Ecotoxicology

Ecotoxicology is the study of the effects of pollutants on living organisms and on the structure and functioning of ecosystems. This course unit aims to provide a better understanding of:

- the main types of organic and inorganic pollutants (both historical and emerging), as well as their sources and the factors influencing their fate in the natural environment and in organisms,

- the effects of pollutants on micro- and macro-organisms at different levels of biological organization (molecule, individual, communities),

- methods for assessing biological effects, environmental quality, and ecotoxicological risk within the current European regulatory framework,

- bioremediation processes, as illustrated by several case studies.

- fundamentals of biology, ecology, biochemistry, and microbiology

This introductory course can potentially lead to several specialized master’s programs in ecotoxicology (research or professional tracks):

- Master's in Biology and Ecology, EPET track: Ecophysiology and Ecotoxicology, Sorbonne Paris

- Master's in Environmental Management, ETOX track: Ecotoxicology, Metz

- Master's in Toxicology and Ecotoxicology, EXCE track: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Chemistry, Bordeaux

- Master's in Environmental and Human Toxicology, Angers

- Master's in Environmental Management, RE Track: Risk & Environment, Le Havre

- Master's in Risk and the Environment, specialization: Biodiversity, Health, and the Environment, Reims

- Subject-specific skills:

A-6 Understand the applications of organismal biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology (health, agronomy, conservation, restoration)

C-7 Understand the impact of stress and natural and human-induced disturbances on biodiversity (from the organism to the biosphere)

D-2 Understanding of major physiological functions and their diversity, in interaction with the biotic or abiotic environment

- Cross-functional skills:

H-4 Understand health and safety rules in the lab and in the field

I-2 Be able to draw on knowledge from various biological disciplines to analyze a document, an observation, or the results of an experiment

I-4 Be able to make connections between knowledge of organismal biology, evolutionary biology, and ecology, and economic and social issues