PUB HLTH 7111 - Industrial Toxicology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

This course reviews concepts in chemical toxicology which constitute a rational basis for the setting of chemical exposure standards. It includes an overview of the principles of toxicology; biological processes such as toxicant absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; the use of toxicity tests and other data to characterise a chemical's toxic effects with specific emphasis on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity; and the problem of estimating risk.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PUB HLTH 7111
    Course Industrial Toxicology
    Coordinating Unit Public Health
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 1 week full time intensive
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description This course reviews concepts in chemical toxicology which constitute a rational basis for the setting of chemical exposure standards. It includes an overview of the principles of toxicology; biological processes such as toxicant absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion; the use of toxicity tests and other data to characterise a chemical's toxic effects with specific emphasis on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity; and the problem of estimating risk.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Paul Rothmore

    Course Coordinator: Mr Paul Rothmore
    Phone: +61 8313 3568
    Email: paul.rothmore@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace

    Learning & Teaching Team
    Phone: +61 8313 4637
    Email: postgrad_enq@adelaide.edu.au
    Location: Level 7, 178 North Terrace
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe toxicology as a discipline in the overall health sciences framework.
    2 Explain the basic concepts of chemical hazard and exposure as determinants of chemical toxicity. Describe key pathways and  mechanisms of chemical absorption, distribution, metabolism, storage and excretion in the human body.
    3 Explain dose-response relationships as the basis of toxicity.
    4 Outline the derivation of Reference Dose (RfD) and other related measures of occupational exposure.
    5 Describe the scientific basis of occupational exposure assessments and practical methods for their determination.
    6 Critically interpret Chemical Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and discuss issues of relevance to the workplace setting.
    7 Gather and critically interpret toxicological information from diverse resources for human health hazard and risk assessment.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    6, 7
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1-5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    N/A
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    N/A
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6, 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no specific required textbook for this course. Notes and additional readings will be made available.

    The following reference will be useful.

    Department of Health and Aging, enHealth Council (2012) Environmental Health Risk Assessment – Guidelines for Assessing Human  Health Risks from Environmental Hazards (Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra)

    It is recommended that students download for this document directly from:

    http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/A12B57E41EC9F326CA257BF0001F9E7D/$File/DoHA-EHRA-120910.pdf
    Recommended Resources
    See MyUni
    Online Learning
    Pre-reading will be made available online. Formative quizzes will be prescribed from existing (freely available) internet sources, e.g. US National Library of Medicine (http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro/toxtutor.html)
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course revolves around a series of workshops and seminars, involving critical reflection and discussion. Toxicological concepts will be contextualised via case studies and expert panel discussions.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 week full time intensive.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Introduction to Toxicology (Q/A, critiques, group exercises)
    Introduction and Basic Principles
    Exposure & Toxicokinetics
    Factors influencing occupational exposures.
    Toxicity & toxicogenomics
    Methods & Techniques (exposure, biomonitoring)
    Reference Dose

    Chemical Groupings and workplace scenarios (critiques, group exercises)
    Toxicology of prominent chemical groupings (solvents, metals etc.)
    Chemical exposure standards

    Information available in the workplace (critiques, group exercises, expert panel)
    Safety data sheets – critical examination
    Other resources
    Expert panel discussion

    Topical issues and emerging issues (seminar and class discussions)
    Selected chemicals and exposure scenarios
    Stakeholder communication, legal issues
    Specific Course Requirements
    None.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    N/A
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Assessment Type Weighting Learning course objective(s) being addressed
    Class Participation Summative 10% 1-7
    Assignment Summative 40% 6, 7
    Exam Summative 50% 1-5
    Assessment Related Requirements
    None.
    Assessment Detail
    Student participation: Marks will be based on the contribution of each student to class discussions and individual/group exercises

    Written examination: This will be approximately 1.5 hr duration, held at the end of the intensive face to face component. Questions  will be 50% multiple choice style and 50% written, short essay-type, answer.

    Major assignment: 2500 words, based on a chemical used in Australian industry. The assignment will address exposure scenario,  potential health effects, risk management with recommendations based on critical review of the literature.
    Submission
    Extensions
    All extensions for assignments must be requested, at the latest, by the last working day before the due date of submission.   Extensions will generally be granted only on medical or genuine compassionate grounds.  Supporting documentation must be  provided at the time a student requests an extension.  Without documentation, extensions will not be granted.  Late requests for  extension will neither be accepted nor acknowledged.

    Only the Course Co-ordinator(s) may grant extensions.

    Supporting documentation will be required when requesting an extension. Examples of documents that are acceptable include: a  medical certificate that specifies dates of incapacity, a police report (in the case of lost computers, car & household theft etc.), a  letter from a Student Counsellor, Education and Welfare Officer (EWO) or Disability Liaison Officer that provides an assessment of  compassionate circumstances, or a letter from an independent external counsellor or appropriate professional able to verify the  student’s situation.  The length of any extension granted will take into account the period and severity of any incapacity or impact  on the student.  Extensions of more than 10 days will not be granted except in exceptional circumstances.

    Late submission
    Marks will be deducted when assignments for which no extension has been granted are handed in late.

    All assignments, including those handed in late, will be assessed on their merits.  In the case of late assignments where no  extension has been granted, 5 percentage points of the total marks possible per day will be deducted.  If an assignment that is 2  days late is awarded 65% on its merits, the mark will then be reduced by 10% (5% per day for 2 days) to 55%.  If that same  assignment is 4 days late, the mark will be reduced by 20% (5% per day for 4 days) to 45%, and so on.

    The School of Public Health reserves the right to refuse to accept an assignment that is more than 7 days late.

    Assignments submitted after the due date may not be graded in time to be returned on the listed return dates.

    Students submitting examinable written work who request (and receive) an extension that takes them beyond the examination  period are advised that there is no guarantee that their grades will be processed in time to meet usual University deadlines.
     
    Resubmission
    If a student is dissatisfied with an assessment grade they should follow the Student Grievance Resolution Process  <https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/grievance/process/>.  Students who are not satisfied with a particular assessment result should raise their concerns with Course Co-ordinator(s) in the first instance.  This must be done within 10 business days of the  date of notification of the result.  Resubmission of any assignment is subject to the agreement of the Course Co-ordinator(s) and  will only be permitted for the most compelling of reasons.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.