BB527: Introduction to biological methods for environmental monitoring (5 ECTS)

STADS: 04010201

Level
Bachelor course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.
1st quarter.

Teacher responsible
Email: wiegand@biology.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
atreusch@biology.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Comment:
Erstatter BB504

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
It is assumed that the first year curriculum is known

Course introduction
Environmental monitoring is an important part in current nature conservancy policies. The purpose of the course is to introduce typical sampling and laboratory methods used in the monitoring of environmental water samples. This includes analyses of water parameters, microbiological methods to gauge contamination and enzymatic tests to assess environmental stress on eukaryotic species. After the course the students should be able to perform these analyses in a safe and independent way.

Expected learning outcome
After the course the student is expected to be able to
• Perform quality control on basic laboratory equipment and calibrate pH electrodes and pipettes, use different balances
• Plan and conduct experiments
• Calculate concentrations and pipette dilution series, establish and use calibration curves
• filtrate, extract and determine pigments, spectrophotometric titrat
• Work according to protocols for sterile laboratories
• Use the autoclave, prepare agar plates, perform bacterial cell staining (e.g. DAPI) and counting
• Use the centrifuge and spectrophotometer, calculate enzyme activities
• Work according to safety regulations in the lab including being able to classify and dispose chemical and biological waste
• Report results as presentation and in written form

Subject overview
Lab safety, good laboratory practice (GLP), chemical data sheets, labeling of chemicals, disposal of chemical and biological waste, use of laboratory notebook
Calculation of concentration and molarities
Establishing and use of concentration curves
Preparation of stock solutions, media and buffers
Introduction to water assessment: determination of physicochemical water parameters
Introduction to microbiological methods: sterile techniques, bacterial cell staining and counting
Introduction to enzymatic biomarker tests: enzyme extraction, determination of enzyme activities, protein content
Dissemination of results in a short scientific presentation
Report writing
 

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Approval of active participation, presentation of results and report (pass / fail). Internal marking by teacher.

Re-examination during 1st quarter

 

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.

Forelæsninger (10 timer), laboratorieøvelser (32 timer), databehanling og mundtlige præsentationer (8 timer). 
(De angivne timetal er vejledende og der vil muligvis forekomme afvigelser).
Educational activities

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.