| Responsible Department | Department of Agriculture and Ecology
50 % Department of Basic Science and Environment 50 % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earliest Possible Year | BSc. 3 year to MSc. 2 year | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | One block | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Credits | 7.5 (ECTS) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Level of Course | Joint BSc and MSc | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Examination | Final Examination oral examination All aids allowed Description of Examination: Oral examination in reports and curriculum 7-point scale, internal examiner | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Requirement for Attending Exam | Submission of at least 75% of exercise reports | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Block Placement | Block 1 Week Structure: A | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Language of Instruction | English | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Optional Prerequisites | Basic courses in chemistry, biology, plant physiology, statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restrictions | 30 persons due to lab. constrains | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Content | |||||||||||||||||||||
| The rationale behind the development of pesticides, their use and physical and chemical properties is the frame of references of the course. The importance of mode of action and site(s) of action of pesticides will be stressed and linked to chemical properties, uptake, translocation and metabolism in target and non-target organisms. The principles of assessing pesticide selectivity will be an integral part of the course as is the research and development of pesticides in Industry and public institutions . We deal with formulations of pesticides and use of adjuvants to enhance efficacy, either by the manufacture or by the end user. Various reference models to assess joint action of pesticide mixtures is taught and the implication to their use is validated and side effects are described. We focus on aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology in relation to pesticide loads, intentional and not intentional discharge in the environment and also the ecotoxicological effects of pesticides on population and communities. Risk assessment of the pesticide use is evaluated in relation to ecotoxicology, and the national and international registration systems is an important issue to address. The course also consists of an excursion to Cheminova A/S and a private field testing company Agrolab A/S | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Teaching and learning Methods | |||||||||||||||||||||
| MethodsLectures will outline the theoretical background for pesticide chemistry and physical properties, their use and effect on target and non-target organisms and the environment. These lectures are supported by practical and theoretical exercises The practical exercises are in the field, greenhouse and in growth chambers and will address the topics: application, assessment of efficacy, Species selectivity, systemicity, effect of exposure duration, use of non-lethal endpoints, pesticide uptake, mode of action, recovery and mixture toxicity. The test organisms are terrestrial and aquatic plants, crustaceans, earthworms and fungi. Standard OECD and ISO guidelines and other setups will be used. The theoretical exercises will deal with proper statistical analysis of the practical exercises by the use of dose-response curves, calculations of spray applications and pesticide load, simple models to assess fate of pesticides in the environment, calculations of uptake and translocation of pesticides in plants, the use of Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR's), calculations and discussions of environmental impact of pesticides, risk assessment and legislation needs. The excursion will take place in the first part of the course, giving an introduction to a pesticide producing chemical company and a company involved in field tests and pesticide registration. An excursion to the pesticide producer Cheminova (http://www.cheminova.com/) and the private field and laboratory testing company Agrolab (http://www.agrolab.dk/) is an integral part of the course. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcome | |||||||||||||||||||||
| To expose students to scientific principles of chemical, physical and biological properties of pesticides, their use in agriculture, horticulture, forestry and public land and their ecotoxicological side effects. The curriculum encompasses the advantages and disadvantages of pesticide, the knowledge of which is instrumental for those who wish to work with pesticide development, their managing and use in industry, agriculture and public domains. Knowledge: - Describe chemical and physical properties of pesticides and their use in crops and their effects on target and non-target organisms. - Summarise the rationale behind pesticide development, mode and site of action - Classify pesticides and reflect about their impact in relation to use, load and ecotoxicology. Skills - Analyse and dose-response curves data from bioassay with various organisms and the joint action of mixtures - Assess efficacy/toxicity on several organism in the field and in greenhouse. - Integrate the Toxicity and ecotoxicity measures of various response variables in registration and use of pesticides - Apply quantitative methods to assess pesticide load, drift and fate in organisms and environment. - Apply decision making in the use of pesticides in crops and elsewhere Competences - Evaluate applications to target and non-target organisms in the terrestrial and aquatic environments. - Put various theories and principles of pesticide action into perspective and make sound judgment of impact of pesticides on environments. - Discuss pesticide use in view of its controversial issue in the public and in some scientific quarters. - Put into perspective the effect of manipulating agro-ecosystems on sustainability in relation to food production | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Literature | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stephenson G.R. and Solomon K.R 2007, Pesticides and the Environment, CNTC Canadian Network of Toxicology Centres. Copping, L.G. and Hewitt, H.G. 1998, Chemistry and Mode of Action of Crop Protection Agents. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK. Cedergreen, N. and Streibig, J.C. 2010, Manual for laboratory and theoretical exercices | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Course Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jens Carl Streibig, jcs@life.ku.dk, Department of Agriculture and Ecology/Crop Science, Phone: 353-33457 Nina Cedergreen, ncf@life.ku.dk, Department of Basic Sciences and Environment/Soil and Environmental Chemistry, Phone: 353-33397 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Study Board | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Study Committee NSN | |||||||||||||||||||||
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