Goals of the Course. Environmental Toxicology 2 is the continuation of the toxicology series in the Department of Environmental Sciences. The primary goal of this course is to further address the interactions of chemicals with ecological systems. In order to accomplish this the class is introduced to the idea of complex systems and scale. The interaction of a chemical with a biological entitity usually is at the molecular scale. However, it is clear that interactions at the molecular scale can have impacts upon ecological systems at the watershed or landscape scale. One of the goals of this course is to describe how this happens. Another goal is to introduce the aspects of experimental design, data analysis and interpretation of toxicity tests and field studies in environmental toxicology. Finally an introduction to ecological risk assessment is provided.Students at the senior and graduate level need to gain experience in reading and analyzing the scientific literature and in presenting reviews and summaries. This course emphasizes each of these skills.
There are several themes in this course:
- Environmental Toxicology in the context of complex systems and environmental management.
- Quantitative structure activity relationships
- Biodegradation of contaminants
- Effects at population and community scales
- Ecological risk assessment and life cycle assessment as tools for decision making.
- Team project in evaluating contaminant impacts at population and community scales
Each student is also expected to gain experience in reading, evaluating and synthesizing the availalble literature in the field. Each student will be writing and presenting materials from the primary literature.
The course will also have a Blackboard page for updates to lectures and other information.
Contact Information and Required Materials
Professor: Wayne G. Landis email:wayne.landis@wwu.edu
Office: ES 518, Institute of Environmental Toxicology by appointment. For an appointment contact the office manager at 650-6136.
Teaching Assistant: Laurel Kaminski. Office in the ES518 complex. email:kaminsl@cc.wwu.edu
Lecture: Tuesday and Thursdays, 10-12.
Textbook: Landis, W.G. and . Yu M-H. 2004. Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems, 3rd Edition. CRC Press (Lewis Publishers). The original edition was written specifically for this course and it is used thoughout the world. It is required.
Course CD. This is avaiable at the bookstore and contains the power point lectures, old exams, readings and a series of government publications.
Grading
- One in-class midterm examination (100 points)
- Primary Literature Review paper (200 points, minimum of 5 articles, maximum of 10 articles).
- Joint project based upon that used in Tox 1, but at population or community scale (200 points)
- One take-home final comprehensive examination (300 points)
- Grades will be based on a percentage of the total points as follows:
A 94-100% |
C+ 76-79% |
D- 60-63% |
A- 90-93% |
C 72-75% |
F <60% |
B+ 86-89% |
C- 70-71% |
|
B 83-85% |
D+ 67-69% |
|
B- 80-82% |
D 64-66% |
|
Envr 556 Requirements. Each graduate student will be required to develop an project appropriate to their graduate program. An example would be using the techniques discussed in class for the data analysis of toxicity tests dealing with metals. The written report (150 points) will be evaluated and this wil be followed by a 15-minute oral presentation in class (50 points). See Proposal below for requirements.
The Primary Literature Review Paper
The paper will be responsible for researching the nature and properties of a chemical, the use of a test method, or current important issues in environmental toxicology. The topic must one of those listed on the web page or be approved by the instructor. The paper will be ten page or less (maximum [1-inch margins, font size 11or 12, double space) paper, The paper should include an introduction, the question or topic to be considered, a reveiw of critical papers, and a series of conclusions. Paper will be graded subjectively by content, grammar and spelling, presentation, and organization, succinctness, and completeness of information. See the attached schedule for deadlines.
Deadline Policy
All assignments must be turned in as an electronic file in a pdf format. This is now the standard for papers for journals, grant submissions, final project reports, etc, so it is time to practice. All assignments are due in my inbox by the end of class on the day the assignment is due. No late assignments will be accepted..period. Practically no excuse is acceptable, including but not limited to computer crashes, weather, mischevious dogs, or angry partners. Acceptable excuses are few and are left to the discretion of the instructor. Situations considered acceptable by the instructor include but are not limited to significant medical emergencies, having a child, etc. However, acceptable excuses still must be approved at least 8 hours in advance of the deadline.