Module: Environmental Toxicology

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Environmental Toxicology
Module Code	BE436
School	School of Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Tom Zurawski Semester 2: Tom Zurawski Autumn: Tom Zurawski
Module Teachers	Paul Cahill Denise Harold Janosch Heller
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Repeat examination
Resit Cat 1. No end of year formal examination.

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide students with knowledge and understanding of (I) the impact of environmental toxins on human health through specific examples, (II) The biochemical, cellular and molecular methods that are used in screening and testing programmes, & (III) epidemiological tools used in environmental health.

Learning Outcomes

1. Appraise specific types of environmental toxins and relevance of biological methods for screening and testing.
2. Assess research data from descriptive, ecological, case-control and cohort studies on the environmental impact of toxicants on health.
3. Value epidemiology as a research tool for seeking answers to environmental questions.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Environmental Toxicology topics
Assignment Completion	12	Critically review the epidemiological evidence linking a particular toxin and disease
Independent Study	89	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Environmental Toxicants
Respiratory System and nanoparticles; Nervous system and neurotoxins; Endocrine system and xenoestrogens; Cardiovascular system toxicants

Screening and Testing
in vitro and in vivo bioassays, genotoxic tests

Epidemiological Environmental Toxicology
Types of studies and their uses (descriptive/ cross-sectional/ ecological/ correlational/ case-control/ cohort). Risk assessment and quantification of the effects of risk factors. Case studies into how differing epidemiological techniques have been used for determination of cause and effect and risk factors.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Participation	Attendance and contribution to sessions	10%	n/a
Presentation	Journal Club presentation	10%	n/a
Assignment	Epidemiology Assignment	35%	Week 9
Loop Exam	Written assignment on defined topics in Environmental Toxicology including research papers.	45%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

AFU	Age Friendly University Programme
EST	BSc in Environmental Science & Tech
SHSA	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAO	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SMPSC	Single Module Prof. Science and Health

Date of Last Revision

30-JAN-12

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