Course | Environment, Risks, and Us |
Instructor | Dr. Ismene Jäger, Prof. Dr. Dirk Bunke (WS 19/20)
info[at]oekologischenetze.de, D.Bunke@oeko.de |
Prerequisites | Introduction to EES or
Introduction to Life Sciences |
Corresponding Module | Human and the Environment, Specialization Option: EES I or II,
Advanced LS I, II or III, Electives |
In this course students explore the manifold impacts of human activities on the environment and resulting risks – for human health as well as for the environment. The course aims to create an understanding of present sources for environmental pollution, alternative options to act as well on regulatory and voluntary steps for abatement. Based on examples from everyday life products, several groups of pollutants and their sources will be introduced. Examples are given to show the environmental fate of chemicals and mechanisms how chemicals can interfere with organisms. . In addition, students develop basic skills in environmental risk assessment and management strategies. The course will include topics such as properties of eco-labels, assessment of chemicals e.g. chemicals in products from your everyday life, ecotoxicology, assessment of contaminants in surface/drinking waters and their effects on human health, environmental pollutants and their effect on animals, their regulation and their substitution. The course also includes two excursions and several practical examples. |