Molecular Toxicology

Code:

M.BIO030

Acronym:

TM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Molecular Bioengineering

Instance: 2025/2026 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Population Studies
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.BIO	24	Syllabus	1	-	6	39	162

Teaching language

Portuguese and english
Obs.: A UC erá lecionada em inglês no caso de haver esudantes estrangeiros

Objectives

- to acquire fundamental and applied competencies and skills in toxicology, ecotoxicology, environment and Health (One Health)

 - to develop the ability for research, selection and synthesis of scientific and technical information

- to develop the autonomy, ability to work in a team, integration of knowledge from different areas to address and solve applied problems

- to develop the competencies and skills for scientific communication (oral and written).

Learning outcomes and competences

 

- to acquire fundamental and applied competencies and skills in toxicology, ecotoxicology, environment and Health (One Health)

 - to develop the ability for research, selection and synthesis of scientific and technical information

- to develop the autonomy, ability to work in a team, integration of knowledge from different areas to address and solve applied problems

- to develop the competencies and skills for scientific communication (oral and written).

Working method

Presencial

Program

 

 Environment and Health. ‘One Health’.

Toxicology and ecotoxicology: objectives and fundamental concepts. Molecular toxicology.

Kinetics of xenobiotics in the organism and factors influencing the processes.  

Fate of xenobiotics and natural toxins in the environment: sources and pathways, degradation; interactions with biotic and abiotic ecosystem components; ecosystem alterations, Health and services.

Mechanisms of toxicity: from the molecule to the ecosystem.

XXI century Toxicology and Ecotoxicology: new models, methods and technologies to toxicity assessment; biomarkers; system toxicology; toxicogenomics and toxicoproteomics; new molecules, 

new materials and challenges to toxicology and ecotoxicology; mixture toxicity; combined effects of stressors (e.g., global warming)

Risk assessment and management.

 

Mandatory literature

Klaassen Curtis D. ed.; Casarett and Doull.s toxicology. ISBN: 0-07-105476-6
Walker C. H. 070; Principles of ecotoxicology. ISBN: 0-8493-3635-X
Timbrell John; Principles of biochemical toxicology. ISBN: 0-748-40736-7
Timbrell John; Introduction to toxicology. ISBN: 0-415-24762-4

Comments from the literature

several websites and scientific papers

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical and theoretical-practical interactive lessons, involving the participation and contribution of students, that include the analysis and discussion of case studies (e.g., problem, approach, solutions), and pedagogic ‘games’. They are complemented with autonomous work to be developed by the students out of classes, with presentation and discussion during the class-time. Team works, especially the seminar component, develop students’ autonomy, stimulate the critical analysis, and develop the communication stills, as well as the other competences previously indicated.

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Ecotoxicology
Health sciences > Pharmacological sciences > Toicology
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology > Environmental risks
Natural sciences > Environmental science > Ecology

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	15,00
Exame	75,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	8,00
Estudo autónomo	112,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

A. Minimum of 7,5 out of 15 in the final exam.
B. minimum of 1.0 out of 2.0 in the evaluation of the activities carried out in classes complemented with authonomous work.
C. Minimum of 1.5 out of 3.0 in the seminary component.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final mark (FM) is the sum of the partial records obtained in the following items (to a total of 20 points):

A. Final exam: up to 15.0 with a compulsory minimum of 7.5 points.

B. Participation in the activities carried out along the semester complemen: up to 2.0 points.

C. Seminary component (autonomous group work with platform and poster presentation at the end of the semester): up to 3.0 points.

FM = A + B + C

Examinations or Special Assignments

team work about a topic in the scope of the curricular unit

Classification improvement

exam.

Observations

If not possible to make the exam at ICBAS facilities, the evaluation will be done through the continuous evaluation and the seminar component.
The improvement of the mark obtained in the first period of evaluation can be made through the improvement of seminar work.