3 ECTS credits
90 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4023208FNR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
HOC:
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. 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 (1) regulations of chemicals (REACH), (2) water framework directive (WFD) and (3) principles of safety for food contact materials.
WPO
Several case studies intend to enhance the learning experience for the students in relation to society's problems are illustrated in lecture modules on:
Endocrine disruptors: Impact on the environment
Measuring and modeling trace metals in aquatic systems
The quality of drinking water
Selected topics presented by the students by group of two
…
Teaching methods
Teaching method will be based on ex cathedra lessons and case studies. Students will be asked to prepare a case study and present it to their colleagues in an interactive way like in a workshop
Additional information (Engels):
Notes consisting of the slides shown during the lectures and specific research papers will be available via the CANVAS platform at VUB
References:
Books Glenn W. Suter (2007), Ecological Risk Assessment, Second edition, CRC Press, Taylor Francis Group ISBN 1-56670-634-3s
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.
Final competences:
Sensitize students with the evolution of the society and their consequences for the environment and public health
Learn how to report and communicate scientific results regarding issues in human and environmental risk assessment
Increase student experience in the use of probabilistic analysis and risk characterization
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:
Homework presentation during the teaching semester (50%):
10 minutes presentation max (PowerPoint) with
Introduction
Key scientific questions/objectives
Methodology
Results/Discussion/Conclusions
References
Written Exam during the session (50%)
Open questions on topics discussed during the theoretical course. For the written exam the quality of the answer and its relevance will be taken into account. It is a question of answering specific questions on the topics seen during the theoretical course
Calculation of the examination mark
For the evaluation of the presentation the scores will be awarded according to
the respect of instructions (time, structure of the presentation, etc.)
understanding of the topic and answering student questions
quality of presentation
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Chemistry: Analytical and Environmental Chemistry