Course Title: Ecotoxicology
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Ecotoxicology
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
BIOL2162 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
135H Applied Sciences |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016 |
BIOL2162 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
171H School of Science |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 2 2023 |
BIOL2347 |
Open Learning Australia |
Non Award |
171H School of Science |
Distance / Correspondence |
OUASP3UG20 |
Flexible Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
BIOL2428 |
OUA CSP |
Undergraduate |
171H School of Science |
Internet |
OUACSP2020 (All) |
Course Coordinator: Professor Dayanthi Nugegoda
Course Coordinator Phone: +613 9925 7150
Course Coordinator Email: dayanthi.nugegoda@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora campus 223.1.44
Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Assumed Knowledge
This course requires knowledge and capabilities from courses in animal and plant structure, classification and physiology, as well as chemistry at first year level, equivalent courses or comparable knowledge and skills.
Course Description
This course introduces you to the field of environmental toxicology and teaches you practical skills in pollution sampling techniques and their application to the study of environmental assessment. This course enables you to develop a detailed knowledge of ecotoxicological principles. It prepares you to utilise ecological sampling techniques in the field to solve applied ecotoxicological problems and in preparing critical scientific reviews, specifically in important areas of ecotoxicology.
You will be guided through the course by structured online material, preceding relevant practical classes in the laboratory or in the field to achieve competence in technical skills. The normal modes of teaching will be approximately 2 hours of online learning followed by 2-4 hours of practical work each week, but this will be varied according to the particular educational objectives for the topic.
Tutorials will be conducted online or in class informally as the need arises.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course is particularly important in developing the graduate attributes of: knowledgability, critical-thinking ability, responsibility, ethical behaviour, employability, adaptability, competency in technical skills, self-directed and motivated learning skills, problem-solving ability and good communication skills (written, verbal and interpersonal).
This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes in BP229 Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences):
2. Scientific knowledge
PLO-2.1 You will have broad knowledge in your chosen discipline, with deep knowledge in its core concepts
3. Inquiry and Problem Solving
PLO-3.1 You will be able to plan and carry out a research project under supervision, showing the development of some capacity for independent work
PLO-3.2 You will be able to gather, critically review and synthesise information relevant to a scientific inquiry or research project.
5. Personal and professional responsibility
PLO-5.1 You will develop a capacity for independent and self-directed work.
PLO-5.2 You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Define critical terms and concepts in ecotoxicology;
- Describe and evaluate the biological, ecological and chemical factors affecting toxicity testing;
- Differentiate between toxicants in their effects on organisms and ecosystems;
- Explain the effects of bioaccumulation and biotransformation in organisms and ecosystems and the impacts of major pollution events such as oil spills;
- Describe, discuss and apply tests for pollution using biota.
- Describe and evaluate biological indicators of pollution at the habitat and organism level;
- Evaluate the risk to ecosystem function from a pollutant
Overview of Learning Activities
You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.
You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Practical Component
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 5 & 7
Assessment Task 2: Group Literature Review
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 4, 5, 6 & 7
Assessment Task 3: Multiple Choice Question Test
Weighting 10%
This assessment supports CLOs 1-6
Assessment Task 4: Case study assessment
Weighting 30%
This assessment supports CLOs 1-7
If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.