A discussion of major environmental pollutants, their sources, interactions with atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic systems, exposure of people, animals and other biota, and their dose-response relationships. Some of the physical and chemical changes induced in the environment by pollutants, contaminant fate and transport, and bioremediation are also discussed.
Discusses natural and artificially produced radionuclides, units of radiation measurement, processes of radioactive decay and fission, interaction of radiation with matter, radiation effects on tissues and organisms, and transport and accumulation of radionuclides in the environment. Provides students with the knowledge to assess potential environmental impacts and health hazards arising from exposure to ionizing radiation from natural, uranium mining, and medical sources.
TOX 321.3
Registration Info — 2003-2004 Regular Session»Risk Assessment and Regulatory Toxicology 1/2(3L) Prerequisite(s): : 6 credit units in biology and 6 credit units in chemistry. VBMS 300.3 and TOX 301.3 recommended.
An introduction to human health and ecological risk assessment and an overview of Canadian and international regulatory requirements for the registration of new products, focussing on safety assessment/toxicity testing of pesticides, human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, and food additives.
An overview of the types of injury produced in specific vertebrate, especially mammalian, organ systems by toxic agents and how such injury alters their functions and the overall effect on the body.
An overview of the occurrence, mechanisms of action and clinical effects of commonly encountered plant toxins, mycotoxins, poisonous mushrooms, algal toxins, bacterial toxins, and zootoxins (poisonous snakes, fish, arthropods, and marine invertebrates), as well as an introduction to food toxicology.
An introduction to sources, routes of exposure, metabolism, mechanisms of action, clinical manifestations, and environmental effects of common toxic metals (e.g., Cd, Pb, Hg, U) and metalloids (e.g., As, Se). Emphasis will be placed on metal and mining issues of relevance to Canada, especially Canada’s North.
An introduction to major categories, sources, routes of exposure, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and toxic effects on people and ecosystems of common synthetic organic chemicals, including PAHs, PCBs, dioxins, solvents, pesticides, surfactants, plasticizers, and some commercial household products.
Provides students an opportunity to evaluate practical toxicology/ecotoxicology problems associated with Saskatchewan and northern ecosystems. Students will be presented with specific toxicological questions or case studies of current relevance which will be examined using research data and library facilities. Written and oral presentations will be required for each problem.
Assigned readings and tutorials will be provided by a team of faculty members. Students are required to examine, critique and discuss selected topics and publications in both oral and written format. Topics will vary from year to year, but will generally focus on current and controversial issues in toxicology, including industrial developmental and public opinion, toxicological impacts on northern ecosystems and people, and toxicology topics not currently covered in other undergraduate courses.
Students will work on a laboratory, field, library, or theoretical study under the supervision of a faculty member from the Toxicology Group. Each individual project requires approval of a research proposal by the Toxicology Academic Advisor in the term preceding registration before permission will be granted. A thorough, written report in thesis format describing the project and the summarized results submitted at the end of the project will be evaluated by a faculty committee.
Seminar presentations by visitors, faculty and students on a broad selection of toxicology issues. Fourth-year students in the Undergraduate Toxicology Program will be required to present one seminar and attend all seminars throughout the full academic year.
Special Topics
These courses are offered occasionally by visiting faculty and in other special situations to cover, in depth, toxicology topics that are not thoroughly covered in regularly offered courses. Students interested in this course should contact the Toxicology Academic Advisor for more information and approval prior to enrolment.
TOX 298.3
1/2(3S)
TOX 299.6
1&2(6S)
TOX 398.3
1/2(3S)
TOX 399.6
1&2(6S)
TOX 498.3
1/2(3S)
TOX 499.6
1&2(6S)
GRADUATE COURSES College of Graduate Studies & Research
TOX 810.3
Registration Info — 2003-2004 Regular Session»Radiation and Radionuclide Toxicology 1/2(3L) Prerequisite(s): Minimum of one university-level course in any four of physics, chemistry, microbiology, statistics, cell biology, or ecology.
Describes the basic properties of ionizing radiation, the interaction of radiation with matter, radiation detection, units and dosimetry. Discusses the natural radiation environment, radioactivity and its distribution and accumulation by chemical and biological processes. Presents the biological effects of radiation, particularly carcinogenesis, both at the epidemiological and molecular level.
TOX 860.3
Registration Info — 2003-2004 Regular Session»Applied Toxicology 1&2(1L-S/T) Prerequisite(s): VT P 836, 837, and/or permission of the instructor. Other courses in Toxicology are highly desirable.
Provides students an opportunity to evaluate practical problems associated with various aspects of toxicology. Students will be presented with specific toxicological questions or concerns which will be examined using research information and library facilities.