1. Summarize the nature of toxicants.

2. Explain the effects of environmental toxicants on human 
health.

3. Compare methods of environmental toxicants and detection of 
poisons.

4. Analyze treatment methods to ameliorate environmental 
toxicant exposure. 

5. Synthesize basic science concepts from anatomy, physiology, 
and biochemistry to facilitate the discussion of the principles 
and mechanisms of toxicant action on specific organs and systems.

6. Describe the principles of the dose response curve from data 
sets.

7. Critique chemical and microbial risk assessments 
(significance, reliability, and interpretation).

8. Interpret information from the four basic elements of risk 
assessment (hazard identification, exposure assessment, hazard 
characteristics, and risk characterization).

9. Model the three main steps of carcinogenesis.

In addition to the topics listed below, the course may include 
guest lectures from scientists and toxicologists who are 
experts in their respective fields.

• The theme of environmental changes and environmental health, 
natural occurrence and categories of environmental toxicants, 
fate and transport of toxicants in environment, and 
bioaccumulation of persistent environmental toxicants, as well 
as regulations and policies in controlling their environmental 
pollution or contamination.

• General Principles of Toxicology (absorption of toxicants; 
distribution and storage of toxicants; biotransformation of 
chemicals; excretion of toxic chemicals; factors modifying 
metabolism; mechanisms of toxic effects and conventional 
toxicity tests).

• Organ-Specific Toxicology (mutagenesis and carcinogenesis; 
liver toxicology and immunotoxicology; renal toxicology; 
neurotoxicology; dermatoxicology and toxicology of eye; 
inhalation toxicology; cardiovascular toxicology; reproductive 
toxicology; developmental toxicology).

• Assessment of Toxicity (overview of risk assessment and 
assignment of risk assessment projects; risk assessment-hazard 
evaluation, exposure assessment, risk assessment-toxicity 
assessment, risk characterization, environmental justice).

• Classes of Toxic Chemicals (dietary toxins and food additives 
and therapeutic drugs and drugs of abuse; volatile organic 
compounds and solvents; industrial toxicants; metals and 
radionucleotides; pesticides; toxicity of chemicals in water, 
air, and soil; ecotoxicology).

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."
Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before
performing any academic work.  Each student is expected to closely adhere to 
the University of Georgia honor code.