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BIO9550 - Ecotoxicology

Course content

The course can be used as part of the curriculum for a MSc or PhD in toxicology or ecotoxicology. The course is offered in the autumn semester immediately following the course in general toxicology (BIO4500). The course can form part of the theoretical basis for recognition as an EUROTOX-registered toxicologist.

Learning outcomes

The course offers advanced subjects in aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology, including environmental chemistry, bioavailability, trophic transport of contaminants, biomarkers, community impacts and in vitro toxicology. Upon completing the course students should achieve an up-to-date knowledge of the most important areas of ecotoxicology.

Admission

Contact the student administration office if you want to follow this course.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

BIO4500 - General Toxicology (can be taken in parallel with BIO9550)

Recommended prior knowledge

Knowledge of ecology, chemistry, biochemistry, and/or physiology.

Overlap

10 credits against BIO4550 - Ecotoxicology.

Teaching

The course will be given over 8 weeks in the second half of each autumn semester. The course consists of lectures, discussions and laboratory practices. In addition, the students must write two 10 page essays on given topics, which they will present in two 45 minutes lectures.
Lectures will mainly be given by staff at the Department of Biology, but som external researchers will contribute. All students will be expected to give a short presentation over a subject provided.

Criteria for access to teaching resources

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.

Exam information

Final written exam, three hours (weighs 70% of the final mark). Essays and lectures weigh 15% each (30% of the final mark). Participation in laboratory work and passed lab raports within certain set dates is a requirement.

Exam resources

No special exam resources are allowed.

Language of examination

The language of examination is Norwegian. You can apply to the administrators of the course to be given the exam text in English. It is possible to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Assessment and grading

Students are awarded either a passing or a failing grade. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

Periodic evaluation Autumn 2009.

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