ENVS3004Ecotoxicology

Course handbook

Description

The course provides students with an introduction to the field of ecotoxicology: the study of the fate and effects of contaminants in ecosystems. Students will gain knowledge of the principles and current theoretical issues within the field. The course models the process of conducting collaborative scientific research in the field of ecotoxicology from hypothesis formulation, to design, sampling, analysis and dissemination of findings through a variety of scientific contexts. As such, the course provides students with an understanding of experimental design and analysis, designing and performing ecotoxicological research, and the skills of presenting findings in both written and oral scientific settings.

Availability2019 Course Timetables

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Navigate and synthesise the scientific literature to gain a detailed knowledge of the sub-discipline area of ecotoxicology;

2. Apply knowledge of ecotoxicological theory to new environmental situations;

3. Interpret, summarise, validate and critique ecotoxicological data from the scientific literature;

4. Collect and analyse field and/or laboratory data.

5. Interpret and analyse statistical data;

6. Make informed management decisions based on data;

7. Work as part of a team to design, plan, carry out, analyse and report the findings of an experiment in ecotoxicology;

8. Communicate findings to a scientific audience in both written and oral formats.

Content

• Contaminants and their fate in ecosystems

Major classes of contaminants Routes by which contaminants enter ecosystems

• Environmental fate of contaminants in individuals and ecosystems
• The effects of contaminants on individual organisms

Toxicity testing Biochemical and molecular effects of contaminants Physiological, organ level, individual and behavioural effects of contaminants Interactive effects of contaminants Biomonitors

• Biomarkers
• Effects of contaminants on populations and communities

Population level effects and population dynamics Evolutionary responses to environmental stressors Community and ecosystem level effects Experimental design and data analysis

• Ecological risk assessment and environmental management
• Bioremediation

Requisite

This course replaces BIOL3350. If you have successfully completed BIOL3350 you cannot

enrol in this course.

Assumed knowledge

ENVS3004EcotoxicologyThe course provides students with an introduction to the field of ecotoxicology: the study of the fate and effects of contaminants in ecosystems. Students will gain knowledge of the principles and current theoretical issues within the field. The course models the process of conducting collaborative scientific research in the field of ecotoxicology from hypothesis formulation, to design, sampling, analysis and dissemination of findings through a variety of scientific contexts. As such, the course provides students with an understanding of experimental design and analysis, designing and performing ecotoxicological research, and the skills of presenting findings in both written and oral scientific settings.FSCITFaculty of Science723School of Environmental and Life Sciences1030005940Semester 1 - 2019CALLAGHANCallaghan2019STAT1070; BIOL1002 or BIOL1070 (or BIOL1050)

Contaminants and their fate in ecosystemsMajor classes of contaminants

Routes by which contaminants enter ecosystems

Environmental fate of contaminants in individuals and ecosystems

The effects of contaminants on individual organismsToxicity testing

Biochemical and molecular effects of contaminants

Physiological, organ level, individual and behavioural effects of contaminants

Interactive effects of contaminants

Biomonitors

Biomarkers

Effects of contaminants on populations and communitiesPopulation level effects and population dynamics

Evolutionary responses to environmental stressors

Community and ecosystem level effects

Experimental design and data analysis

Ecological risk assessment and environmental management

Bioremediation YOn successful completion of this course, students will be able to:1Navigate and synthesise the scientific literature to gain a detailed knowledge of the sub-discipline area of ecotoxicology;2Apply knowledge of ecotoxicological theory to new environmental situations;3Interpret, summarise, validate and critique ecotoxicological data from the scientific literature;4Collect and analyse field and/or laboratory data.5Interpret and analyse statistical data;6Make informed management decisions based on data;7Work as part of a team to design, plan, carry out, analyse and report the findings of an experiment in ecotoxicology;8Communicate findings to a scientific audience in both written and oral formats. This course replaces BIOL3350. If you have successfully completed BIOL3350 you cannot

enrol in this course.Written Assignment: CritiquesWritten Assignment: Draft Paper, Peer Review, Final Paper and Letter to EditorProposal / Plan: Research ProposalFormal Examination: Final Examination CallaghanLaboratoryFace to Face On Campus21hour(s)per Term0Full Term0LectureFace to Face On Campus2hour(s)per Week for0Full Term0Student Project may include field and/or laboratory study.

Assessment items

Written Assignment: Critiques

Written Assignment: Draft Paper, Peer Review, Final Paper and Letter to Editor

Proposal / Plan: Research Proposal

Formal Examination: Final Examination

Contact hours

Callaghan