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Ecotoxicology, Master's Programme, 120 hec

Modern society uses more than 100 000 different chemicals and chemical products, all of them being potentially released into the environment. Ecotoxicology is concerned with the environmental impact of these substances. It aims at characterizing, understanding and finally predicting the effects of toxic chemicals on plant and animal populations, ecological communities and whole ecosystems. As such, ecotoxicology is the scientific basis for environmental frameworks such as for example the new REACH regulation or the Water Framework Directive.

Interdisciplinary Science

As an interdisciplinary science ecotoxicology has strong connections to biology, ecology, toxicology, biochemistry, analytical and environmental chemistry, statistics and social sciences. Therefore the ecotoxicology programme is run as a collaboration between the faculty of humanities, the department of biological and environmental sciences, the chemistry department and the department of mathematical sciences.

The programme first provides an overview of ecotoxicology as a scientific discipline and then you will apply this knowledge in laboratory courses and finally in individual master works. We will put equal emphasis on theory and practice. The aim is to obtain skills that are necessary for identifying ecotoxicological problems, recognizing essential knowledge gaps and developing appropriate problem-solving strategies.

Teaching methods

Besides providing an education in ecotoxicology per se, the master programme provides tools for self-study towards a set goal - in a team with supervisors and peers. It teaches on how you can communicate within a scientific and public context. Many of the courses use problem-based learning approaches in small groups and ample time will always be given for discussions, exchange of knowledge, and critical reviews.

Contents

The master programme is structured in three main parts:

1. Introduction: Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, Introduction to Statistics and Modelling in Ecotoxicology; Environmental Impact Assessment
2. Core courses: Physiological and Molecular Ecotoxicology, Ecotoxicology from an Ecological Perspective and Chemical Risk Assessment
3. Individual master work (1 year) as member in a research team or, alternatively, additional specialised courses at University of Gothenburg or another University plus a half-year master work.

Career

The programme is aimed at students with an interest in environmental sciences that have a basic competence in biology, chemistry or related fields. The programme leads to a Master of Science degree. Successful participants will have the necessary skills to work either with regulatory authorities, environmental consultants or in chemical industry. It also opens up the possibility to further pursue an international university career in the field, for example as a PhD student.

More information

http://www.science.gu.se/eng...

Entrance requirements and application

Entrance Requirements:

Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) from a university including at least 90 hec in biology and chemistry (with a minimum of 30 hec in biology and 30 hec in chemistry). The course ES1305, 15 hec (or ES1303, 7.5 hec + ES1304, 7.5 hec) can be counted within the requested 90 hec above. These prerequisites can be waived if an applicant has verifiable equivalent knowledge/skills. English B level or English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 no part under 5.5 or TOEFL 575 p, TWE score 4.5 is also required.

Selection: Selection is based upon the number of credit points from previous university studies, maximum 225 hec.