Microplastic Pollution and Ecotoxicology
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Microplastic pollution has garnered much attention in recent years, yet much is still unknown regarding the extent and threat posed by this pollutant. We will review the recent and seminal literature focusing on the distribution of plastic pollution and the negative effects on the environment. Our goal is to build a strong foundation of knowledge about this emerging field and recognize the current gaps in understanding its effects on wildlife. Although this is not a laboratory class, methods and materials on how to sample, isolate, and quantify microplastic pollution in various samples will be reviewed and demonstrated for researchers interested in collecting measurements in the field.
This is a 1-credit equivalent academic course (16 contact hrs + additional work) where you learn at your own pace over 3 months.
PREREQUISITES
None
COURSE FORMATS
Reach out to your instructor over a 1-month period to get help as you work through prerecorded lectures, reading peer-reviewed papers, and other assigned readings. You then have access to the course for an additional 2 months with less consistent support. Instructor support includes emailing your instructor, accessing live discussion threads, and scheduling one-on-one appointments (Zoom or phone) about course material, your research, datasets from work, etc. Each Tuesday and Thursday, participants will attend live 2-hr discussions with the instructor to discuss these materials. The final assessment will be a 3-page prospectus that proposes research that would potentially fill our gaps in knowledge regarding microplastic pollution. A few weeks later, students will make oral argument (using presentation software) on why their proposed study should be considered for funding. Students taking the course for academic credit will be graded on this final presentation.
1 month of consistent support followed by 2 months of access to course materials with limited support
Dates: Summer 2024
INSTRUCTOR
1 month of consistent support followed by 11 months of access to course materials
Dates: Summer 2024
Extent of MP pollution in sediment, water, and soil
Routes of MP Exposure in the environment
Sampling techniques for MPs in water, soil, and animal tissues
MP Toxicology in Wildlife
Size and density separation of MP samples
Quantification of MP in samples
Research proposals and oral arguments
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT
This course has been pre-approved for continuing education by (1) the Ecological Society of America for 4 CEUs in Category I(a): Scientific Education and Training, and (2) The Wildlife Society for 16 CEUs in Category I of the Certified Wildlife Biologist® Renewal/Professional Development Certificate Program. Participants must complete all exercises to earn CEUs and receive a Certificate of Course Completion. See our continuing education credit page for details.
UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE CREDIT
This 1-semester credit equivalent course can be taken with pre-approval from an administrator at a student’s college or university. In addition to meeting the requirements for course completion, students must take a final assessment to earn academic credit (e.g., Pass/Fail, letter grade) for this course. See our academic credit page for details.
MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ESA CERTIFICATION
This course is approved by the Ecological Society of America for 1 semester hour of qualified coursework that can be used to meet the minimum education requirements in Physical and Mathematical Science. ESA requires a grade of B- or higher for this course to count towards the academic credit requirements associated with Certification.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Full scholarships are available to participants from countries designated as “lower income” and “lower middle income” in the World Bank List of Economies. Please see our CWS World Scholars Program page for details.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations 30 days or more before the start date are not subject to cancellation fees. Cancellations <30 days before the start date are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. No refunds once the course begins.