Fall 2020 - BISC 308 D100

Environmental Toxicology: An Ecological Perspective (3)

Class Number: 8331

Delivery Method: Distance Education

Overview

Course Times + Location:

Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby

Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
Burnaby

Instructor:
Vicki Marlatt
vlm1@sfu.ca
1 778 782-4107

Prerequisites:
BISC 101, BISC 102, and either BISC 204 or GEOG 215, all with C- or better.

Students are introduced to the major environmental toxicants, their sources, and interactions with terrestrial and aquatic environments. Through historical and current case studies of environmental toxicants, this course will provide an understanding of the basic principles of environmental toxicology particularly as they apply to populations, communities and ecosystems. Students who have taken BISC 312, or special topics course BISC 473 with the title "Introduction to Environmental Toxicology", may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Environmental toxicology is the study of the impacts of environmental toxicants on the health of living organisms and the environment. Environmental toxicants/pollutants are agents released into the general environment that can cause adverse effects on the health of biota and alter the natural environment. Although environmental toxicants exist in the natural environment, the current environmental toxicants of concern globally are produced by humans. With unprecedented human population growth underway, environmental toxicants are expected to increase and the contributions of environmental toxicologists to the enhancement of environmental quality and ecosystem health has become increasingly recognized. This course will cover the major environmental toxicants, their sources, and interactions with terrestrial and aquatic environments. In addition, through historical and current case studies of environmental toxicants, this course will provide an understanding of the basic principles of environmental toxicology particularly as they apply to populations, communities and ecosystems.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Describe the major classes of environmental toxicants/pollutants in air, land and water.
2. Explain the chemical properties that determine the fate and transport of environmental toxicants in the environment.
3. Evaluate data derived from the measures used to determine the effects of environmental toxicants at the population, community and ecosystem levels of biological organization.
4. Integrate the knowledge acquired throughout the course to discuss current global environmental pollution issues, and their consequences at the population, community and ecosystem level.

Grading

Midterm Exam I 15%
Midterm Exam II 15%
Midterm Exam III 15%
Written Assignments (comprised of 3 in total: 15%, 15%, 25%) 55%

NOTES:

*Note: No final exam during final exam period

%           Letter Grade
95-100           A+
90-94              A
86-89           A-
80-85              B+
75-79              B
71-74              B-
66-70              C+
60-65              C
56-59              C-
50-55              D

REQUIREMENTS:

Lectures and tutorials are synchronous.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

You will be required to have a microphone for the tutorials and it is recommended to have a webcam but not necessary.

REQUIRED READING:

None

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).

Search for a new outline

Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines