Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - BISC 475 D100

Special Topics in Biology (3)

Marine Mammal Ecotoxicology

Class Number: 2724

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Fri, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    To be announced.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Selected topics not currently offered in the Department of Biological Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

Prerequisities: BISC 101, BISC 102 and BISC 205, all with a minimum grade C-.

Calendar Description:
This course introduces marine mammal ecotoxicology and presents information ranging from a description of priority classes of legacy and emerging contaminants to assessing contaminant related health effects in marine mammals. The use of case studies will provide an understanding of how to characterize exposure and effects in marine mammals, how climate change is reshaping contaminant pathways, and what the implications are for at-risk marine mammal populations.

Course Details:
The lectures will provide a broad overview of marine mammal ecotoxicology. The course will begin with an introduction to marine mammals and a variety of biological, physiological, and ecological aspects related to marine mammalogy, followed by an introduction to ecotoxicology. We will then look at priority classes of legacy and emerging contaminants, properties that influence source, transport and fate of contaminants in the marine environment, and ways in which we characterize contaminant exposure in marine mammals and their associated effects. The final part of the course will cover how climate change is reshaping contaminant pathways, and what the implications are for at-risk marine mammal populations.

Tutorials will focus on reading recent primary papers and hands-on activities and assignments, which may include mapping contaminant plume maps in marine mammal habitat, statistical approaches to determine local vs global sources of contaminants, and examination and interpretation of omics data. Assignments will include a combination of a group presentation on an at-risk marine mammal population and a 1-page NSERC style research proposal on a topic related to marine mammal ecotoxicology. Understanding of course content will be tested though 3 midterm exams which will be held during regular lecture times in-person.

BISC 475 may count towards CMP and EEC concentration specific category.  Students pursuing the Environmental Toxicology minor may use this course as a substitution.

Grading

  • Midterm 1 15%
  • Midterm 2 15%
  • Midterm 3 15%
  • Tutorial Assignments 15%
  • Written Assignment 15%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Participation 10%

NOTES:

The grading scheme is provisional and may change before start of classes.

Mode of teaching: Lectures, tutorials and midterms will all be on-campus and in-person.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is no official course textbook. Readings will be assigned from primary literature.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.