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ENVB40350

Academic Year 2024/2025

Appl. Ecotoxicology (On-line) (ENVB40350)

Subject:
Environmental Biology
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Grace Cott
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Online
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

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 Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered

Not yet recorded.

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
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