Course
Title: Ecotoxicology
Course Code: S130
Course Frequency: Once every 2
years
Short Course Description
This course is part of the the Programme of the Postgraduate Education in
Toxicology. The course provides a broad overview of different aspects of
ecotoxicology, including environmental chemistry, toxicology, ecology and risk
assessment related topics. The course includes lectures, working classes and a
practical.
Long Course Description
The course covers the most important aspects of ecotoxicology. It is divided
into two parts. It is possible to follow only one of these course parts (and to
earn only 1.5 ECTS), for example when experience already exists on the subject
of the other part.
The first part focuses on environmental chemistry, including the fate of
chemicals in the environment and uptake in organisms. In this way, the first
part centers around issues determining exposure.
The second part of the course deals with effects and includes toxicological and
ecological aspects of ecotoxicology. In this part of the course, focus will be
on assessing effects on (life stages) of individual organisms of wildlife
species in interaction with their changing environment, and their translation
to effects at the population level. In this second part of the course,
attention will also be paid to the role of ecotoxicology in policymaking. The
lectures also will deal with standardized tests carried out in relation for
environmental legislation as well as the possibilities and limitations of
ecotoxicological monitoring and experimental research.
List of subjects
Environmental chemistry:
- Fate of chemicals in the environment
- Sorption and (bio)degradation of
organic chemicals
- Speciation of metals in soil and
water
- Bioaccumulation and biomagnification
of persistent chemicals
- Structure-activity relationships
Ecotoxicology:
- Toxicokinetics and biotransformation in
relation to differences in toxicity between species
- Mechanisms in ecotoxicology and Mixture
toxicity
- Dose-response relationships
- Biomarkers and biosensors
- In vivo and in vitro bioassays
- Population effects
- Genetic adaptation to pollution in soil
invertebrates
- Risk assessment and (international)
legislation of chemicals
Course Level: Intermediate
Course Credits: 3.00
Minimum Credits: 1.50
Prerequisites: MSc degree in
biology, health sciences, environmental sciences or related field.
Aim
The course offers basic ecotoxicological training for PhD students but is also
suitable for industrial and governmental researchers, managers and
policymakers. This basic knowledge is essential for all those involved in the
field of hazards posed by environmental contaminants. The course is also
suitable as a basic training for scientists from universities and research
institutes who in the future will be involved in ecotoxicological research.
Course Method
The course consists of lectures, working classes and practicals. Lectures will
generally be held in the mornings. Experimental work, video training, working
lectures and study visits will take place in the afternoons, to provide
examples and practical understanding of the theory.
Location:
Environmental Chemistry module:
Ecotoxicology module: Wageningen,
The Netherlands (24/08-28/08, 2009)
Course coordinators
- Dr.Ir. C.A.M. (Kees) van Gestel
(IES), Institute of Ecological Science, Department of Animal Ecology, De
Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam,
tel: 020 598 7079/7004, fax: 020 598 7123, e-mail: kees.van.gestel@ecology.falw.vu.nl
- Mrs. Dr. A.J. (Tinka) Murk, Div. of Toxicology,
- Dr. J.L.M. (Joop) Hermens, IRAS, Utrecht University, P.O. Box
80176, 3508 TD Utrecht, tel: 030-2535337, fax: 030-2535077, e-mail: J.Hermens@uu.nl
Course committee
- Mrs. Prof. Dr. A.J. Murk (Wageningen
University)
- Dr. J.L.M. Hermens (IRAS)
- Dr.Ir. C.A.M. van Gestel (Free
University Amsterdam)
Others
Registration information:
Ms. Letty Dijker-Lefers
Postgraduate Education in
Toxicology, tel: 0317-482656 (Tuesday and Thursday);
e-mail: office.pot-pet@wur.nl
Closing date for registration:
Jun 05, 2009
Course Fee € 2000 (€1000 per
week)