Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - BISC 313 D100

Environmental Toxicology: A Mechanistic Perspective (3)

Class Number: 2323

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 24, 2021
    Sat, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 101 and one of BISC 204, GEOG 215, or MBB 231; all with a grade of C- or better.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Students are introduced to general principles of toxicological action, testing, evaluation and assessment. The environmental fate and toxic mechanisms of action of several important classes of environmental pollutants in several organisms (including humans) will be examined at different levels of organization, from the molecular and biochemical to the function of organ systems and behavior.

COURSE DETAILS:

The course is given in four sections: Part I: Introduction to Toxicological Principles, Part II: Toxicological Testing, Part III: Specific Toxicants, and Part IV: Environmental Risk Assessment

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Describe the fate of foreign compounds in the environment and the general principles behind this fate.
  2. Be knowledgeable on the biological fate of contamintants in organisms and the principles and mechanisms behind chemical absorption, distribution, biotransformation and excretion.
  3. Explain some of the common biological mechanisms negatively impacted by environmental contaminants and give several examples of common environmental pollutants and their specific mechanisms of action.
  4. Recognize the variety of toxic impacts that environmental contaminants have on organisms and ecosystems.
  5. Evaluate data obtained from common toxicological tests; and
  6. Identify and discuss various issues related to toxicology, such as risk assessment.

Grading

  • Midterm 40%
  • Final Exam 60%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There is NO required textbook: material will be from lecture notes only, or supplied articles by the Instructor.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).