BB551: Toxicology

Description

The following main topics are contained in the course: Toxicology/ecotoxicology Biology/biochemistry Physiology The overarching themes of the course are: Cellular processes involved in toxic effects Organ specific toxic effects Toxicity mediated through nuclear receptors The effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in humans and other vertebrates The molecular mechanisms of metal- and nano particle toxicity, as well as natural toxins found in mushrooms and plants. Sources of interspecies differences in toxicological response The effects of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Planned lessons: Total number of planned lessons: 80 Hereof: Common lessons in classroom/auditorium: 32 Team lessons in classroom: 12 Team lessons in laboratory: 36 The lectures will be based upon the curriculum prepared by the teachers, as well as primary and secondary literature available through Itslearning. Every subject is presented with a focus on what can be found in the curriculum, as well as the background for this information. For example, in the lecture about hepatotoxins, the anatomy and physiology of the liver is presented as background knowledge. A basic understanding of organ systems is necessary to study the toxic effects of model compounds on the human body. Teaching will consist of introductory lectures on the academic subjects of the course, followed by seminars of group work and dialogue-based teaching, allowing for a deeper understanding of the subjects. The study mainly consists of the following activities: Answering assignments in order to discuss these in the lab exercise sections. Preparations for the laboratory work Self study of various parts of the course material. Reflection upon the intro and training sections. This course follows the principles of teaching for active learning, so lectures will therefore contain certain interactive elements e.g. group work, discussions, presentations and digital tools. For the laboratory course, students are asked to perform risk assessment of their experiments. The students must prepare for every experiment, before undertaking it in the laboratory. This is part of the prerequisite to take the exam, and time has been dedicated to this in the course schedule. The final scheduled block of laboratory work is dedicated to oral presentation of results from the work in the lab, which will be closely related to the theory presented during the course. Mini Case Studies Short real-world scenarios linked to toxicology where students analyze and discuss possible outcomes and mechanisms. Delivered either at the end of a lecture or as a 10-minute group exercise. Peer Teaching Sessions Students work in pairs or small groups to explain a concept to each other (e.g., mechanism of toxin action, organ physiology basics, OECD test guidelines). Helps reinforce understanding and communication skills. Quick Knowledge Quizzes with Digital Tools Use itslearning for 10-minute quizzes at the start or end of lectures. Keeps engagement high and provides feedback on learning. Other planned teaching activities: Self-Study and Reading: Students review textbook chapters, Itslearning resources, and primary literature to deepen theoretical knowledge. Assignment Work: Completion of problem sets or written reflections for discussion during seminars. Laboratory Preparation: Reading lab protocols, planning experiments, and conducting risk assessments before performing practical work. Group Collaboration: Students meet outside class or online to work on group assignments or prepare reports and oral presentations.