Code: | MA315 | Acronym: | TA |
Keywords | |
---|---|
Classification | Keyword |
OFICIAL | Environmental Sciences and Ecology |
Active? | Yes |
Responsible unit: | Microscopy |
Course/CS Responsible: | Aquatic Sciences |
Acronym | No. of Students | Study Plan | Curricular Years | Credits UCN | Credits ECTS | Contact hours | Total Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LCMA | 21 | Plan 2012 to 2017 | 3 | - | 5 | 49 | 135 |
The primary goal of the course is to present students with the basic principles of environmental toxicology, focusing on toxicological assessments, types and mechanisms of toxicological response, and the properties and effects of specific groups of toxicants that have been released into the environment (e.g. PAH, PCB, pesticides, metals, dioxins/dibenzofurans, natural and synthetic estrogens, pharmaceutical products). It is expected that students will became able to evaluate risk situations, propose solutions for its prevention and have the ability to use analytic tools to evaluate environmental toxicity.
At the end of this course the student is expected to acquire the following skills:
- Have knowledge of different concepts of toxicity.
- Being able to predict the mechanisms of biotransformation of different toxic compounds.
- Understand how to plan and execute experimental tests of toxicity.
- Able to evaluate the toxic effect of chemicals and be able to implement appropriate toxicity tests.
- Know how to use the techniques and basic methods for toxicological research (laboratory diagnosis of environmental toxicants).
- Have developed critical reasoning in order to properly evaluate the data obtained from toxicity tests both in measurements and in direct toxic in the environment.
The course will cover the basic principles of environmental toxicology, focusing on evaluation of environmental toxicants, types and mechanisms of response to toxic properties and effects that specific groups of pollutants in the environment have on the health of various habitats, particularly water (eg PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, metals, dioxins / dibenzofurans, natural and synthetic estrogens, pharmaceuticals).
This unit also will focus on the interdisciplinary nature of environmental toxicology. Toxic responses and measurement of these responses will be discussed at the level of biological organization, from molecular / biochemical, cell and animal until its impact on populations, communities and ecosystems. Part biochemical give particular emphasis to the toxic absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. A brief instrumental component will enable the student to understand the main analytical methods used in field analysis.
The course will also focus on some topics that have received particular attention from environmental toxicologists, including the use and development of biomarkers.
The responsible for the classes provide additional bibliographic information, where appropriate.
Exhibition, demonstration, discussion of problems and experimental.
Designation | Weight (%) |
---|---|
Exame | 60,00 |
Participação presencial | 5,00 |
Trabalho escrito | 20,00 |
Trabalho laboratorial | 15,00 |
Total: | 100,00 |
Presence to three quarters of classes taught and realization of special works.
The evaluation will be conducted during class (40%) and a final exam (60%). In both components students must achieve a minimum of 10/20 values.
Presentation of a seminar in the framework of the course (group work).
Student workers (TE), association leaders (DA) and other students with special status will be evaluated similarly to regular students. However, in cases where the law exempts failure by faults in the classes that will be evaluated (the DC component) are those in which the student will attend.
The grade improvement will only be possible for the component measured in the final exam.