6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4015835FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Chemistry
Educational team
Marc Elskens (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

30 contact hours Lecture
30 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

In the theoretical part of the course, processes such as hazard identification, modelling dose-response and risk characterization are introduced and defined. We further discuss the concepts of probability and related notions of uncertainty, variability and unpredictability, and present two alternative approaches to address these concepts based on Frequentist and Bayesian statistics. The course provides also standard frameworks and guidance information from EU-legislations on the regulations of chemicals (REACH), the water framework directive (WFD) and the principles of safety for food contact materials (FCM). Finally, several case studies intend to enhance the learning experience for the students are illustrated:

Lectures (10 modules of 3 hrs)

  • Hazard and Risk
  • Uncertainty, variability and probability.
  • Water Framework Directive (WFD)
  • Legislation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
  • Chemical migration from polymeric packaging materials and food contact materials 
  • Development of biocides indicators
  • Measuring and modeling trace metals in aquatic systems
  • Comprehensive chemical analyses of Environmental pollutants benefit from combined chemical and bio-analytical approaches
  • Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Sources and toxicity
  • Guidelines for drinking-water quality

 

Homework presentation during first semester

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Notes consisting of the slides shown during the lectures and specific research papers will be available at http://www.vub.ac.be/ANCH/, http://www.vub.ac.be/ANCH/
Handbook (Recommended) : Ecological Risk Assessment, Glenn W. Suter, 2de, The library of AMGC research unit, 9781566706346, 2007
Additional info

Notes consisting of the slides shown during the lectures and specific research papers
will be available via the learning platform (VUB).

Complementary study material

Books available in the library of AMGC research unit.: Glenn W. Suter (2007), Ecological Risk Assessment, Second edition, CRC Press, Taylor Francis Group ISBN 1-56670-634-3

For further information please contact Marc Elskens (melskens@vub.be)

 

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

This course provides an overview of the methods needed to examine the impact of chemical contaminants on the ecosystems and how human and environmental risks can be assessed. Many concepts intend to enhance the learning experience for the students are presented and discussed:

  • to sensitize students with the evolution of the society and their consequences for the environment and public health
  • To learn how to report and communicate scientific results regarding issues in human and environmental risk assessment
  • To increase student experience in the use of probabilistic analysis and risk characterization

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Theory examination with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.
  • Oral presentation with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Homework presentation during first semester (50%)

Written Exam in January (50%).

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Chemistry: Profile Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Human Ecology
Master of Biology: AR Human Ecology 60 ECTS
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: chemie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)