COURSE ACTION DOCUMENTATION
TOX 501 PRINCPLES OF TOXICOLOGY
COURSE JUSTIFICATION
There is great public interest and concern over matters of human health and environmental quality. We
commonly hear news reports of health problems that might be caused by some chemical(s), but few
people have sufficient background to understand the problems in detail. Toxicology, the study of adverse
effects of chemical contaminants on living systems, forms the basis of our ability to predict and prevent
adverse effects to human health and the environment. Without an understanding of the basic principles of
toxicology, one cannot make a fully informed decision about the true risks and benefits of anthropogenic
chemicals. This course will provide that background, and is designed for graduate students in
environmental health statistics, environmental assessment, as well as professional practitioners in the
field.
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Chris Hofelt, Teaching Assistant Professor
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and apply the fundamental principles toxicology to environmental problems.
2. Explain how and why toxicological processes and events occur in nature.
3. Evaluate the adverse effects of chemical contaminants to human health and the environment.
RESOURCES
No new resources will be required to teach this course.
TEXTBOOK
Hodgson; A Textbook of Modern Toxicology; 3rd edition; 2004. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Hoboken, NJ $75
CONSULTATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS
We have received enthusiastic support and encouragement from Directors of Graduate Programs in
PAMS, and CNR. (See Attachments)
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COURSE SYLLABUS
_____________________________________________________________________________________
TOX 501 - PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY (4 Credits)
COURSE INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Chris Hofelt, Teaching Assistant Professor
Toxicology Building, Room 1220
513-4893
c_hofelt@ncsu.edu
Office hours and location: Toxicology Building Room 1220 Wednesdays 1:00 to 3:00PM
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to the basic principles of toxicology, including the history and scope of the field; absorption,
distribution, metabolism and elimination of toxicants; types and mechanisms of toxic action;
carcinogenesis; environmental toxicology as well as human and ecological risk assessment.
PREREQUISITES
(CH 220 or CH 221) and, (BIO 181 or ZO 160).
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and apply the fundamental principles toxicology to environmental problems.
2. Explain how and why toxicological processes and events occur in nature.
3. Evaluate the adverse effects of chemical contaminants to human health and the environment.
TEXTBOOK
Hodgson; A Textbook of Modern Toxicology; 3rd edition; 2004. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Hoboken, NJ $75
Delivery: (Web- based) Lectures are available weekly as Power Point presentations via the internet. The
class meets once a week for discussion and additional lecture material, such as case studies and
presentations of current research.
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COURSE ORGANIZATION AND SCOPE
Online Lectures
1. Introduction
2. Analytical Toxicology
3. Classes of Toxicants – Air, Water and Soil
4. Classes of Toxicants – Metals
5. Classes of Toxicants - Agricultural Chemicals
6. Classes of Toxicants – Toxins, drugs, food additives
7. Absorption and Distribution
8. Metabolism - Phase I
9. Metabolism - Phase II
10. Factors Affecting Metabolism – Chemical
11. Factors Affecting Metabolism – Physiological
12. Elimination
13. Acute Toxicity
14. Carcinogenesis
15. Mutagenesis
(Chapter 1)
(Chapter 3)
(Chapter 4)
(Chapter 5)
(Chapter 5)
(Chapter 5)
(Chapter 6)
(Chapter 7)
(Chapter 7)
(Chapter 9)
(Chapter 9)
(Chapter 10)
(Chapter 11)
(Chapter 12)
(Chapter 12)
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
(Chapter 13 &20)
(Chapter 14 &15)
(Chapter 16)
(Chapter 17)
(Chapter 18)
(Chapter 19)
(Chapter 21)
(Chapter 22)
(Chapter 23)
(Chapter 24)
(Chapter 26)
(Chapter 27)
(Chapter 28)
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
FIRST EXAMINATION
16. Reproductive Toxicity
17. Organ Toxicity – Liver and Kidney
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Organ Toxicity - Nervous System
Organ Toxicity – Endocrine System
Organ Toxicity - Respiratory System
Organ Toxicity - Immune System
Toxicity Testing
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prevention, Including Regulatory
Human Health Risk Assessment
Environmental Toxicology – Basic
Environmental Fate and Transport
Environmental Risk Assessment
FINAL EXAMINATION
Offline Class Meetings
Class will meet in person every Wednesday to cover the two previous online lectures and to examine case
studies as well as current research.
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SCHEDULE OF READING ASSIGNMENTS
Reading assignments will coincide with each lecture in the syllabus.
SCHEDULE OF HOMEWORK AND EXAMS
Quizzes will correspond with each lecture and will be available online using Webassign®. There will be
two exams that will each cover roughly ½ of the lecture material. The exams will be a take-home format.
Students enrolled in the graduate section will take a more rigorous exam.
GRADING
Student performance will be evaluated based on the quizzes and examinations as follows:
Quizzes
Project
Exam 1
Final
10%
20%
35%
35%
Because the exams are in a take-home format and students have ample time to complete the exam,
makeup exams will not be given.
Final letter grades will be determined as follows:
A+ = 970-1000
A = 915-969
A- = 895-914
B+ = 875-894
B = 815-874
B- = 795-814
C+ = 775-794
C = 715-774
C- = 695-714
D+ = 675-694
D = 615-674
D- = 595-614
F = <595
EXPLANATION OF DIFFERENCES IN REQUIREMENTS OF DUAL-LEVEL COURSES
Students enrolled in the 500-level section, in addition to the exams and quizzes, will have a project to
complete in which they will research a case study in toxicology and prepare a critical review paper to
present to the class. The undergraduate students do not do a project; their grade is just based on quizzes
(30%) and two exams (35% each). The grad students will have much less weight placed on the quizzes
(only 10% of grade), and that "left over" 20% will be on the semester project. Finally, they will receive a
different version of the take-home exam than the undergraduate students receive.
ATTENDANCE
Students are strongly encouraged to view all online content on a routine basis and attend all class
meetings, as much of the information is presented in power point, transparency, slide or video format and
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the lectures are designed to stimulate discussion and interaction among the students and instructor. For
the offline meetings, please make every effort to arrive on time to avoid disturbing your classmates with a
late arrival or early retreat. Students who miss an offline meeting, with or without a documented excuse,
are responsible for all material covered or distributed during the class. More information can be found at:
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are expected to be familiar with and honor the NCSU Code of Student Conduct. An honor
pledge will be placed on all examinations and some assignments for students to sign. While there will be
times when students will be encouraged to talk and participate in class discussions, students should
refrain from extraneous conversations with each other when the instructor or other students are presenting
information. More information can be found at:
http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/academic_regulations/integrity/reg.htm
ADVERSE WEATHER POLICY
The adverse weather policy for this course will conform to the stated policy of the university as stated in
section 31.01 of the student handbook.
http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/ncsulegal/31.01-adverse.htm
CREDIT ONLY/AUDIT
Students taking the course for credit only (S/U) must take all examinations, complete the homework
assignments, and score a total of at least 695 points (69.5%) to receive an "S".
DISABILITY STATEMENT
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take
advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services for Students at
1900 Student Health Center, Campus Box 7509, 515-7653. http://www.ncsu.edu/dss/
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