Environmental Toxicology
Course number: CZMT-0650-DE1
The course examines the fate of chemicals and their biological effects on marine organisms. We will discuss environmental
toxicology and the general mechanisms of transport and transformation of chemicals in water/sediment systems and within
marine organisms.
| Course Title: |
CZMT-0650-DE1 Environmental Toxicology |
| Course Dates: | September 24, 2007 to December 14, 2007 |
| Instructor: | Donald S. McCorquodale Jr., PhD |
| Email: |
For general enquiries: "Environmental Toxicology" <de-envtox_1 barney mail fred ocean fred nova fred edu> In-course students: please use the WebCT course e-mail Inbox. |
| Course Materials: | Text - Introduction to Environmental Toxicology: Impacts of Chemicals Upon Ecological Systems, Third Edition, Wayne G. Landis and Ming-Ho Yu.; suggested resources, article citations and websites provided with each unit. |
| Course Goals: | The course examines the fate of chemicals and their biological effects on marine organisms. We will discuss environmental toxicology and the general mechanisms of transportand transformation of chemicals in water/sediment systems and within marine organisms. |
| Prerequisites: | Students should have some familiarity with general chemistry and biology. |
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will have a clear understanding of:
Course Schedule:
| Unit 1 | Framework Environmental Toxicology |
| Unit 2 | Basic Toxicology |
| Unit 3 | Routes of Exposure and Modes of Action |
| Unit 4 | Factors Modifying Activity of Toxicants |
| Unit 5 | Biological, Metal and Organic Toxins |
| Unit 6 | Midterm Examination |
| Unit 7 | Biotransformation, Detox, Biodegradation |
| Unit 8 | Introduction to Toxicity Testing |
| Unit 9 | Toxicity Test Methods |
| Unit 10 | Response of Ecological Systems to Toxicants |
| Unit 11 | Final Examination |
Course Evaluation
Final Grade Breakdown:
| Midterm | 20% |
| On-line Discussion | 30% |
| Final Exam | 50% |
The mid-term examination will be multiple-choice format, and will be accessible directly from the course WebCT site during the sixth class week. The final examination will also be accessed directly from the course WebCT site during the final week of term. It will be essay format.
A discussion question will be provided at the start of each unit. Additional student-generated discussion related to the topic is encouraged. There are ten discussion units with possible individual score of 0 to 3, total of 30 maximum points. Postings after the week specific to that discussion will not be assessed.
Online Discussion Evaluation Criteria
| Points | Frequency of Participation | Discussion & Feedback | Readings |
| 3 | Participates in discussion at least three times a week. | Excellent and thoughtful answers to the discussion exercises and questions; offers original analysis and comment; uses assigned readings text, as well as web-links to back up arguments. The student offers valuable feedback to help classmates better understand an issue. | Comments clearly demonstrate that the student has done the required readings, and that the student comprehends the course material and its significance. |
| 2 | Participates at least two times a week in lengthy discussions. | Good and thoughtful comments to the discussion exercises. Takes a solid interest in the comments and questions of fellow classmates. | Has done the majority of the readings. Provides competent summaries and analysis of the main issues in answers. |
| 1 | Sporadically participates. | Not good. Comments to the discussion exercises marred by misunderstanding of key concepts. Rarely offers any comments on the course readings. | Actual knowledge of material is outweighed by improvised comments and remarks. |
| 0 | Rarely participates. | Poor. Rarely answers the discussion exercises on the web. | Little familiarity with the readings. |