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180.632.81
Introduction to Molecular Toxicology

Location
Internet
Term
4th Term
Department
Environmental Health and Engineering
Credit(s)
3
Academic Year
2020 - 2021
Instruction Method
Asynchronous Online with Some Synchronous Online
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
Yes
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

A college level background in the biological sciences.
Introduction to On-line Learning (550.02.81)
Public Health Toxicology (online) (187.610.81) is suggested

Description
Introduces students to toxicology at a molecular level. Reviews the molecular mechanisms of diseases associated with environmental exposures and both genetic and epigenetic changes that are associated with disease pathogenesis. Introduces the cellular signaling pathways involved in protection from effects of chronic exposure to environmental toxicants including responses to stress and oxidative damage. Presents the most recent technological advances in the molecular tools available to study effects of environmental toxicants including next generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, gene editing models and emerging alternative animal models.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the biological consequences leading to disease pathogenesis in response to toxins in the environment
  2. Relate the genomic pathways by which environmental toxicants regulate gene expression and cell functions
  3. State the stress response to environmental toxicants
  4. Describe how DNA damage and repair contributes to carcinogenesis caused by environmental toxicants
  5. Compare various state-of-the-art techniques including gene editing models and high throughput profiling including genomics, epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics, and state their applications for toxicological studies and public health research
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 50% Quizzes
  • 30% Final Paper
  • 20% Discussion Board
Special Comments

This course is designed for students with minimal background in biology and toxicology.