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Unit of study_

PCOL3911: Toxicology (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will consist of the lecture and practical components of PCOL3011. Students will be set special advanced assignments and additional practical data management activities related to the material covered in lectures and practical work. These may also involve advanced practical work or detailed investigation of a theoretical problem.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PCOL3911
Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
PCOL3011
Prerequisites
? 
a mark of 70 or above in [(PCOL2011 or PCOL2021 or MEDS2002) or (BMED2401 and BMED2405)]
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Slade Matthews, slade.matthews@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Tutorial presentation
Oral presentation
8% - 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3
Final exam Final examination (online)
Online MCQ and written elements
60% Mid-semester exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Tutorial quiz Quizzes
Invigilated online MCQ examination
10% Multiple weeks 2 x 15min quizzes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO9
Participation Tutorial participiation
Participation
2% Ongoing n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment group assignment LD50 report
Report
20% Week 11 To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas;
demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding
level.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of superior standard: Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows
advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes
achieved to a superior level.

Credit

65 - 74

Competent work demonstrating potential for higher study: Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement;
occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria
addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level.

Pass

50 - 64

Work of acceptable standard: Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical
science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level.

Fail

0 - 49

Work not of acceptable standard: Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental
misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit.


For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Lecture 1. Introduction to toxicology; Lecture 2. Epidemiology in toxicology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO9
Tutorial 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO11
Week 02 Lecture 1. Disposition of toxicants; Lecture 2. Cause and effect Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO9 LO10
Week 03 Lecture 1. Mortality and morbidity statistics; Lecture 2. Analysing dose-response data (LD50) Lecture (2 hr) LO8 LO9 LO11 LO12
Tutorial 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO11
Week 04 Lecture 1. Pesticide toxicology; Lecture 2. Adverse drug reactions and interactions Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
LD50 insecticides cockroaches Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO8 LO11 LO12
Week 05 Lecture 1. Pharmacogenomics; Lecture 2. Thresholds and risks Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Tutorial 3 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO11
Week 06 Lecture 1. Analysing population data; Lecture 2. Non clinical toxicology - drug safety Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO9
Week 07 Lecture 1. Clinical toxicology; Lecture 2. Nano particles Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Tutorial 4 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO11 LO12
Week 08 Lecture 1. Lung toxicology; Lecture 2. Renal toxicology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Forensic and clinical toxicology Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO11
Week 09 Lecture 1. Liver toxicology; Lecture 2. Cone snail toxins Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7
Tutorial 5 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO11 LO12
Week 10 Lecture 1. Snake and spider toxins; Lecture 2. Neurotoxicology 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Lecture 1. Neurotoxicology 2; Lecture 2. Carcinogenesis Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Tutorial 6 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11
Week 12 Lecture 1. Cytotoxic drugs; Lecture 2. Toxicity of molecular targeted drugs Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 13 Lecture 1. Plant toxicology; Lecture 2. Review of course learning objectives Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Attendance at practical classes and tutorials is compulsory for successful completion of the course, and will be recorded. A student who fails to show sufficient cause for absence from any part of the course may not be allowed to sit the final examination. You must be responsible for your own time management and non-attendance outside of practicals or tutorials must be supported by an approved Special Consideration application. Further, in the instance of an unavoidable absence in a tutorial or practical class, it is common courtesy to let the head
demonstrator or tutor know via email.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply methods and ideas from the syllabus to real world problems in toxicology
  • LO2. contribute to the public debate in relation to safety and efficacy of therapeutic agents and contribute to the public discourse on environmental hazards and carcinogenesis
  • LO3. interpret epidemiological and statistical data from published studies and evaluate risks associated with toxicants (both environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals)
  • LO4. describe the process of carcinogenesis and will be able to explain how the epidemiology of cancer relates to exposure statistics
  • LO5. interpret study data and decide whether claims made are consistent with the evidence reported in the study
  • LO6. describe the regulatory requirements for establishing the safety of new therapeutic agents and explain the meaning of data arising from such studies
  • LO7. explain how an understanding of natural poisons can contribute to the development of therapeutic agents
  • LO8. use Excel to generate a non-linear model of dose-response data and derive the LD50 value from the model
  • LO9. employ standard epidemiological formulae to assess changes in risk associated with exposure to putative toxicant
  • LO10. discuss the Hill criteria for causality and implement this with respect to the assessment of the effect of toxicant exposure including tobacco and aflatoxins
  • LO11. work in a team on a large project with large datasets and generate a report to form a cap-stone project due at the end of semester
  • LO12. use Prism to perform basic statistical analysis of laboratory data.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessment weighting was revised based on student feedback. These changes provided more feedback (feedforward) and marks leading into the final examination.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances 
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory 
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories 
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door 
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory 
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.