Instructor:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone: e-mail:
Dr. Michele Harmon
SBDG 221
By appointment
(803) 641-3607 micheleh@usca.edu
COURSE OUTLINE
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY BIOL 576a
SPRING 2014
Lecture:
Credits:
8:00 – 9:15 AM, T TH in SBDG 108
3
Required lecture text: None. Handouts will be provided for printing via Blackboard.
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
In class assignments
300
200
100
40
640 total pts. available
GRADING SCALE : 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 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.

Feb 25
Feb 27
Mar 4
Mar 6
Mar 11-13
Mar 18
Mar 20
Mar 25
Mar 27
Apr 1
Apr 3
Apr 8
Apr 10
Apr 15
Schedule for BIOL 576a, Spring 2012
Date Topic
Jan 14 Introduction to Toxicology
Jan 16
Jan 21
Jan 23
Toxic Mechanisms (Assignment 1)
Toxic Mechanisms
Disposition
Jan 28
Jan 30
Feb 4
Feb 6
Feb 11
Feb 13
Feb 18
Feb 20
Disposition
Disposition
Risk (Assignment 2)
Exam 1
Biotransformation
Carcinogens
Carcinogens (Assignment 3)
Developmental Toxicity
Developmental Toxicity (Assignment 4)
Exam 2
Toxic Response of the Blood
Toxic Response of the Blood
Spring Break
Toxic Response of the Immune System
Endocrine Disruption (Case Study Assignment 1 Due)
Toxic Metals
Toxic Metals
Pesticides
Exam 3
Toxic Response of the Respiratory System
No class today
Toxic Response of the Liver
Apr 17
Apr 22
Apr 24
Toxic Plants and Animals
Toxic Food and Radiation (Case Study Assignment 2 Due)
No class today
Final Exam Tuesday, May 6 at 8:00 am
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.).