Module: Environmental Toxicology

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Environmental Toxicology
Module Code	BE436 (ITS) / BIO1014 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	Tomas Zurawski
Module Teachers	Denise Harold, Janosch Heller, Paul Cahill
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

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

Description

This module introduces students to concepts associated with the chemical and biological characteristics of major environmental pollutants and their impacts on the health of living organisms, including humans.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the basic terminology and concepts pertinent to Environmental Toxicology.
2. Identify and characterise major environmental toxicants, their sources, modes of action and effects on the environment and human health.
3. Analyse and interpret toxicological data; apply the interpretations to select suitable toxicity test methods and test organisms.
4. Determine the effects and impacts of toxicants at various levels of biological organisation, consider their relevance to ecosystems, and use an evidence-based approach to assess ecological risks.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Environmental Toxicology topics.
Group work	30	Class presentation on an assigned topic.
Independent Study	71	Required engagement with suggested study resources not covered during the lectures. Preparation for the examinations.
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

Introduction to Environmental Toxicology
It’s history, fundamental terminology, frameworks and paradigms.

Toxicity and its testing
Terminology, dose-response curve, types of toxicity tests, commonly used methods, and test organisms.

Transport and fate of toxicants in the environment
Transport mechanisms, persistence, degradation/transformation, bioconcentration vs biomagnification, bioavailability.

Toxicant uptake and modes of action
Exposure, uptake, storage and specific mechanisms of action for main pollutants.

Factors modifying the activity of toxicants
Physicochemical properties, time and mode of exposure, environmental factors, interaction of toxicants, and biological factors affecting toxicity.

Biotransformation, detoxification and biodegradation
Metabolism, enzymatic detoxification and microbial degradation of environmental toxicants.

Ecological risk assessment and regulation
Diagnostic risk assessment approaches and tools, risk characterisation and basic methods for calculating ecological risk, regulatory frameworks, risk management and communication.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Loop Quiz	Four in-class tests, each consisting of multiple-choice questions, will be used to assess the acquired level of knowledge of terminology, basic concepts and data interpretation on the topics covered.	20%	n/a
Group presentation	Students are to collaborate in groups of two to prepare a 15-minute presentation on an assigned topic, followed by a 10-minute Q&A with the audience, moderated by the module coordinator.	20%	n/a
Written Exam	An in-class written exam on all information included in lectures, required reading material and case studies/research articles. Questions are divided into two categories to assess: (1) knowledge and comprehension (explaining major concepts, methods, and theories) and (2) critical reasoning (interpreting information and solving problems using analysis, synthesis, and evaluation).	60%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None