Entry requirements

The education follows a regulated study route, which implies that the courses should be read in an established order. For admission to a new term, passed compulsory parts are required from earlier semesters and that all examinations except one from the previous semester is passed. After interruption of studies, it is required that all courses from the previous terms are passed.

Learning outcomes

The course intends to give an introduction to environmental toxicology from a medical point of view.

After the course, the student should:

- have knowledge of the properties of pollutants, effects, origin and occurrence in the environment

- have an understanding of ill-health and diseases that are related to exposure to chemicals in human everyday life

- have tools to be able to identify environmental toxicological problems in his professional role as a physician

- possess the knowledge base and the scientific language that enable him or her to communicate environmental toxicological problems to colleagues and responsible public authorities

Content

The course deals with toxicological aspects on human absorption, distribution and metabolism of foreign substances. Transmission, exposure and health effects of toxic metals and organic pollutants is described and in connection with this how regulation of intake/exposure of such substances can take place through the setting of limit values and dietary advice. During the course, radio toxicology is studied and the importance of air pollution in both indoor - and outdoor environment. Toxicological effects of contaminated soil are described with special emphasis on the importance for housing construction. More specialised studies are made during the course of large environmental disasters of hormone-disturbing pollutants and of pharmaceuticals in the environment.

Instruction

The teaching is done through lectures, study visits and seminars. Each student obtains an advanced assignment that concerns some environmental toxicological problem.

Assessment

Examination takes place through written examination and a written and oral presentation of the individual advanced assignment.

For a Pass grade in the course, participation in all compulsory parts of the course and approved examination and passed advanced assignment are required.

To participate in examinations, the student should have accomplished all compulsory parts of the course with approved result.

A student that has failed examination has the right to go through examination a further 4 times (= total 5 examinations). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee may admit additional examinations. As examination, the times are counted the student participates in an examination. Submission of so called blank exam is counted as an examination.