Examines basic concepts of toxicology as they apply to environmental toxicology. Discusses distribution, cellular penetration, metabolic conversion, and elimination of toxic agents, as well as the fundamental laws governing the interaction of foreign chemicals with biological systems. Focuses on the application of these concepts to the understanding and prevention of mortality and morbidity resulting from environmental exposure to toxic substances through a case study format.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• After completing this course, students will be able to do the following:
• Describe the chemical properties and the biological processes which modulate the toxicokinetics of chemical agents of public health importance.
• Explain the significance of biotransformation reactions as a determinant of the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic activities of chemicals.
• Describe molecular, cellular and pathophysiological responses resulting from exposure to chemical agents relevant to human health.
• Identify underlying susceptibility factors which contribute to the ability of chemicals to elicit bioeffects which contribute to human disease.
• Explain the science underlying testing for the ability of chemicals to elicit adverse human health effects.
• Put into perspective the role of toxicology in the risk assessment process.

Lecture 1: Absorption, Distribution and Excretion
Lecture 2: Xenobiotic Biotransformation
Lecture 3: Biomarkers and Susceptibility Factors
Lecture 4: Toxicity Testing, Dose Response and 
                  Risk Assessment
Lecture 5: Environmental Carcinogenesis
Lecture 6: Food-Borne Toxicants and Prevention 
                  in Toxicology
Lecture 7: Hepato and Renal Toxicology
Lecture 8: Reproductive and Developmental
                 Toxicology
Lecture 9: Persistent Organic Pollutants 
                 and Dioxins
Lecture 10: Neurotoxicology
Lecture 11: Immunotoxicology
Lecture 12: Air Toxicants
Lecture 13: Metal Toxicology
Lecture 14: Nanoparticle Toxicology 

Course content is divided into two modules. Within each module are individual lectures, which are presented sequentially and should be completed in that order. Lectures combine audio presentation and slides—just like attending lectures in class. You may return to any previous lecture at any point and review its contents at your convenience.

On each lecture's main page, you will find a listing of the section topics, links to the lecture materials, a listing of reading assignments, and links to Web resources. You'll also find any required course work.

We strongly encourage you to initiate and participate in bulletin board discussions with your fellow students. However, you will not be graded on your participation in these discussions.

There is no required textbook for the course.

Additional references (not required):

• Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology - The Basic Science of Poisons, 6th edition, Curtis D. Klaassen (ed), McGraw-Hill, NY, 2001
• Staying  Healthy in a Risky Environment: The New York University Medical Center Family Guide.  A.C. Upton and E. Graber (eds.)  Simon and Schuster
• Environmental Medicine: Integrating a Missing Element into Medical Education,  A.M. Pope and D.P. Rall (eds.)  National Academy Press
•  Principles of Toxicology:  Environmental and Industrial Applications, 2nd Edition P.L. Williams, R. C. James and S.M. Roberts (eds.), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NY, 2002.
•  A Textbook of Modern Toxicology, 3rd edition. E. Hodgson, ed. John Wiley and Sons, 2004.

Available at Matthews Johns Hopkins Medical Book Center and Amazon.com.

Specific reading assignments for the textbook are noted in the individual "Learn_Obj_Study_Q" documents (one for each lecture) in the Online Library (see folder labeled "Study Questions, Objectives, Reading Assignments").

Primary Faculty Michael A. Trush, PhD Room 7033B, Bloomberg School of Public Health (Wolfe Street) (410) 955-4712 mtrush@jhsph.edu James D. Yager, PhD Room 7032, Bloomberg School of Public Health (Wolfe Street) (410) 955-4712 jyager@jhsph.edu  Additional Faculty   Valeria Culotta, PhD: vculotta@jhsph.edu Tomas R. Guilarte, PhD: tguilart@jhsph.edu Thomas Kensler, PhD: tkensler@jhsph.edu Teaching Assistant Kamau Peters: kpeters@jhsph.edu

There will be two closed-book examinations of approximately 100 points each. The first will be the midterm examination, and the second will be the final examination. Exams will consist of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-essay/problem questions. The other components of the final grade will be two assignments. The first assignment is worth 15 points and the second assignment is worth 25 points.

Assignments: Please see the instructions pages for complete details for the two assignments. They must be completed on your own.

Midterm examination: The midterm is a closed-book examination covering lecture materials 1-6. The exam will be online using the Quiz Generator. A proctor system will be used to administer the examination, which will be the same as a classroom examination. You will work on the examination alone, without aids. 

Final examination: The final exam is a closed-book comprehensive examination of all the course material. It will be administered online using the quiz generator.  A proctor system will be used to administer the examination, which will be the same as a classroom examination. You will work on the examination alone, without aids.

Final grade: The final grade will be determined based on the number of points achieved by summing the total points on these four components versus the total number of points possible and determining a final grading scale, as follows:

A = 90% of total points
B = 80% of total points
C = <80% of total points

The final grading scale may be curved at the discretion of the faculty.

Step 1: Select a professional person as your proctor—a work supervisor, for example, or a librarian, a member of clergy, etc.—following the specified proctored exam guidelines. Confirm your proctor’s willingness and ability to proctor the exams for you on the approved testing dates, which are indicated on the course schedule next to the exam listings. Then complete and submit the proctor selection form on the guidelines page. You must submit this form no later than the due date indicated on the course schedule. You must have access to an Internet-enabled computer on which to take your exams in the presence of your proctor.

Step 2: Confirm that your proctor has received the password no later than two days before your scheduled exam date. Your proctor will receive an email from the course approximately one week before the earliest approved testing date (indicated on the course schedule next to the exam listing) with the password he/she will need to enter in order for you to access the exams.  You will also receive an email at that time informing him/her that a password has been sent to your proctor.  You should contact the course instructor/TAs immediately if the proctor has not received the password or if there are any questions about how to access the exams. Your selected proctor will enter a password into the online Quiz Generator to allow you  access to the exam and remain present while you complete the exam.  

Step 3: Take the exams on your selected date, following the specific instructions included in the exams. You will have an hour and a half to take both the midterm and final exams. 

For these exams, it is your responsibility to: 

• Identify a proctor (review link for proctored exam guidelines under Step 1, above)
• Determine the exact date and time that you will take the exams (within the requirements detailed here)
• Secure a location
• Supply a computer with access to the course website or ensure that your proctor will have same
• Be sure that your proctor has received the password required to access the exams