The aim of the course is to provide the basic information about ecotoxicology in order to evaluate correctly the issues of environmental and human health. The course introduces environmental issues related to the presence of xenobiotic chemicals and focuses attention on the mechanisms of cellular toxicity. The processes that lead to persistence / degradation, bioconcentration, bioaccumulation, biomagnification, the use of cellular biomarkers and the use of in vitro cell cultures as a useful tool in the study of toxicity at various levels are the central themes of the course. The laboratory practice aim to teach the main techniques for the in vitro cultivation of mammalian and / or fish cell lines and the procedures necessary to perform cytotoxicity and / or genotoxicity tests.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the training activity the student will acquire knowledge on what are the chemical / physical characteristics of the contaminants and the biotic and abiotic processes capable of influencing their environmental path and toxicity, will be able to describe the general principles to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of different environmental contaminants on various levels of biological organization, research, evaluate, process relevant ecotoxicological information. They will be able to understand, organize and present data relating to an ecotoxicological study.
Applied knowledge and understanding
At the end of the training, the students will have to demonstrate that they are able to experimentally manipulate cells in vitro to be used for ecotoxicological tests.
Autonomy of judgment
During the exercises and the bibliographic study, the student will acquire autonomy of critical judgment on the basis of the knowledge acquired for the assessment of environmental risk and possible remedies.
Communication skills
The student will acquire an appropriate technical language while studying articles provided in class. The methods learned during the exercises include a short practical test. Communication and exhibition skills will be verified during the exam.
Ability to learn
The student will have to demonstrate to be able to use the methods learned to investigate different ecotoxicological problems. The student must be able to critically relate an ecotoxicologica topic through reserch articles in ppt form

The course aims to develop skills in the design and execution of biological monitoring according to the principles and methods contained in current European and Italian legislation.
Knowledge and understanding
The knowledge acquired will concern the general principles on which biological monitoring activities are based, the methodological processes for the implementation of monitoring campaigns and the determination of biological indices of environmental quality.
Knowledge and understanding applied
The application of knowledge will be focused on the methodological study concerning the indices currently in use to evaluate the ecological status of the water courses.
Making judgments
The ability to formulate independent evaluations can be exercised in the interpretation of the results, coordinating the heterogeneous data to arrive at reasoned judgments.
Communication skills
These skills will be developed through the exercise of one's own expression (interventions during the lessons) and in the coordination of group activities.
Learning skills
The methodological study can allow the extension of the concepts and practices to the monitoring application to other environmental matrices.