Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Toxicology
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Questions will be resolved before or after class, during video conference sessions or by appointment.
The subject professors abistue@uic.es (coordinator) or agargallo@uic.es, can be contacted by email.
Introduction
Toxicological insults affect our everyday life. Secondhand smoke, pesticides, sewage in drinking water, toxic substances potentially present in food and phytotoxins are just some of the health threats to which humans are exposed.
Throughout the centuries, toxicologists have engaged with other scientific and cultural disciplines to provide information that has shaped and guided society. Historically known as “the science of poisons”, toxicology has now evolved to be a discipline in its own right. Modern toxicological science has built up a dedicated conceptual framework, while drawing upon advances in biology, chemistry, medicine and pharmacology.
Pre-course requirements
No prerequisite course required; however, knowledge of the concepts of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, genetics and anatomy from the previous modules is recommended.
Objectives
- Familiarize students with contemporary principles of toxicology, including toxicological risks, their sources, and their clinical and nutritional relevance.
- Provide an overview of basic toxicology and ecotoxicology, including how organisms absorb, distribute, biotransform, and excrete toxic substances, how these substances interact with biomolecules, and the subsequent consequences for the organism.
- Guide students in the application of experimental and analytical methods for assessing the toxicity of substances, applying dose-response relationships and other quantitative parameters.
- Teach students to correctly diagnose poisonings from various sources and provide them with the necessary knowledge to apply appropriate treatments, including the use of antidotes and other therapeutic approaches in clinical or emergency situations.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN08 - Explain the foundations of human behaviour and the biological bases that regulate them.
- CN09 - Recognise the effects, mechanisms and manifestations of a disease on the structure and function of the human body at a molecular, cellular and tissue level.
- CN10 - Indicate the mechanisms through which toxins affect the health of human beings at a biochemical, molecular and cellular level.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB04 - Interpret the mechanisms that govern a pathological state and its implications at a clinical and diagnostic level.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of the course, students must:
- Identify the basic concepts of toxicology, understand its importance in human health and the environment, and recognize common toxic substances, such as industrial pollutants, pesticides, and natural toxins found in plants, animals, and fungi.
- Relate the nature and mechanisms of action of chemical substances to their effects and manifestations in humans.
- Explain the sources, levels, and mechanisms of action of toxic substances, including exposure, absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion.
- Describe the different phases of toxicity, including toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, and understand how exposure to toxic substances translates into biological effects, considering environmental impact and metabolic processes involved.
- Analyze the effects of toxic substances at the molecular and cellular levels, on individual health, and on natural populations and communities, including the use of biomarkers.
- Use different assessment methods, both experimental and analytical, to determine substance toxicity and apply principles of quantitative toxicology, such as the dose-response relationship, in toxicological risk assessment.
- Analyze and interpret complex datasets in toxicological research, as well as formulate hypotheses, collect, and critically evaluate toxicological data.
- Identify and diagnose poisoning cases, differentiate between various types of toxins, and apply treatment strategies, including the use of antidotes, to mitigate the adverse effects of poisoning in clinical situations.
- Assess the risks associated with toxic substances in food and understand the role of food toxicology in public health protection, applying toxicity assessment principles in the context of food safety and contaminant control.
Syllabus
Introduction to toxicology, basic principles of toxicology
2. Toxic substances
Industrial pollutants
Pesticides
Toxins present in plants, animals and fungi
3. Phases of toxicity: from exposure to effects
Environmental toxicology
Toxicokinetics
Toxicodynamics
4. Toxicity assessment
Analytical toxicology
Experimental toxicology, methods to determine toxicity
Toxicological risk assessment. Quantitative toxicology. Dose-Response
Food toxicology
5. Medical toxicology
Diagnostics
Treatment of intoxications
Antidotes
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Fully in-person modality in the classroom
1. Lectures – 20 hours: Presentation of a theoretical topic by the instructor.
2. Case Method (CM) – 10 hours: Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students work on the proposed questions in small groups or through active interaction with the instructor, and the responses are discussed. The instructor actively participates and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge.
3. Virtual Education (VE): Online material that students can access from any computer at any time, facilitating self-learning of concepts related to the subject.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First sitting:
Partial exam: 20%
Final exam: 60%
Case methods 20%
Second sitting and following ones: the mark will be saved. However, if they wish, students will be able to repeat their attendance for the different methodologies and obtain a new mark.
To be able to obtain your average, you must obtain a minimum grade of 5 in the final exam.
Attendance at case methods is mandatory. Non-attendance for not justified reasons will substract 0.25 points from the final grade of the subject.
The exams will be multiple choice with 4 answer options, calculating +1 for correct answers and -0.33 for wrong answers.
Bibliography and resources
Material presented and provided in class.