COURSE OUTLINE
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY ABIO 576a
SPRING 2012
Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone:
e-mail:
Dr. Michele Harmon
SBDG 221
By appointment
(803) 641-3607
micheleh@usca.edu
Lecture:
Credits:
10:50 am - 12:05 PM, T TH in SBDG 108
3
Required lecture text: Cassarett & Doull’s Essentials of Toxicology, 2nd Edition, by Curtis D. Klaassen and John B.
Watkins, III. ISBN 978-0-07-162240-0.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course will provide students with an understanding of the basic concepts of human toxicology as
those concepts apply to environmental toxicology. Couse discussions will include the distribution, cellular penetration, metabolic
conversion, and elimination of toxic agents introduced to the human body. The interaction between foreign chemicals and biological
systems will be studied at the cellular, organ-system, and whole-organism levels.
METHODS OF PRESENTATION AND EVALUATION: lectures and class discussion. Traditional exams will be used to evaluate
student progress in the class. These exams will include multiple choice, terms/definitions, and essay/short answer. Students should
bring a pencil and a long-form Scantron to each exam.
The final course grade will be based on the following:
3 Lecture exams @ 100 pts. each
1 Final exam @ 200 pts.
Case study research assignments
Homework
GRADING SCALE:
300
200
100
50
650 total pts. available
A (90-100%), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59)
ATTENDANCE POLICY: The instructor may impose a penalty for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class meetings
(lectures and labs) by assigning an “F” in the course. Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student from meeting
class assignments. Lecture exam dates are clearly stated in the syllabus, and all students are expected to take the exam at the regularly
scheduled time. Make-up lecture exams will be considered only for a documented, excusable reason. If there is an illness or
emergency, you are expected to contact the instructor immediately. Be prepared to show documentation (doctor’s excuse, etc.).
Failure to contact the instructor within 24 hours will forfeit any chance of making up the test.
Attending lecture and taking notes is the sole responsibility of the student. Under no circumstance will the instructor provide copies
of lecture notes or slides for students.
DISABILITY STATEMENT: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability which might affect your performance
in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 126A B&E, (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability
Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
POLICY FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers,
MP3 players, iPods, etc., during class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student from the
instructor or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be turned off and
stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you
are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Schedule for ABIO 576a, Spring 2012
Date
Topic
Jan 10
Jan 12
Jan 17
Jan 19
Jan 24
Jan 26
Jan 31
Feb 2
Feb 7
Feb 9
Feb 14
Feb 16
Feb 21
Feb 23
Feb 28
Mar 1
Mar 6-8
Mar 13
Mar 15
Mar 20
Mar 22
Mar 27
Mar 29
Apr 3
Apr 5
Apr 10
Apr 12
Apr 17
Apr 19
Final Exam
Basic principles of toxicology
Disposition and toxic mechanisms
Disposition and toxic mechanisms
Disposition and toxic mechanisms
Disposition and toxic mechanisms
Human Risk Assessment and Toxicity Databases
Biotransformations of Xenobiotics
Exam 1
Chemical carcinogenesis
Genetic toxicology &Developmental toxicology
Toxic response of the blood
Toxic response of the immune system
Toxic response of the liver
Toxic response of the kidney
Toxic response of the respiratory system
Exam 2
Spring Break
Toxic response of the nervous system
Toxic response of the cardiovascular system
Toxic response of the skin
Toxic response of the reproductive system
Toxic response of the endocrine system
No class today
Toxic response of the endocrine system
Pesticides
Metals
Exam 3
Animal venoms and poisons
Plants fungi and algae
Tuesday, May 1 at 11:00 am
Chapter in
Textbook
1-2
3&5
3&5
3&5
3&5
4
6
8
9&10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
19
20
21
21
22
23
26
27
CHANGES: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the lecture or laboratory schedule, the number of quizzes and
exams given, and the contents of each exam as deemed necessary.
COMPUTER USE AND EMAIL: Lecture outlines and any additional materials (handouts, extra figures, bonus quizzes, etc.) will be
provided for students on Blackboard. Students are urged to print necessary materials prior to class time. Blackboard can be accessed
through VIP (http://vip.sc.edu). Refer to the Blackboard help menus for information on accessing and using Blackboard. Blackboard
login difficulties should be brought to the attention of Computer Services.
All official email communications, including class announcements, are made to USCA email accounts. Students should check their
USCA email account on a regular basis and use this account for communication with the instructor. In order to protect the privacy of
the student, the instructor will not reply to emails sent from non-USCA accounts (e.g., Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.).