ENVB40350 Appl. Ecotoxicology (On-line)

Academic Year 2023/2024

Ecotoxicology examines the effects of toxic chemicals on organisms at different organizational levels from individual to ecosystem. As an interdisciplinary science, Ecotoxicology combines elements of biology, ecology, toxicology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and statistics. This module will introduce the student to Ecotoxicology and its role in the monitoring of ecosystem health. The course will include:
1. An introduction to the principles of Ecotoxicology;
2. The origin of pollutants and factors affecting their fate in the environment and within organisms;
3. The effects of pollutants and the methods used to assess these effects at different organizational levels: Ecosystem, Community, Population, Whole organism, Tissue, Cellular and Subcellular;
4. Virtual laboratory sessions outlining the methodologies of two commonly utilized tests in Ecotoxicology laboratories.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students will:
Describe the origin, and understand the factors that influence the fate of many common pollutants;
Understand the role of Ecotoxicology in chemical safety assessment;
Give examples of biological indicators, toxicity tests and biomarkers used to monitor pollutant effects at each level of biological organization;
Run a Lemna minor (duckweed) growth inhibition (EC50) test;
Run a 48h Daphnia magna immobilisation test;
Write a laboratory report in the style of a scientific paper including references to outside materials.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

77
Online Learning

24
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Online lectures, discussion groups, critical writing, case-based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Online 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50
Assignment: The assignment consists of two written reports worth 20% each and discussion board posts worth 10% Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Grace Cott Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Elke Eichelmann Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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