BIOR52 Applied Ecotoxicology 15 ECTS credits
Course description
This course is an advanced course in biology aiming to provide understanding and practical knowledge of how ecotoxicological theories and models are applied and implemented by different stakeholders in society, mainly outside academia. An overall aim is to identify the role of ecotoxicology in society and to practice use of your knowledge of ecotoxicology to resolve issues or problems caused by the use of chemicals in society. We will highlight present and historical case studies (f ex Minamata and BTKemi) and practice how to develop strategies to handle and communicate these and similar issues in academia, authorities and the rest of society. Learning activities are in the form of lectures, seminars, study visits, and projects.
Study visits
During the course we attend several study visits to experience how ecotoxicology is implemented in society. We visit chemical industry, consulting agencies, waste treatment industry, remediation facilities, and authorities to get a broad spectrum of activities where ecotoxicology knowledge is applied.
Projects
Two larger projects are performed during the course. A probabilistic environmental risk analysis is conducted using risk software on a student chosen case of chemical use in society, f ex human pharmaceuticals, pesticides, anti-foulants or personal care products. The project is presented by the student at the end of the corse as a written article and a poster. The second project is an applied project from society. Actors in society: industry, consulting agencies, municipalities, regional county boards, NGOs, KEMI, coast guards, police, prosecution authority, university etc, send in issues and problems that the students will address during the course. This project is performed individually and presented at the end of the course in a written report and orally.
Examination
At the end of the course there is an open seminar in the form of a conference where the students present the projects. There is no written exam, and knowledge will be tested during seminars and written and oral presentations.
And then...
This course provides tools and skills to perform ecotoxicology related work at different workplaces in society and also provide a network of potential employers of graduated students with sound knowledge of ecotoxicology.
Page manager: Inger Ekström
Questions about the website: Web Group
Publisher: Department of Biology
Last modified 1 Feb 2013
Lotta Persmark
Student Advisor
Education office
Phone:
+46462223728
E-mail:
Lotta.Persmark@biol.lu.se
Olof Berglund
Senior Lecturer
Aquatic ecology
Phone:
+46462223750
E-mail:
Olof.Berglund@biol.lu.se
The course will be given in English during the first part of the spring semester.