Course Overview
This course provides an introduction to the principles of toxicology, specifically: toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) and toxicodynamics (acute, chronic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects). Additional topic areas include: inorganic and organic environmental contaminants, dose-response curves, bioassays, biomarkers, and related case studies.
Prerequisite(s)
Credits
2.5
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Discuss the broad and encompassing spectrum of the science of toxicology, focusing on its history, fields and interdisciplinary nature.
- Provide examples of important sources of environmental toxicants: air, water, soil, and biota matrices.
- Apply basic toxicology terms and concepts, such as exposure pathway, exposure route, exposure time frame, dose, and bioavailability.
- Distinguish between the toxicokinetic processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
- Assess fundamental toxicodynamic responses: acute, chronic, mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic and neurological effects.
- Calculate and plot LD50 mortality frequency distributions based on log-normal, cumulative and probit scales.
- Interpret dose-response curves with respect to toxicity ratings, potency/efficacy, slope, therapeutic index, and margin of safety.
- Outline the mechanism of chemical carcinogenesis with respect to genotoxic and epigenetic carcinogens.
- Evaluate the health and environmental effects of several priority environmental contaminants: metals, organics, pesticides and endocrine disruptors.
- Discuss the general attributes of ecotoxicology and the role of biomarkers of exposure or effect.
- Distinguish between bioaccumulation, bioconcentration, and biomagnification.
- Generate a comprehensive toxicological review paper on a priority environmental contaminant.
Effective as of Fall 2009
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.