundamental knowledge of atmospheric chemistry and the carbon cycle, which is necessary for describing climate-relevant processes. In addition, they discuss selected (waste) substances regarding their fate and impact on the environment and ecosystems. The module aims to equip students with the skills needed to describe central processes and parameters that influence ecosystems and climate. Students will learn how to apply their knowledge about fundamental processes from chemistry and physics to complex systems such as the Earth, ocean, and atmosphere systems. They will also learn to make informed assumptions to reduce these processes to the essential ones, thereby creating simpler and more comprehensible relationships.
The content covers basic concepts of atmospheric chemistry, the carbon cycle, and flow of chemical substance. This includes, among other topics, an introduction to the structure of the atmosphere and its physical description, transport and reaction kinetics in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and aerosols, as well as kinetics and the treatment of basic elements of thermodynamics. Furthermore, it addresses carbon reservoirs in the different Earth spheres, carbon exchange rates between these spheres, the influence of carbon on the climate (particularly carbon dioxide and methane), and strategies for carbon storage and utilization. Within the topic of (waste) substance treatment, aspects such as toxicity, the fate of materials like (micro)plastics, nanoparticles, distribution and transport, as well as biodegradability are discussed.
Advanced knowledge of physical chemistry
—
Module structure: 1 bPr 1
| Degree programme | Recommended start 3 | Duration | Mandatory option 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainable Chemistry / Master of Science [FsB vom 05.03.2026, gültig ab Wintersemester 2026/27] | 1. | 2 semesters | Obligation |
The system can perform an automatic check for completeness for this module.