Instructor: Dr. Christopher J. Kennedy

Office: SSB 6157, 291-5640, ckennedy@sfu.ca

Course description:

This course will provide students with a broad perspective on the subject of aquatic toxicology. It will be a comprehensive course in which a definitive description of basic concepts and principles, testing and modeling methods, as well as examples of typical data and their interpretation employed in this field, will be discussed. The toxicological action and fate of environmental pollutants will be examined in aquatic ecosystems, whole organisms and at the molecular and biochemical level.

Prerequisites:

The course is designed for the advanced undergraduate or graduate student with a basic understanding of general ecology, physiology, chemistry and biochemistry. Prerequisite: BISC 313.

Outline:

I. Introduction to the basic concepts of aquatic toxicology.

II. Principles of chemical fate in aquatic systems: Ecosystem level

III. Chemical toxicokinetics: Organism level

IV. Specific aquatic pollutants

V. Case studies

VI. The Future. Environmental Movements, Legislation, and Ethics

Mark distribution:

Midterm - 40%

Final exam - 60%

Required textbook:

There is no required textbook for this course