Entry requirements

150 credits completed courses including 60 credits biology including 12 credits Toxicology, and 30 credits chemistry or 30 credits earth science.

Learning outcomes

The main objectives of the course are to give the students knowledge about toxicological mechanisms and understanding as well as training in the risk assessment process for chemicals. After having completed the course the students should be able to:

• Explain how tissue-specific toxicity depends on presence and activity of transport proteins and enzymes in different cells and tissues
• Understand and use histopathological terminology and evaluate histopathological changes in different organs
• Carry out dissections and identify anatomical changes in animals exposed to chemicals
• Explain why animals are particularly sensitive to adverse effects by chemicals during different developmental periods
• Interpret results from different toxicological tests and evaluate their significance for risk assessment
• Critically review and evaluate toxicological studies
• Carry out a risk assessment and present it orally and in writing
• Critically review risk assessments

Content

The course contains the following parts: Metabolism dependent toxicity: An overview of how chemicals can be activated through biotransformation catalysed by specific enzymes in different tissues.

Toxicity at the histological level: Basic histology and histopathology and presentation of mechanisms for lesions at the cellular level. The students perform studies of histological sections.

Anatomical changes: Basic anatomy and anatomical changes as a consequence of exposure for toxic chemicals. Dissections and autopsy auscultations are included.

Comparative developmental toxicology: Presentation of structural and functional changes that can be induced during the developmental period in different animal classes.

Toxicological mechanisms: Description of different mechanisms for genotoxicity, cell death and organ toxicity following exposure to chemicals.

Exposure for chemicals: Presentation of different routes via which animals and people are exposed to chemicals.

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

Risk assessment: Studies of health risk assessments of chemicals and an individual project in which risk assessment of a chosen chemical is done. The project is presented orally and a written report is prepared. Some lectures are given by people from a risk assessing authority.

Instruction

Teaching includes lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, computer exercises and an individual project. Participation in seminars, practicals, exercises and the individual project is compulsory.

Assessment

Modules: Theory 9 credits Project Work 4 HE credits; Exercises and laboratory sessions 2 HE credits

Theory is examined through a written exam. The project is examined through written and oral presentations and critical review of other course participants' project presentations. Exercises and practicals: require active participation and a written exam is given on the histology and histopathology part.