Aquatic Chemistry is a foundational course designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds, such as life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Following a mathematical approach, students will learn multidisciplinary concepts in electrostatics, physical chemistry, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, and surface science. Course lectures would entail discussions among students and the instructor on these concepts as well as the ramifications of aquatic chemistry on various natural phenomena. Particular emphasis is put on sharpening students’ critical thinking and quantitative skills via a problem based learning (PBL) approach that is underpinned by an individual project.

On completion of this course students will:

- Recognize the terminology and concepts of aquatic chemistry in scientific papers and popular media;

- Understand the nature of molecular water leading to hydrogen bonding, ion-dipole interactions implicated in salt dissolution;

- Be able to critically review factors and mechanisms underlying weak acid/base speciation and gas–liquid equilibrium;

- Have knowledge and an appreciation of how to quantitatively analyze aqueous solutions across natural and applied sciences.