2022 Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Chemical Science and Engineering Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Introduction to the Frontiers of Environmental Chemistry II
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Akihiko Ito
- Class Format
- Lecture (Livestream)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Intensive
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- CAP.I482
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2022
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
[Summary] This course covers a wide range of topics on greenhouse gases spanning from basic biogeochemical cycles to recent mitigation options by emission reduction. Main lecture topics include carbon and nitrogen cycles, budgets of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide of terrestrial ecosystems, and evaluation methods not only by observation but also by new model simulation. Several recent topics about environmental studies such as COP26 are also given.
[Aim] The main objectives of this course are to obtain basic knowledge on global warming issue and to understand the missions of science to solve environmental problems. It is important for students in applied chemistry to understand the biogeochemical cycles of greenhouse gases, which gather attention from the society. Learning recent progresses in model simulation method to estimate regional to global greenhouse gas budget is profitable for students.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will have following knowledge and capabilities.
1) Explain greenhouse gas dynamics from the viewpoint of biogeochemical cycles
2) Understand the methods to evaluate global greenhouse gas budget
3) Acquire the knowledge of recent trends in climate change mitigation
Keywords
Climate change, Greenhouse gas, Biogeochemical modeling, Terrestrial ecosystem
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lectures will be conducted by writing on blackboards, using power point slides.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 1) Climate change and biogeochemical cycles 2) Interannual variability of carbon cycle: an example of the Pinatubo carbon anomaly 3) Global methane budget 4) Nitrogen cycle (focusing on nitrous oxide) and human activities 5) Fixation of atmospheric CO2 by plants 6) Soil biogeochemistry and greenhouse gas emission 7) Earth system model and global warming mitigation | a) Explain greenhouse gas dynamics from the viewpoint of biogeochemical cycles b) Understand the methods to evaluate global greenhouse gas budget c) Acquire the knowledge of recent trends in climate change mitigation |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Textbook(s)
None required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Only Japanese books of reference are listed because this class will be given in Japanese.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Attendance is taken in every class. Full attendance are compulsory. Report on relation between own study theme and chemical substances cycles and/or cutting-edge technologies introduced is assessed.
Related courses
- CAP.I405 ： Environmental Chemistry
- CAP.I419 ： Analytical Techniques for Environmental Chemistry
- CAP.I536 ： Advanced Material Cycle Analysis
- CAP.I435 ： Advanced Geochemistry
- CAP.I481 ： Introduction to the Frontiers of Environmental Chemistry I
Prerequisites
No prerequisites