GV3AECNU: Air Pollution: Effects and Control

Module code: GV3AECNU

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Hong Yang , email: h.yang4@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Anbu Johnson, email: anbu.johnson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 29 May 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aims of this module are:  

1. To promote an understanding of the nature and effects of human-induced air pollution;  
2. To assess some current controversies on the effects of air pollutants and the appropriate control measures to be applied.   
3. To understand the interface between science and politics in coming to decisions about air pollution.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Give an account of the origins and effects of the major air pollutants and know something of the history of air pollution
2. Understand the political and scientific basis for legislation affecting the control of air pollution
3. Be able to evaluate the evidence bearing on current controversies about air pollution
4. Know the major sources of data relating to air pollution

Module content

Air pollution is a topic of considerable scientific, economic and political importance, and is steadily rising up the political agenda. This module should enable students to understand the issues and give them a basis for evaluating the controversies which should be useful in other areas as well. Topics covered will be: History of air pollution, concentrating on the UK; The origins and effects of the “classical” air pollutants – sulphur dioxide and smoke; Nitrogen oxides and particulates; Ozone and other secondary pollutants; Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases; Acid rain; Indoor air pollution; Managing air pollution: how decisions are made and what legislation is in force; Air pollution controversies; Air Pollution and health; Sources of information about pollution.  

Students will be expected to follow up the lectures with their own reading, using both conventional and internet sources. Students will be trained in the use of the peer-reviewed research literature and encouraged to use it.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

One two-hour session per week between Weeks 1 and 11 in Semester 1. The sessions include lectures interspersed with discussions, debates, and classroom exercises. Adversarial student-led seminars are used to cover some of the issues, in which groups take an opposing viewpoint about an air pollution issue.  

Students will work in groups to collect air samples and measure air quality on campus in Weeks 7-11. 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.