SCC0678 - ECOTOXICOLOGICAL TESTS

courses

ID:

SCC0678

Duration (hours):

64

CFU:

SSD:

ECOLOGIA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (22/09/2025 - 19/12/2025)

Course Objectives

The course is a deepening and completion of the general notions of Ecotoxicology. It provide a solid preparation to understand the environmental risk assessment. Ecotoxcity tests of water and soil are deeply analysed both for animals and vegetables.

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
• carry out the different ecotoxicity tests to assess the environmental risk in water and soil
• discriminate among the different tests to correctly assess the associated risk both in water and in soil subjected to anthropic pressures
• participate in the monitoring of real situations and identify the most significant problems
• assess the results of tests relating to the over-exploitation of resources and contamination
• apply the acquired knowledge to increase the assessment and team work tools (in the laboratory and on the territory)
A basic knowledge of general ecology and ecotoxicology is appreciated but not fundamental.

Course Prerequisites

A basic knowledge of general ecology and ecotoxicology is appreciated but not fundamental.

Teaching Methods

64 hours of teaching, of which 32 of frontal lectures (teacher in Varese and Como in relation to the delivery times) and 32 of laboratory (with the help of a practicing teacher). Lectures will be carried out with the help of slides (Power point presentations) projected in the classroom and by watching videos. Attendance at lectures is optional but highly recommended for a better general preparation and for a frontal discussion of the addressed topics. For laboratory materials given by the teacher to better understand the faced experiences will be provided. All proposed is designed in order to acquire independent judgment and management skills with a view to environmental sustainability. Attendance at the laboratory/outings on the territory is mandatory for 75% of the hours.

Assessment Methods

Exams are foreseen in the number planned by the Degree Course. Verification of learning will be carried out through the written exam lasting one hour. Three open questions aim to verify the ability to describe in detail and with scientific terminology. Even a simulation of an ecotoxicological test can be required. The evaluation of the exam is expressed in thirtieths. The test is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. The evaluation takes into account the overall performance of the test. The criteria of the verification of the knowledge and skills acquired will be elaborated are: the degree of in-depth study of the subject matter of the question, the critical ability to connect and the knowledge processing, the clarity of the expected tasks and the ownership of the terminology used. The study based on the proposed slides must necessarily be completed by the study of the OECD guidelines

Introduction to the chemical risk assessment. Use of ecotoxicity tests for the assessment and management of the environmental risk. Detailed description of tests carried out on the water matrix and on the soil matrix, using animal and vegetable organisms. During the course the OECD guidelines are analysed and used, even in the laboratory

Course Language

Italian

More information

The teacher is always available preferably by appointment (roberta.bettinetti@uninsubria.it). It is also available for in-depth or clarification meetings on the topics covered for groups of students in the same way.