Learning outcome

After completing the course, the students should have the following qualification regarding knowledge, skill and general competence:

• Knowledge where and how environmental pollutions are spread /distributed in the nature, and negative consequences for the ecosystem and living organisms, including man.
• Skill about chemical properties of pollutants, analytical methods and theories in order to interpret the fate of environmental pollutants in nature, i.e. distribution/circulation, metabolism and accumulation along food webs.
• General competence on ecotoxicological problems other than what directly incorporated in the required reading. Furthermore they should to impart comprehensive independent work and master central terms within the special field, as well as analysing ethic problem for discussion within the field.

Course Description

The course will cover accumulation, spreading and the break down of foreign matter and natural poisons in nature, and the use of bio-markers to indicate poisons in the environment. Genetic and bio-chemical eco-toxicology will also be covered, as well as diseases and the transmission of disease across species. The course also consider the most important environmental pollutants, especially in relation to the Norwegian environment: various metals, pesticides, radioactive material, oil pollution and combustion products, chlorinated and brominated organic material, acidification and eutrification-related poisons. Toxic effects at an individual level, as well as at a higher organisational level, are also central topics. In the theme-paper, the students should document broad knowledge concerning a current theme within the field of eco-toxicology. In the laboratory course, metal analyses in water and various tissue materials will be carried out in relation to various eco-toxicological problems, as well as PAH exposure in human.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures (both internal and external teachers), seminars and laboratory course, supervising in connection with the laboratory course and writing of laboratory and seminar reports. In addition a textbook and relevant papers following essential literature.

Participation on the laboratory course, the laboratory report and semester report are obligatory, as well as an oral presentation of the seminar report in plenum.

Assessment Methods

Grades will be given for the 2 part-exams. The seminar paper counts for 20% and the written final examination (4 hours) counts for 80% of the final grade. All assessed elements must be passed to pass the course.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean