C9605 - ECOTOXICOLOGY

Learning outcomes

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of hazard assessment with a focus on ecotoxicology. This course unit integrates principles of toxicological assessment, toxicology and ecotoxicology fundamentals, and endocrine disruptors, equipping students to assess environmental and health impacts of chemical exposures. The student is expected to be able to: 1. Understand toxicity mechanisms, dose-response relationships, and risk assessment protocols for diverse chemical exposures, considering systemic, tissue-specific, and inter-species variability; 2. Apply principles of toxicology and ecotoxicology to evaluate the effects of chemicals on organisms and ecosystems, including regulatory perspectives for establishing safe exposure levels; 3. Assess the impacts of endocrine disruptors on environmental and human health, exploring mechanisms of action and critical exposure pathways.

Course contents

Principles of Toxicology and Ecotoxicology

Introduction to toxicology and ecotoxicology. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of toxicity. Chemicals and human health. Environmental fate of pollutants.

Toxicological Assessment

The module will introduce students to the toxicological role of interaction between chemicals and DNA and to the methods used for their study . The topics covered include:

1. Risk Assessment and Toxicological Evaluation Risk Assessment Framework: Hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment, risk characterization.
2. Types of Risk: Acute vs. chronic, carcinogenic, reproductive, developmental, and immunotoxic risks.
3. Methods for Toxicological Testing
4. Regulatory Toxicology: How regulatory agencies (e.g., EPA, FDA, ECHA) evaluate toxicological risks.
5. Toxicological Data Interpretation and Reporting

Endocrine Disruptors

Introduction to Endocrine Disruption. Mechanisms of Action of Endocrine Disruptors. Endocrine Disruption and Human Health. Environmental Impact of Endocrine Disruptors. Emerging Issues in Endocrine Disruption.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecturer notes and slides

Teaching methods

The course unit is divided into three modules taught independently at different times in the academic year, each module is organized in theoretical classes where main concepts are introduced, as well as tutorial classes with discussion of case-study examples.

Assessment methods

Each module learning is evaluated independently, exploiting: i) written tests; ii) oral presentations or interviews; iii) written assignments or combinations of them. The Course Unit grade will be the arithmetic mean of grades from the three modules. ChIRS grades scale goes from 1 to 100, pass grade is
40, and will be translated into ECTS and different University scales. Criteria: knowledge on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and analytical ability that emerges only with the help of the instructor, using generally correct language → 40-45;
Knowledge on a limited number of topics covered in the course and independent analytical ability only on purely executive
issues, using correct language → 45-60;
Knowledge on a large number of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis choices, mastery
of specific terminology → 60-80;
Essentially comprehensive knowledge on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent critical analysis and
connection choices, full mastery of specific terminology, and ability for argumentation and self-reflection → 80-100.

Module III: Typically evaluation will involve homework assignments, participation in class, and/or a written assignment on a relevant topic or original paper in the field.

Teaching tools

Lectures slides and notes will be available on the course moodle https://emmcchir-learning.ualg.pt

Office hours

See the website of Vera Linda Ribeiro Marques

See the website of Cristina Pubill Ulldemolins

See the website of