Course: Stable isotopes in biology and environmental science

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Course title Stable isotopes in biology and environmental science
Course code KEBR/620
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Doctoral
Year of study not specified
Frequency of the course In each academic year, in the summer semester.
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Janová Jitka, Mgr.
Course content
Content of lectures 1. Isotopes and isotope fractionation: principles and definitions. 2. Isotope analysis: instrumentation. 3. Sampling, sample preparation for isotope analysis, laboratory standards and quality control. 4. Carbon isotopes in photosynthesis. 5. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopes in plant water. 6. Isotopes in the hydrological cycle. 7. Carbon transformations in soil. 8. Isotopes in the ecology of animals and man. 9. The oxygen isotope composition of plant tissues. 10. Nitrogen isotopes in the plant-soil system. 11. The natural sulfur cycle and integrated S-isotope fractionations. 12. Compound- and position-specific isotope signals in bio-geochemical studies. 13. Geographical origin determinations and forensics. Practical training is organised in form of "miniprojects", i.e. research tasks which are selected by the students and work on it in couples under a supervision of the lecturers for six days. On the seventh day, students present methods, results and conclusions of their studies. The topics of miniprojects follow the subjects of lectures. As a part of the practice, students prepare manuscript of scientific paper on the subject of the miniproject which should be submitted to supervisor usually in two weeks after the end of course.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing)
  • Class attendance - 60 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The course aims to advance the theoretical and practical knowledge on stable isotopes techniques and their application in biology and environmental science.
The graduate will posses knowledge on natural occurence and fractionation of stable isotopes in plant and animal bodies and in their environment. He/she will be able to design and evaluate the experiments based on stable isotope labelling techniques.
Prerequisites
Secondary school knowledge in biochemistry and biology is expected. Students should be fluent in English. Foreign students participate and lectures as well as practical training are hold in English.

Assessment methods and criteria
Combined exam

Under supervision of project leader student works on a mini-project and refers about his/her work at the course meeting in the last day of the course. After the course (usually in 2-3 weeks), the student has to submit standard manuscript referring about his/her investigation. Examination is oral or in the form of written test, the course is credited after successful presentation and defence of the project results.
Recommended literature
  • Dawson, T.E., Siegwolf R.T.W. (Eds.) 2007. Stable Isotopes as Indicators of Ecologicalk Change. Elsevier..
  • Ehleringer J.R., Hall A.E., Farquhar G.D. (Eds) 1993. Stable isotopes and Plant Carbon-Water Relations. Academic Press, London..
  • Fry B. 2006. Stable Isotope Ecology. Springer.
  • Griffiths H. (Ed) 1998. Stable isotopes. Integration of biological, ecological and geochemical processes. Bios, Oxford, UK..
  • Griffiths H. et al.1999: Stable isotopes reveal exchanges between soil, plants and the atmosphere. In: Press M.C., Scholes J., Barker M.G. (eds.) Physiological Plant Ecology. Blackwell Sci..
  • Šantrůček J., Šantrůčková H. a kol. Stabilní izotopy biogenních prvků. Použití v biologii a ekologii. Praha, 2018. ISBN 978-80-200-2772-6.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Fyziologie a vývojová biologie (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Hydrobiology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Physiology and Developmental Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Hydrobiology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Ecosystem Biology (1) Category: Ecology and environmental protection - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Hydrobiology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Physiology and Developmental Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Physiology and Developmental Biology (1) Category: Biology courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Summer