Entry requirements

60 credits in biology including Molecular Biology and Genetics (10 credits), Cell Biology (15 credits) and Physiology (15 credits). Students must also have taken the courses The Basic Principles of Chemistry (15 credits), Organic Chemistry I (10 credits) and Biochemistry I (5 credits), with 20 credits completed.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• describe basic toxicological principles and describe how different chemicals are taken up by, processed in and eliminated from the body
• describe different the importance of different organs for detoxification/ toxification of chemicals, and describe mechanisms for chemically induced neurotoxicity and endocrine toxicity
• describe different behaviour tests and their importance to discover of different neurological and endocrinological disturbances
• describe when different chemicals are most toxic, and mechanisms behind the effects. Be able to discuss when and how different chemicals can interact under the development to induce effects
• describe different genetic testing methods and injuries after various types of ionising radiation
• apply different toxicological frameworks within the professional disciplines and have awareness about different risk assessment criteria

Content

General toxicological principles and overview of toxic substances: The part includes basic description how substances are absorbed by, distributed and eliminated from the body. The part contains awareness about toxicokinetic models and the processes of biotransformation.

Toxicity in specific target organs ? effects and mechanisms: The part includes basic toxicological knowledge of the effect of chemicals on central organs that are of significance for the uptakes/elimination and detoxification/toxification. Basic knowledge about how the communication systems of the body, the nervous system and the endocrine system is influenced of chemicals.

Behaviour toxicology: The part includes basic behaviour toxicological knowledge, how behavioural techniques can reveal chemicals that give functional disturbances

Development toxicology: The part includes basic knowledge of different developmental phases; embryonic and embryonic development, development during the neonatal period. Critical developmental phases then teratogenic injuries and functional disturbances are induced.

Genetic toxicology and ionising radiation: The part includes basic knowledge about genetic injuries and general genetic testing methods and mechanisms behind chemically induced injuries and injuries after ionising radiation.

Toxicology in the society: Environmental toxicology, food toxicology, clinical toxicology, epidemiology, risk assessment.

Instruction

Lectures, group tuition, seminars and laboratory sessions. Attendance at the laboratory work and connected lessons is compulsory. The course may be given in English.

Assessment

Modules: Theory 10 credits: Written examination

Laboratory sessions 4 credits: Written laboratory reports

Literature assignment 1 credit: Written and oral presentation of literature assignment

A passing grade for the entire course requires passing grades for the laboratory work and seminars.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Transitional provisions

This course and the course 1BG381 Toxicology D cannot both be included in the same degree.