Biology 330/530- - Principles of Toxicology

Department of Biology
Three credit hours
Prerequisites: 2 semesters of biology, 2 semesters of chemistry, or permission of instructor
Dr. Stine
kstine@ashland.edu

Course description: This course will cover the basic principles of toxicology, focusing on the biochemical, physiological, and ecological effects of toxicants. Also, the uses of toxicology in various biomedical and environmental fields will be examined.

Course objectives: To present students with the concepts and practical applications of the science of toxicology.

Content of course: See attached schedule

Instructional approach: Three lecture hours per week  Almost all test material will come from your class notes, and we will regularly discuss topics which are not covered in your textbooks. Therefore, although roll will not be taken each day, regular class attendance is expected and will be to your benefit. Do not rely on "getting the notes from someone" on a regular basis- - it will make things much more difficult for you in the long run.

Evaluative criteria: There will be four lecture tests during the semester, each worth 100 points. There will be a 200 point cumulative final which is scheduled for during final exams.

Tests are an important part of this course and it is your responsibility to be in class on test days. If you are ill or have another valid excuse, you must notify me prior to the scheduled test to arrange how it will be made up. Otherwise you will receive a zero for that test. Make- up tests will generally be either an essay type or oral exam. Students who wish to receive graduate credit for this course must in addition complete a paper or project worth 100 points.

Grades will be figured on the basis of total points:

• 95- 100% = A, 90- 94% = A-
• 87- 89% = B+, 83- 86% = B, 80- 82% = B-
• 77- 79% = C+, 73- 76% = C, 70- 72% = C-
• 67- 69% = D+, 63- 66% = D, 60- 62% = D-
• 59% and below = F.

So for a total of 600 points, 540 and up will be in the A range, 480- 539 will be in the B range, 420- 479 will be in the C range, 360- 419 will be in the D range, and 359 or fewer points corresponds to an F. Don't get too worried about counting points, though. Just work hard and do your best and the points will take care of themselves.

Resource materials: Two textbooks are typically required: Principles of Toxicology by Stine and Brown, The Island of the Colorblind/Cycad Island by Oliver Sacks, and Silent Spring by Carson. There is one optional reference, Casarett and Doull's Toxicology, by Klaassen et. al., Fifth edition, and particularly for those of you going into Toxicology, Environmental Science or related fields, it would be a worthwhile addition to your personal library.

If you have problems or questions, I encourage you to come by my office during office hours, or call to make an appointment for other times. During office hours I will be either in my office OR somewhere nearby (in the labs upstairs, for example). I usually try to leave a note on my door when I have to step out for longer than just a moment, so if there's no note I'll probably be back within a few minutes. You can wait briefly, or leave a message with the secretary in the main office and I will get back with you as soon as possible. Likewise, if you call during office hours and I'm not there to answer my phone, it will ring in the main office. They can either track me down or take a message. Also meetings and other conflicts occasionally require me to change or cancel office hours. I will do my best to notify you in advance, if possible, or at least to have a note posted explaining the circumstances.

Office: 207 Kettering
Office hours: see my home page for current office hours

Typical Schedule

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