The course is given online remotely and provides an overview of the research area environmental toxicology, with special emphasis on how foreign substances (xenobiotics) affect humans and other organisms, and how ecosystems are disturbed by chemical pollutants. The course comprises approximately 106 full-time study hours, corresponding to 4.0 ECTS credits.
The course deals with biochemical mechanisms for how organisms' physiological processes are disrupted by xenobiotics, and how these disturbances can have extensive and long-term harmful effects on gene activity, cell differentiation, reproduction, fetal development and behavior. Furthermore, the harmful effects of chemical pollutants on ecosystems are treated, with a focus on the Baltic Sea. Risk assessment and regulations are discussed in the course.
The course contains pre-recorded lectures with associated assignments that consist of written reflections and/or quizzes with multiple-choice questions. Lectures and assignments are preparatory for the course exam.
The course also provides in-depth knowledge of current environmental toxicological issues through a literature study that is compiled in a written report.