Introduction to ecotoxicological research
About the course
The students will be given an introduction to the field of ecotoxicology. More specifically, the course will give an overview of environmental contaminants and their fate in the environment, including emissions and transport of contaminants, toxicity testing, effects in biota, cocktail effects and monitoring.
In addition the students will conduct an experimental exposure study using fish at Kårvika research station. These samples will be analysed for biomarkers of exposure and effects at UiT.
The students will write a scientific report, in which they will synthetize and interpret the results and discuss them in relation to existing literature
Admission requirements
Objectives of the course
After completing BIO-2008 the student should be able to:
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of basic principles within ecotoxicology.
- Get an introduction to the process of research (from lab work to finalization of a scientific report).
- Learn how to conduct exposure studies.
- Get introduced to ecotoxicological lab methods.
- Get introduced to different work possibilities within ecotoxicology.
- Learn to write a scientific report.
Skills:
- Conduct exposure studies.
- Take biological samples and process the samples.
- Ecotoxicological lab methods.
- Write a scientific report.
General competence:
- Experimental methods.
- Basic knowledge of ecotoxicology.
- Scientific writing.
- Literature search.
Biological lab methods.
Teaching methods
Language of instruction and examination
The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.Recommended reading/syllabus
Lecture notes, the scientific report and a text book (Principles of ecotoxicology, forth edition, 2012).Assessment
A scientific report. Oral exam. Grades: Pass/fail
Re-sit examination (section 22):
Students having failed the last ordinary examination are offered a re-sit examination early in the following semester, if the course is compulsory in their study programme, otherwise given that an examination is already being arranged.
Postponed examination (sections 17 and 21):
Students with valid grounds for absence will be offered a postponed examination. Postponed take-home examination is arranged during the semester if possible, otherwise early in the following semester. Postponed written examination is held early in the following semester.
New ordinary examination (section 25):
A new ordinary examination in the teaching-free semester is not offered.See indicated sections in Regulations for examinations at the University of Tromsø for more information.
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