BB526: Basic Ecotoxicology
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish
EKA: N100009102, N100009112
Assessment: Second examiner: External, Second examiner: None
Grading: 7-point grading scale, Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N100009101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 19-01-2024
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Approved - active
Comment
The course has limited entry. The following criterias are taken into consideration when seats are assigned.
- Students who have the course as a mandatory part of their study programme. These will always be assigned to the course, even if the course is filled.
- Other students enrolled in a Natural Science study programme with the most ECTS
The academic enviroments at The faculty of Science manages the prioritisation and at waiting list is established and will then be made aware from the faculty. The waiting list will not be transferred to the following year.
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge of basic chemistry and biology at the level achieved in the first year courses.
- Be able to use spreadsheets for data analysis and data presentation (figures, tables etc.) of experimental results.
Participant limit
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand and apply basic toxicological and eco-toxicological concepts and methodology. The course also aims to give students insights in the environmental consequences of human activities including chemical discharge. The above mentioned are important in regard to future employment witin environmental administration and regulation, the medical industry or high school teaching, and for biologists interested in wokring with chemical safety, risk assessment of chemicals, environmental pollution, biodiversity and sustainability.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in mandatory courses within chemistry, ecology, physiology, molecular and cellular biology and gives an academic basis for studying elective courses such as Mechanistic Toxicology, Risk Assessment of Chemicals and Toxicology.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Identify and discuss central ecotoxicological theories and problems
- Explain discharge, transport and degradation of chemicals to or in the environment.
- Explain the mechanisms underlying the uptake, metabolism, elimination and effects in humans and animals.
- Describe and explain the dispersal and effects of pollutants in the environment and in humans (from molecular to population effects).
- Explain the general principles for environmental risk assessment of chemicals and understand the use of biomarkers.
- Plan and perform an ecotoxicological experiment in theory and practice in smaller groups.
- Analyse, summarise and interpret ecotoxicological data and relatethe results to existing knowledge, theories and literature.
- Present and interpret data both in writing and graphically (figures/graphs)
Content
The course covers the following main topics:
- Toxicological and ecotoxicological terms and methods today and in a historical perspective.
- LC-50 determination
- Metabolisation of chemicals in animals and humans
- Uptake and elimination kinetics
- The toxicology and ecotoxicology for endocrine disrupting chemicals, metals, chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT, PCB, dioxins), hydrocarbons, acid rain, radioactive elements, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, PFAS, micro- og nanoplastic, and emerging chemicals.
- General principles for risk assessment of chemicals.
- Experimental projects with a common overarching theme.
- Basic statistical analysis.
- Handling a primary scientific literature.
Literature
The book ‘Økotoksikologi' (only in Danish) by Poul Bjerregaard
Research papers
Videoes and online activities
Research papers
Videoes and online activities
See Iislearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
December
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Examination part | Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) | N100009101, BB526: Basic Ecotoxicology |
Tests
Written exam
EKA
N100009102
Assessment
Second examiner: External
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Exam number
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Duration
2 hours
Examination aids
The exam is without aids. However, it is allowed to use the standard build in calculator in Windows/MAC.
Internet is not allowed during the exam. However, you may the course site in itslearning in connection with filling out the multiple-choice questions.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)
Timing
Autumn
Tests
Report based on laboratory exercise
EKA
N100009112
Assessment
Second examiner: None
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course
ECTS value
0
Additional information
The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a).
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
- Intro phase (lectures) - 30 hours
- Training phase: 20 hours, including 15 hours tutorials and 5 hours laboratoryproject
The teaching will consist of introductory lectures (30 hours) on the subjects, which then will be worked out in detail in the form of dialogue through questions or group work in the tutorial lessons (15 hours) and 5 hours lab work. The laboratory work is closely linked to the theory from the course about determination of toxicity and uptake kinetics. The laboratory part begins with tutorials in which the students themselves carry out calculations of exposure concentrations and dilutions for their projects. A feedback-based teaching approach (student-student and teacher-student) is applied when working with data handling and presentation.
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
Timetable
Administrative Unit
Team at Educational Law & Registration
Offered in
Recommended course of study
Transition rules
Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study.
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list.
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.