Outline

Overview

This unit of study is designed to introduce students with a basic understanding of pharmacology to the discipline of toxicology. The study of toxicology is central to the assessment of drug safety in drug development and in the explanation of toxicology associated with registered drugs (adverse drug reactions) and drug-drug interactions. These issues as well as the pharmacogenetic basis of adverse reactions will be considered. Environmental toxicology, particularly toxic reactions to environmental agents such as asbestos and pesticides, and target organ toxicology (lung, liver, CNS) are also covered. The diverse world of plants and animal toxins will also be explored. As a final consequence of exposure to many toxicants, the biology and causes of cancer are discussed. As part of the unit students are introduced to basic ideas about the collection and analysis of data from human and animal populations, both in the structured situation of clinical trials, forensic problems and in analysis of epidemiological data.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(PCOL2011 or PCOL2021 or MEDS2002) or (BMED2401 and BMED2405)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	PCOL3911
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
Final exam	Final examination - Online Online MCQ and written elements	60%	Mid-semester exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Tutorial presentation Oral presentation	8%	Multiple weeks	5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quizzes To be added by the unit coordinator	10%	Multiple weeks	To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Tutorial participation Participation	2%	Ongoing	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	LD50 report Report	20%	Week 11	To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed:
= 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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

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

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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 toxicants
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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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.

Additional information

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PCOL3011: Toxicology

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect