PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOXICOLOGY

MESM 213

Spring, 2013

Course Description: Ecotoxicology will examine the biochemistry and biology of the responses of organisms in ecosystems to the presence of substances in the environment that can cause adverse effects upon the organisms. The course will also present case studies from recent literature.

Course Topic Outline:

1.  Introduction to Toxicology, Course Organization and Literature Resources

2.  Major Contaminant Classes/Sources of Toxicants

3.  Absorption and Distribution of Toxicants/Excretion of Toxicants and Metabolites

4.  Pollutant Chemodynamics/ Bioavailability and Bioaccumulation

5.  Modes of Action/ Biomarkers of Toxicant Effects

6.  Metabolisms of toxicants /Modification of Metabolism and Toxicokinetic Processes

7.  Measurement of Toxicity/Bioassays/Measurement of Toxicants

8.  Solvents/Risk Assessment

9.  Metals

10.  Carcinogenesis and Genetic Toxicology

11.  Research Ethics in Toxicology

12.  Natural Toxins

Required TEXT: Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, 3rd Edition

Michael C. Newman

Reading Assignments

Week 1

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Chapter 1, Appendices 3-6

Week 2

/

Chapter 2

Week 3

/

Chapter 3, 4

Week 4

/

Chapter 5, 6

Week 5

/

Chapter 7

Week 6

/

Chapter 8

Week 7

/

Chapter 9

Week 8

/

Chapter 10

Week 9

/

Chapter 11

Week 10

/

Chapter 12, 13

Week 11

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SUPPLIMENTARY READINGS: The instructor may assign supplementary readings in other texts or reference materials while covering a given topic or to address case studies.

The instructor may change the order and emphasis of the above listed topics to accommodate the background and interests of the class. The time spent on each topic may vary.

COURSE EVALUATION:

MIDTERM EXAM 300 pts

A midterm exam will be given in early May, the exam, which will consist of short answers, definitions, problem sets and short essays, will cover all lecture material and text assignments up to a point defined by the instructor.

TERM PROJECT 400 pts

Students will work in small groups to prepare a toxicological profile of a selected chemical from literature materials supplied by the instructor, other resources found in the library and/or on the Internet. A detailed outline of the term project is provided on a separate page. The term project consists of a written component and an oral presentation component. Materials presented in these term projects will be considered as part of the lecture content of the course.

FINAL EXAM 300 pts

A final examination (50% take-home and 50% in-class exam) will be administered during the time listed in the booklet. The exam will emphasize material covered since the mid-term but will be comprehensive in terms of important definitions and concepts presented in the first part of the course.

TOTAL 1000 pts

Special problems and discussion sessions will be offered weekly

Final grades will be assigned as follows:

Final letter grade Final Percentage

A 90%

B 80-89%

C 70-79%

D 55-69%

E <55%

Instructor Information:

Dr. Jay C. Means, Ph.D. DABT [07-12], ATS

Professor of Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry, Bren School

Office: 3408 Bren Hall

Phone: 269-744-1145

E-mail:

Office Hours: 12-2pm T Th, or e-mail for an appt.