Ecotoxicology

Studiewijzer 2015/2016

Globale inhoud

Content Practical

The majority of environmental contamination consists of mixtures of compounds, whereas the majority of ecotoxicity tests deals with the effect of single compounds on single organisms. Moreover, the effects of complex mixtures are hard to predict from the effects of the single compounds. During the practical we will therefore perform experimental research on the additive effects of compounds in complex mixtures. Metals are chosen as model compounds and daphnids as model organisms.

Learning objectives Practical

• The ability to design, plan and perform laboratorium ecotoxicity tests and to compose equitoxic mixtures of toxicants
• The ability to interpret the results of laboratorium ecotoxicity tests and to relate these to literature data
• The ability to design a conference poster and to defend it during a poster sesssion

Leerdoelen

Fate of environmental contaminants and their effects on several levels of biological organization, ranging from genes to ecosytems:

• The ability to name the sources of environmental contaminants
• The ability to describe the fate of environmental contaminants
• The ability to explain the processes that determine the bioavailability and accumulation of environmental contaminants by organisms
• The ability to identify the modes of action of toxicants
• The ability to quantify the effects of environmental contaminants on organisms
• The ability to characterize the processes that lead to tolerance and adaptation
• The ability to apply concepts and methods for assessing mixture toxicity
• The ability to analyse the effects of multiple stressors on organisms and ecosystems
• The ability to explain and apply biomonitoring, ecotoxicological risk assessment en environmental legislation
• The ability to critically evaluate the methods and techniques related to the above mentioned specific learning objectives and to propose recommendations for improvements

Onderwijsvormen

• Hoorcollege
• Werkcollege
• (Computer)practicum
• Zelfstudie

Attending the lectures is optional. However, lectures are intended to clarify and recess subjects. Lectures will be used to show appealing phenomenons from various sources.

Three seminars are scheduled to visualize different subjects. These visualizations will make the subjects more understandable and insightful. Attending these seminars is compulsory.

 During the practicals, experiments will be conducted regarding unknown additive effects of toxicants in complex mixtures. In the after noon of the days during week one and two, a total of 4 experiments will be conducted regarding toxicants.

Verdeling leeractiviteiten

Aanwezigheid

Aanwezigheidseisen opleiding (OER-B):

• Deelname aan alle (computer)practica, veldwerk en werkcolleges in het curriculum is verplicht.
  

Aanvullende eisen voor dit vak:

Aanvullende eisen voor dit vak:

Participation of all practicals and seminars is required before the final grade of the course can be awarded. Students who did not attend the practicals must attend these in the next academic year in order to complete the course. It is strongly recommended that students attend all lectures.

Toetsing

The posters are evaluated by a 'poster evaluating committee', made up of scientists who were not involved in the preparation of the posters. The poster evaluation form including all criteria concerned can be found on Blackboard. In addition to the poster itself, the oral defense, mutual cooperation and work attitude during the practicals are also included in the evaluation of the poster.

Opdrachten

Questionnaire

• The seminars are accompanied by a questionnaire. These will be discussed at the end of the regarding seminar.

Posterpresentation

• Conference posters regarding the experiments executed during the practicals will be produced by groups of five students. Deadline is on the third Friday of the course at 5 p.m.. Posters will be presented on the last Friday of the course. The best poster will be sent to an international conference.

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

•    Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
•    Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
•    ....

Fraude en plagiaat

Dit vak hanteert de algemene 'Fraude- en plagiaatregeling' van de UvA. Hier wordt nauwkeurig op gecontroleerd. Bij verdenking van fraude of plagiaat wordt de examencommissie van de opleiding ingeschakeld. Zie de Fraude- en plagiaatregeling van de UvA: www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Weekplanning

Rooster

Aanvullende informatie

This course has a Blackboard site. On this site you will find lectures, seminars, practical instructions and literature for the practicals and seminars. It is recommended that you view the Blackboard site frequently.

Contactinformatie

Coördinator

• dr. M.H.S. Kraak