Entry requirements

120 credits including 60 credits biology and 30 credits chemistry or 30 credits earth science.

Learning outcomes

As an overall aim the student should understand how different toxicological effect variables can be utilised in risk assessment of chemicals. The course gives a specialisation based on the Bachelor level course in toxicology and has the risk assessment perspective in focus.

After the course, the student should be able to

• explain how injuries on specific cells and tissues can arise as a consequence of precence and activity of different enzymes.
• explain fundamental histopathologic concept
• evaluate histopathologic changes in different organs
• examplify how a molecular interaction leads to morphological pathology
• carry out dissections and identify the organs in animal from different animal classes (mammals, birds, fish, amphibians)
• identify anatomic changes in animals exposed for different toxic chemicals
• summarise similarities and differences in the developmental phase of different animal classes
• explain the basis for differences in sensitivity to chemicals of different developmental stages
• summarise how different genetic tests should be interpreted and describe their importance for risk assessment
• carry out genetic toxicity tests
• evaluate exposure in relation to the risk
• critically review and assess epidemiological studies
• understand the reasoning behind risk assessments
• defend own risk assessments
• criticise review risk assessments

Content

The course contains the following part:

Metabolism-dependent toxicity: An overview of how chemicals can be activated through biotransformation that catalyses enzymes in different tissues.

Toxicity at the histological level: Basic histology and histopatologi and present mechanisms for injuries at the cellular level. The students perform studies of histological samples.

Anatomic changes: Basic anatomy in different animal classes and anatomic changes as a consequence of exposure for toxic chemicals. Dissections of treated and control animals are carried out. Autopsy auscultations at SVA are included.

Comparing development toxicology: Presentation of structural and functional changes that can be induced during the development of animals of different classes. The students carry out dissections.

Genetic toxicology: Description of different mechanisms for chemical induced genetic injuries. Genetic toxicity tests used in risk assessments are presented.

Exposure for chemicals: Presentation of different paths by which animals and people are exposed to different chemicals.

Epidemiology: Description of principles and methods for carrying out epidemiological studies. Example of epidemiological studies are presented.

Risk assessment: Studies of environment and health risk assessments of different classes of chemicals and individual project dealing with risk assessment of some chemical. The project is completed with oral and written presentation of the risk assessment. During this part, lecturers are included from authorities and pharmaceutical industry.

Modules: Theory 10 credits; Project Work 3 credits; Exercises and laboratory sessions 2 credits

Instruction

The teaching is given as lectures seminars and laboratory sessions.

Assessment

Theory: Written examination equivalent to 10 credits. Project: Written and oral presentation of the project and opposition on other student project, 3 credits. Exercises and laboratory sessions: Written examination on histology and histopatolocigal samples and written presentation of laboratory sessions equivalent to 2 credits.