INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

ETX 10: Fall Quarter 2014

COURSE CONTENT

The course will present an introduction to the study of poisons and other hazardous substances,
their effects on humans, and their actions and movement in the environment. Emphasis will be
placed on substances of particular concern today. No prerequisites!

PLACE/TIME

Lecture: MWF 3:10 to 4:00 pm, Social Sciences Room 1100.

Note: If you miss class for any reason, you must review the slide hand-outs and find a classmate to
share their notes. Attend instructor and/or TA office hours with specific questions.

TEXTBOOK

There are no textbooks required for this course – save your hard-earned cash! Some readings will
be posted on the website.

EXAMINATIONS

Two midterm web-based multiple-choice examinations (30% of grade each)

Final web-based comprehensive multiple-choice examination (40% of grade)

INSTRUCTORS

Professor: Michele La Merrill

Office: Meyer Hall, Room 4245
Phone: 4-7254
Email: mlamerrill@ucdavis.edu
Office Hours: W 1:00-3:00pm, or by appointment.

Teaching Assistant: Rebecca Belloso

Office: Meyer Hall, Room 4249
Phone: TBA
Email: rabelloso@ucdavis.edu
Office Hours: W 9:00-10:00am, F 4:00-5:00pm, or by appointment.

MODULE 1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY

Date Lecture Topics

10/03/14 (F) Poisons and History – Trial and Error

10/06/14 (M) What – Toxic?
10/08/14 (W) Are They Drugs or Poisons?
10/10/14 (F) Why Kill ‘em and Count ‘em?
10/13/14 (M) Moon Rocks – Exposure versus Potency
10/15/14 (W) Perspectives on Risk (Rice)

Date Lecture Topics

10/17/14 (F) Biomagnification – Does it Really Occur?

10/20/14 (M) Where Do Chemicals Go?
10/22/14 (W) Could DDT Have Altered the Civil War?
10/24/14 (F) On Line Midterm Examination 1

MODULE 2 CHEMICALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Date Lecture Topics

10/27/14 (M) Killer Plankton (Tjeerdema)

10/29/14 (W) Tailpipes and Global Warming
10/31/14 (F) Sunlight, Chemicals and Skin (Rice)
11/03/14 (M) Corrosive Raindrops!
11/05/14 (W) Deepwater Horizon (Whitehead)
11/07/14 (F) Toxic Trades (Smith)
11/10/14 (M) Refrigerators and Ozone Depletion
11/12/14 (W) The Feared “Dead Zones” (Tjeerdema)
11/14/14 (F) On Line Midterm Examination 2

MODULE 3 TOXIC CHEMICALS AND THEIR EFECTS

Date Lecture Topics

11/17/14 (M) Animal Venoms - Eat or be Eaten!

11/19/14 (W) Plant Toxins – Natural Pesticides
11/21/14 (F) Tobacco and Health (Rice)
11/24/14 (M) Pesticides – Designed Killers
11/26/14 (W) Turkey Travel Day – no class!!
11/28/14 (F) Turkey Day Holiday
12/01/14 (M) Dioxin – Zits are the Pits! (Denison)
12/03/14 (W) Poisons in Forensics (Rice)
12/05/14 (F) Warfare Agents – Past & Present Threats
12/08/14 (M) Minimata Mystery
12/10/14 (W) Chemical Sex Changes
12/12/14 (F) Cancer – Can Anything Cause It?

Online Comprehensive Final Examination:

Saturday, December 13, 8 am – Thursday, December 18, 8:00 pm