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

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:

  1. Define critical terms and concepts in ecotoxicology;
  2. Describe and evaluate the biological, ecological and chemical factors affecting toxicity testing;
  3. Differentiate between toxicants in their effects on organisms and ecosystems;
  4. Explain the effects of bioaccumulation and biotransformation in organisms and ecosystems and the impacts of major pollution events such as oil spills;
  5. Describe, discuss and apply tests for pollution using biota.
  6. Describe and evaluate biological indicators of pollution at the habitat and organism level;
  7. 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. 

 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. 

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.