Aquatic Toxicology:
Applied Environmental Toxicology
ENVR 459/559 - Spring 2011
Goals of the Course
Aquatic Toxicology is being taught as a seminar course. This means that after a few introductory lectures that presentatons of key research papers will be the thrust of the course. This format is a very common format in graduate school and in professional development.
There are several themes:
- Aquatic toxicology is a broad field and key in management marine and freshwater environments.
- The world is full of ogranisms other than fish, green algae and daphnia.
- Effects at population and community scales can be investigated
- The field is dominatd by legislation such as the Clean Water Act, FIFRA and REACH
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.
Lecture: Tuesday and Thursdays, 2-3:30 PM
Textbook. Readings placed in Blackboard.
Grading
- Three Primary Literature Review papers with the second being a poster style presentation (200 points, minimum of 5 articles, maximum of 10 articles).
- Power Point presentation and discussion lead of primary literature papers (100 points)
- Discussion in class and contribution to the online discussion.
- 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% |
|
The Primary Literature Reviews
The student will be responsible for researching the nature and properties of a chemical, the use of a test method, or current important issues in aquatic 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. Papers will be graded 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.