Course content

The course looks at the impact of pollution from the air, water and the ground on plants, animals, humans and ecosystems and focuses on structure-related toxic effects and the effects of e.g. heavy metals, radioactive sustances, organic compounds, industrial chemicals and pesticides. Important topics such as biomarkers and biomonitoring and other methods of monitoring environmental toxins and their effects are also discussed together with how environmental resources are influenced by pollution.

Learning outcome

The course gives students an introduction to ecotoxicology, i.e. knowledge of the effects of pollution on natural biological systems (cells, organisms, ecosystems) together with an insight into how environmemtal resources are influenced by pollution.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures. A resit examination can be changed from a written to an oral examination.

Recommended previous knowledge

TIØ4300 Environmental Science, Ecosystems and Sustainability or similar qualifications in biology and environmental science.

Course materials

C. H. Walker, S. P. Hopkin, R. M. Sibly og D. B. Peakal: Principles of Ecotoxicolog, Taylor og Francis, 2006, 3rd edition. Lecture notes.

Credit reductions