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, Sem 2 2024, Sem 2 2025 |
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
Program Learning Outcomes
This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s):
BH096ESDD - Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)
BP161ESDD6 Bachelor of Environmental Science/Bachelor of Business (Management)
PLO 1.1 Understanding science - You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of environmental science by articulating the methods of science and explaining why current environmental knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry
PLO 1.2 Understanding science - You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of environmental science by explaining the role and relevance of environmental science in society
PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge by demonstrating a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere or lithosphere, or depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology
PLO 2.2 Scientific knowledge - You will be able to exhibit depth and breadth of environmental science knowledge by demonstrating knowledge that environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences.
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science through gathering, synthesizing and critically evaluating information from a range of sources
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science by selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in conducting field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments
PLO 3.4 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in environmental science by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from scientific data
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be an effective communicator of environmental sciences by effectively communicating environmental results, information, or arguments using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) for a variety of purposes and audiences
PLO 5.1 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by being an independent and self-directed learner
PLO 5.2 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be accountable for your individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by working effectively, responsibly, ethically, and safely in an individual or team context
PLO 5.3 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be accountable for your individual learning and scientific work in environmental science by demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and ethical principles relevant to environmental science.
BP192P6 - Bachelor of Environmental Science
PLO 1.1 Understanding science - You will be able to articulate the methods of science and explain why current environmental knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry.
PLO 1.2 Understanding science - You will be able to explain the role and relevance of environmental science in society.
PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of Earth system processes, especially in the hydrosphere, ecosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere and; depth in the underlying principles and concepts in Environmental Chemistry and/or Environmental Biology.
PLO 2.2 Scientific knowledge - You will understand that environmental science has interdisciplinary connections with other sciences.
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to gather, synthesize and critically evaluate environmental information from a range of sources.
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to select and apply practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments.
PLO 3.4 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to collect, accurately record, interpret and draw conclusions from scientific data.
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be able to communicate environmental science results, information, or arguments effectively using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) to different audiences.
PLO 5.1 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be an independent and self-directed learner.
PLO 5.3 Personal and professional responsibility - You will demonstrate knowledge of the regulatory frameworks relevant to environmental science.
BP229BISC - Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences)
PLO 1.2 Understanding science - You will demonstrate a coherent understanding of biological sciences by explaining the role and relevance of biological sciences in society.
PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will exhibit depth and breadth of biological knowledge by demonstrating well-developed understanding of biological sciences.
PLO 2.2 Scientific knowledge - You will exhibit depth and breadth of biological knowledge by demonstrating knowledge that biological sciences have interdisciplinary connections with other sciences.
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biological sciences by gathering, synthesizing and critically evaluating information from a range of sources.
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biological sciences by selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques with technical competence in conducting field, laboratory-based, or virtual experiments.
PLO 3.4 Inquiry and problem solving - You will be able to critically analyse and solve problems in biological sciences by collecting, accurately recording, interpreting, and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
PLO 4.1 Communication - You will be an effective communicator of biological sciences by effectively communicating scientific results, information, or arguments using a range of modes (oral, written, visual) for a variety of purposes and audiences.
PLO 5.3 Personal and professional responsibility - You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work by demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and ethical principles relevant to the biological sciences.
BP229P7 - Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences)
PLO 2.1 Scientific knowledge - You will have broad knowledge in your chosen discipline, with deep knowledge in its core concepts
PLO 3.1 Inquiry and Problem Solving - 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 Inquiry and Problem Solving - You will be able to gather, critically review and synthesise information relevant to a scientific inquiry or research project.
PLO 3.3 Inquiry and Problem Solving - You will be able to choose appropriate tools and methods to solve scientific problems within your area of specialization.
PLO 5.1 Personal and professional responsibility - You will develop a capacity for independent and self-directed work.
PLO 5.2 Personal and professional responsibility - You will work responsibly, safely, legally and ethically.
For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Interpret key concepts and terminology in ecotoxicology to support analysis of environmental contamination.
- Appraise biological, ecological, and chemical factors influencing toxicity testing and pollutant impact.
- Analyse the effects of toxicants, including bioaccumulation and major pollution events, on ecosystems.
- Assess biological indicators of pollution using biota-based testing methods at organism and habitat levels.
- Evaluate ecological risks posed by pollutants to ecosystem function using scientific principles and ethical practice.
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.
The learning activities included in this course are:
- online learning where syllabus material will be presented and explained via the RMIT teaching platform, and the subject will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
- completion of laboratory projects designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on student progress and understanding
- critically reviewing the literature relevant to a prescribed topic and preparing a written report.
- preparing and presenting a seminar on the topic of ecotoxicology
- completion of written assignments consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter; and
- private study, working through the course as presented online and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual and simulated problems.
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.
Weekly learning resources are set up and available in Canvas.
A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, which may include books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
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
This course has no hurdle requirements.
Assessment Task 1: Practical Component
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5
Assessment Task 2: Group Literature Review (oral: in person or online)
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1-5
Assessment Task 3: Multiple Choice Question Test
Weighting 10%
This assessment supports CLOs 1 & 2
Assessment Task 4: Case study assessment (written)
Weighting 30%
This assessment supports CLOs 1-5
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.