Type of course

The course can be taken as a singular course.

PhD students at UiT register for classes and exam in SøknadsWeb before 1. September. The registration starts on the 15th of May.

Other applicants apply for admission through SøknadsWeb before 1. June. Application code 9301. For applicants who are granted a seat, a study right will be created, and these applicants apply for a seat by registering for classes in StudentWeb before 1. September.

The study right gives the applicant admission to register to other open PhD courses or apply for a seat to PhD courses where entry is limited.

Admission requirements

Who can apply as a singular course student:

• PhD student enrolled at another institution than UiT. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that there are registered PhD students. This group of applicants does not have to prove English proficiency and are exempt from semester fee.
• Holders of a master´s degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. These applicants must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you, see the following list: Proficiency in English must be documented - list of countries. For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document: Proficiency in english - PhD level studies

Course content

The course focuses upon principles of ecotoxicology (contaminant transport, uptake by organisms, effects). Classes of pollutants of concern in Arctic environments as well as other man made impacts (eutrophication, acidification). Pollutants are introduced along with their presence/effects in Arctic environments and in relation to climate change impacts and environmental management.

The course is based on the same lectures as BIO-3009, in addition to writing a scientific essay to deepen understanding of pollution and ecotoxicology in Arctic ecosystems. The topic of the essay is defined together with each student and the course responsible.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge:

• describe the specificity of Arctic ecosystems.
• know the main types of pollution (persistent organic pollutants, microplastics, radioactivity, heavy metals and hydrocarbons) and explain their occurrence/transport in the Arctic.
• understand the accumulation of contaminants in biota, their trophic transfer and biotransformation.
• describe the effects of pollutants at the individual (physiology), population and ecosystem levels.
• have an understanding of environmental monitoring of pollutants, risk assessment and environmental management in Arctic regions.
• have a basic knowledge of climate change, ocean acidification, impacts of aquaculture.

Skills:

• search for relevant scientific literature
• read scientific publications critically
• write an abstract
• implement relevant study designs in ecotoxicology
• write a scientific essay

General competence:

• have a holistic understanding of marine pollution issues in Arctic environments.
• utilize scientific literature to identify information needed to understand, interpret and critically evaluate ecotoxicology-related data
• demonstrate an understanding of legal, regulatory, and ethical considerations relating to ecotoxicology within the broader societal context.
• develop their scientific writing skills
• communicate clearly and concisely their knowledge concerning the fundamentals in the basic areas of Arctic marine ecotoxicology.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods