Study programme competencies |
Code
|
Study programme competences
|
A9 |
Identificar e utilizar bioindicadores. |
A17 |
Realizar bioensaios e diagnósticos biolóxicos. |
A21 |
Deseñar modelos de procesos biolóxicos. |
A23 |
Avaliar o impacto ambiental. Diagnosticar e solucionar problemas ambientais. |
B1 |
Aprender a aprender. |
B4 |
Traballar de forma autónoma con iniciativa. |
B6 |
Organizar e planificar o traballo. |
B7 |
Comunicarse de maneira efectiva nunha contorna de traballo. |
B8 |
Sintetizar a información. |
B9 |
Formarse unha opinión propia. |
B10 |
Exercer a crítica científica. |
B11 |
Debater en público. |
Learning aims |
Learning outcomes |
Study programme competences |
Distinguish and identify the techniques of retrospective and prospective ecotoxicology. |
|
B9
|
|
Describe the common effects of pollution on individuals, populations and communities. |
A9 A17 A23
|
|
|
Assess the advantages and limitations of each level of organisation in detecting pollution impacts. |
|
B9 B10
|
|
Understand the results of basic toxicity testing techniques, accumulation-depuration studies, biomarkers |
A9 A17 A21
|
|
|
Describe the mechanisms by which an organism copes with pollutants. |
A21
|
B1 B4
|
|
Critically appraise the relevance of information derived from toxicity tests. |
A17
|
B9 B10
|
|
Critically appraise results of studies on the effects of pollutants on natural communities. |
A23
|
B9 B10
|
|
Conduct a literature search on an ecotoxicological topic and summarise the information obtained. |
|
B1 B4 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11
|
|
To deal with the specialised literature by being able to frame it in a specific topic of ecotoxicology. |
|
B1 B4 B8 B9 B10
|
|
Contents |
Topic |
Sub-topic |
Introduction |
Human population growth.
Major environmental problems in Europe.
Ecotoxicology. |
Pollutants |
Major types and features
Inorganic pollutants: metals and anions
Organic pollutants
Organometals
Gases
|
Toxicokinetics |
Mechanisms for pollutant accumulations.
Uptake.
Biotransformation and detoxification of metals and metaloids.
Biotransformation of organic pollutants.
Excretion.
Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF), Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), and Accumulation Factor.
Kinetics.
|
Bioamplification along the trophic chain |
Bioamplification.
Trophic transfer and Bioamplification factor.
Examples of bioamplification in metals and organic pollutants. |
Bioaccumulation and pollutant detection (Retrospective Ecotoxicology I) |
Bioavailability.
Factors of pollutant bioavailability.
Use of bioaccumulators.
Requisites of a good bioacumulator. |
Toxicodynamics: biochemical and histological effects |
Protective and non protective bgiochemical changes.
Molecular toxicity mechanisms.
Modes of toxic actions in organic pollutants.
Examples of molecular mechanisms.
Cytotoxicity and necrosis.
Damage to genes and chromosomes. |
Physiological effects |
Subletal effects.
Effects on growth, development, reproduction, physiology and behaviour.
Trade-off between detoxification and production. |
Biomarkers (Retrospective Ecotoxicology II). |
Classification, especificity and relationship with damaging effects.
Requisites of a good biomarker.
Examples of biomarkers.
Use of biomarkers. |
Toxicity assays (Porspective Ecotoxicology I). |
Dose-response relationship.
Types of assays.
Data analyses.
Toxicity curves, mean lethal time and threshold LC50.
Data analyses in chronic assays: NOEC, LOEC y MATC.
Application Factor. |
Prediction (Prospective Ecotoxicology II) |
Prediction at individual level: QSAR.
Prediction at ecosystem level: SSR.
|
Changes in community composition (Retrospective Ecotoxicology III). |
Indicator species.
Relative abundance.
Saprobic systema and biotic indexes.
Diversity.
Comparisson with reference communities. |
Planning |
Methodologies / tests |
Competencies |
Ordinary class hours |
Student’s personal work hours |
Total hours |
Guest lecture / keynote speech |
A9 A23 B8 B9 |
22 |
77 |
99 |
Seminar |
B1 B4 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 |
7 |
26 |
33 |
Laboratory practice |
A17 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
ICT practicals |
A21 A23 |
12 |
0 |
12 |
Multiple-choice questions |
A9 A17 A21 A23 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Personalized attention |
|
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
(*)The information in the planning table is for guidance only and does not take into account the heterogeneity of the students. |
Methodologies |
Methodologies |
Description |
Guest lecture / keynote speech |
Lectures supported by graphic information available to students through Campus Virtual. |
Seminar |
Problem solving and bibliographic review. |
Laboratory practice |
Lab work under the guidance of the teacher and with a protocol that comprehensively details the exercises to be performed (also available in Campus Virtual) |
ICT practicals |
IT work under the guidance of the teacher and with a protocol that comprehensively details the exercises to be performed (also available in Campus Virtual) |
Multiple-choice questions |
Test of theory and practice contents. |
Personalized attention |
|
Description |
The personalized attention will consist of solving doubts in the corresponding tutorial schedules.
Part-time students and students with attendance dispensation: resolution of doubts through official tools for teledocency and telecommunication (virtual campus, Teams, e-mail). |
|
Assessment |
Methodologies
|
Competencies |
Description
|
Qualification
|
Guest lecture / keynote speech |
A9 A23 B8 B9 |
In some lectures, questions will be asked (orally and/or in writing) to the students on aspects dealt with in the session, which they will have to answer on the spot in order to assess the individual performance of the session. |
5 |
Laboratory practice |
A17 |
Attendance is mandatory. Each day of unexcused absence will mean 0.5 points less in the final grade. |
0 |
Multiple-choice questions |
A9 A17 A21 A23 |
Knowledge acquired in theory and practice sessions is assessed with a multi-option test. |
65 |
Seminar |
B1 B4 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11 |
First chance: Presenting a bibliographic review paper at the last seminar session.
Second chance: Students who have not presented a paper at the first opportunity may submit their paper in WRITING on the date of the second opportunity test (detailed guidelines for submitting a paper are available in Moodle). SECOND CHANCE PAPERS MAY GET A MAXIMUM GRADE OF 5 (passed). |
30 |
ICT practicals |
A21 A23 |
Attendance is mandatory. Each day of unexcused absence will mean 0.5 points less in the final grade. |
0 |
|
Assessment comments |
In order to pass the course it is REQUIRED to pass the theory exam with a grade of at least 4. Otherwise, the course will be suspended regardless of the remaining grades and the lowest numerical grade will be placed (i) the average grade with the above percentages or (ii) the grade of the theory exam). Failure to attend the theory exam will result in no final grade ("No presentado"). Students with dispensation from attendance: it will be possible to take the tests using teledocency tools. Fraudulent completion of exams or evaluation activities, once verified, will directly result in a failing grade in the corresponding call: the student will be graded as “failed” (numerical grade 0) in the corresponding call of the academic year, whether the offense is committed in the first or second opportunity. For this, their grade will be modified in the first opportunity record, if necessary.
|
Sources of information |
Basic
|
Sparling, D. W. (2016). Ecotoxicology essentials : environmental contaminants and their biological effects on Animals and plants. Academic Press
Newman, M. C.; Clements, W.H. (2008). Ecotoxicology: A Comprehensive Treatment. CRC Press
Newman, M. C. (2010). Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, 3 edition. CRC Press
Walker, C. H., S. P. Hopkin, R. M. Sibly, and D. B. Peakall. (2006). Principles of Ecotoxicology, 3rd edition. Taylor & Francis, London |
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Complementary
|
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The basic bibliography is sufficient for an undergraduate course. In addition, the student will have to look for scientific papers to carry out the supervised assignement; the specific papers will vary among students. |
Recommendations |
Subjects that it is recommended to have taken before |
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Subjects that are recommended to be taken simultaneously |
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Subjects that continue the syllabus |
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Other comments |
Students are encouraged to use tutorial sessions to solve doubts/questions with the teacher. Green Campus Programme Faculty of Science: to contribute to achieving an immediate sustainable environment and to comply with point 6 of the "Environmental Declaration of the Faculty of Science (2020)", written assignments will be mainly requested in electronic format. |
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