534-305 Toxicology

Note

Experiments involving animals are an essential part of this subject; exemption is not possible. Credit cannot be given for 534-305 and 534-307 prior to 1998.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

534-301 Principles of Pharmacology; exemption may be given at the discretion of the Head of the Department.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The teaching program will introduce students to the mechanisms by which drugs, chemicals and toxins cause cellular toxicity and how cellular toxicity can lead to effects on specific target organs. The lectures will cover the following topics: General mechanisms of toxicity; principles of toxicity testing; clinical testing of drugs; epidemiological studies; apoptosis and necrosis; free-radicals and cell damage; organ-specific toxicity (including cardiovascular system, lung, liver, kidney, nervous system, and reproductive system); the in vitro and in vivo toxic effects of commonly used and encountered drugs, chemicals and toxins. In the concomitant practical sessions, students will develop skills in a range of techniques used to examine the toxicity of drugs, chemicals and toxins, including in vitro assays, in vivo investigations using laboratory rodents (according to animal ethics guidelines), and computer-based modelling. Throughout the teaching program, the importance of rational and critical scientific analysis of toxicological issues will be stressed.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester written examination covering material presented in lectures and practicals; continuous assessment of practical reports.