Student Courses

C5 – Invasive Plant Species

An introduction to the assessment of the chemical, biological, and hydromorphological status of water bodies. Monitoring of invasive plant species along watercourses and hydrochemical sample analysis.

In preparation

C6 – Sediment Analysis

This course introduces sediment analysis in aquatic ecosystems, including sampling, physical, chemical, and biological characterization, and linking results to water quality and environmental assessment.

In preparation

C7 – Geographic Analysis / GIS

In this course, you will learn to use GIS tools for water resource monitoring and environmental assessment, analyze geospatial and hydrological data, and present results through clear maps and outputs.

In preparation

Basic Information

Duration: 3 days
Number of participants: max. 16 students

The course will be taught in English. Study materials will also be available in Czech and German.

Program

Course Aim

Students will gain an overview of trace analysis in aquatic environments with a focus on assessing wastewater pollution and will become familiar with the following topics:

• relevant legal frameworks at the European level (WFD, UWWTD)
• general structure of sample analysis procedures
• overview of laboratory guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• basic principles of SPE, LC-MS, and data analysis using Excel or R
• origin and biochemical background of pharmaceutical pollutants
• assessment of pharmaceutical pollutant removal in wastewater treatment plants
• identification of river sections polluted by wastewater

Requirements / Previous Knowledge

• mandatory participation in safety training on the first day of the course
• basic knowledge of laboratory procedures (e.g. pipetting) and disposal rules for commonly used substances and solutions
• experience with sterile work and working with GMOs is an advantage
• the course can be taken independently and does not build on any other course within the module

Participants are asked to bring their own laptop with R and RStudio or Excel installed.

Course Schedule

Day 1 – at TUD / in Dresden

approx. 3–4 hours; Monday 13:00–17:30
23 March 2026

• Introduction (participants’ background and expectations)
• Division into 4 groups + assignment of seminar topics
• Introduction to the IDEAL project
• Basic lectures on chemical analytics, micropollutants, and monitoring
• General laboratory and safety instructions

Day 2 – at TUD / in Dresden

Tuesday 09:30–16:30
24 March 2026

• Specific laboratory and safety instructions, lab coats
• Preparation of wastewater samples (filtration, SPE) in parallel groups (10:00–12:30 / 13:30–16:00)
• Demonstration measurements using LC-MS/MS and data analysis in parallel groups (10:00–12:30 / 13:30–16:00)
• Lunch break (finger food, drinks)
• Optional accompanying activity: city tour / boat trip / wine bar (17:30–20:00, self-paid)

Day 3 – online

approx. 1.5–2 hours; Thursday 13:00–15:00

• Optional consultations on seminar topics and data analysis

Day 4 – online

approx. 3–4 hours; Friday
27 March 2026

• Seminar topic presentations
• Data evaluation, calculation of removal efficiency in wastewater treatment plants
• Discussion of results and conclusion
• Short questionnaire, course evaluation

Basic Information

Duration: 3 days
23. 2. 2025 (online) + 24. 2. 2025 or 25. 2. 2025 (laboratory day) + 27. 2. 2025 (online)

Participants: max. 16 students, divided into 4 groups (for Day 2)

Course Aim

Students will gain insight into aquatic ecotoxicology with a focus on assessing wastewater pollution and will become familiar with:

• relevant legal frameworks at the European level (WFD – Water Framework Directive, UWWTD – Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive)
• general structure of biotests
• overview of key biotest guidelines and methodologies (in vivo and in vitro, OECD, ISO)
• assessment of the reduction of (eco)toxic effects during wastewater treatment
• identification of river sites polluted by wastewater using in vitro biotests
• application of effect-based methods with a focus on mutagenicity, hormonal potential, and herbicide toxicity

Requirements / Previous Knowledge

• mandatory participation in safety training on Day 1
• basic knowledge of laboratory procedures such as pipetting, handling, and regulations for commonly used substances and solutions
• experience with sterile working practices and working with GMOs is an advantage
• the course can be taken independently and does not build on any other course within this module

Course Schedule

Day 1 – online

(approx. 3–4 hours, 09:00–13:00) – 23. 2. 2025

• Introduction (students’ professional background and expectations of the course)
• Division into 4 groups
• Introduction to the IDEAL project
• Basic lectures on ecotoxicology / effect-based methods / biomonitoring
• Safety training

Day 2 – at TUD / in Dresden

(09:30–17:00) – groups 1 and 2 (24. 2. 2025)

• Ames test (09:30–11:45 and 12:45–14:15) – in parallel groups
• Combined algae test (14:30–16:30) – in parallel groups
• Laboratory tour
• Optional additional offer: guided tour of Dresden’s historic city center (17:30–20:00)

Day 2 – at TUD / in Dresden

(09:30–17:00) – groups 3 and 4 (25. 2. 2025)

• Ames test (09:30–11:45 and 12:45–14:15) – in parallel groups
• Combined algae test (14:30–16:30) – in parallel groups
• Laboratory tour
• Optional additional offer: guided tour of Dresden’s historic city center (17:30–20:00)

Day 3 – online

(approx. 5–6 hours, 09:00–15:00) – 27. 2. 2025

• Review of biotesting methods used in the laboratory
• Evaluation of the tests
• Assessment of results and conclusions
• What do these results mean?
• Use of effect-based methods in research, public authorities, and water management
• Short questionnaire, course evaluation