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The Fundamentals of Environmental Health Sciences series EVHS 401 and 402 consists of the 4 courses described below, which provide an introduction to the field of Environmental Health Sciences. The information in these courses is primarily presented as lectures, however, students will also learn how to dissect pertinent scientific papers.
EVHS 401A- Biochemical Toxicology I [Fall Semester]
This course details the fundamentals of biochemical toxicology. Specific topics include oxidation - reduction reactions, Phase I and II xenobiotic metabolism and mechanisms of cellular toxicity. [1.5 credits]
EVHS 402A- Risk Assessment [Fall Semester]
This course presents an overview of the scientific approaches used to determine whether environmental agents are potentially dangerous to people. In this course, criteria utilized for establishing exposure limits is presented. A variety of assays which can be employed to assess the impact of environmental exposure on normal and genetically susceptible individuals are studied. These include: numerous animal tests, short term toxicity and mutagenicity tests, functional assays, molecular techniques to delineate mechanisms of action, epidemiology studies and controlled clinical trials. [1.5 credits] Syllabus
EVHS 401B- Effects of Exposure to Environmental Toxins [Spring Semester]
This course provides an introduction to toxic agents found in the environment and presents an overview of chemical and physical agents which have acute toxic and/or genotoxic effects on cells. Toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity and the potential for exposure to these agents through environmental, occupational and medicinal routes are discussed. [1.5 credits] Syllabus
EVHS 402B- Biochemical Toxicology II [Spring Semester]
This course focuses on pharmacology. General principles of pharmacology, drug transport and absorption, drug metabolism, neuropharmacology, immunopharmacology and pharmacokinetics are discussed. [1.5 credits]
EVHS 403- Radiation Biology [Fall Semester]
Topics include, but are not limited to: Physics and chemistry of radiation; Physical, chemical and cellular factors that modify the radiation response; Radiation-induced DNA damage and its repair; Radiation mutagenesis and carcinogenesis; The radiation syndrome; Background and man-made sources of radiation - analysis of risk versus benefit. Time, dose, dose rate and fractionation in the therapeutic use of radiation; The molecular biology or radiation response and current attempts to manipulate it for therapeutic benefit; The physics, chemistry, biology and molecular biology of alternate treatment modalities including hyperthermia and photodynamic therapy. [3 credits]
Prerequisite: 1 Semester of Biochemistry or Molecular Biology
EVHS 405- Radioisotopes
This course presents fundamentals necessary for understanding the applications and limitations involved in using radioisotopes in research. Topics include theory of nuclear events, the different types of nuclear decay (their energies, detection, penetration and interaction with matter, shielding, the body burden), use of stable isotopes, considerations for setting up laboratories, including in vitro and in vivo experimental design, complications with toxic materials, and regulations on the use of these materials. [3 credits]
EVHS 409- Principles of Toxicology
This course introduces the student to the area of toxicology. Topics presented include toxicity of agents to the skin, renal, liver, pulmonary, and hematopoietic systems. The environmental distribution, metabolism, and variety of responses of toxins will be discussed. [3 credits]
EVHS 502- DNA Damage and Repair [Fall Semester]
This course examines the mechanisms and repair processes through which cells respond to DNA damage caused by environmental agents. The class consists of formal lectures which introduce each topic, and analysis of up-to-date literature on topics representative of major current areas of interest in this field. Topics covered include fidelity of DNA replication, excision repair, mismatch repair, transcription-linked repair, SOS repair and recombination repair. Other DNA damage responses controlling decision points between DNA repair and apoptosis are also considered. Agent-specific DNA damage, such as that caused by agents leading to bulky adducts, AP sites, base-base mismatches and damage to DNA bases are studied in the context of specific repair processes responding to these DNA insults in procaryotes and eukaryotes. [3 credits] Syllabus
Prerequisite: EVHS 401 and EVHS 402
EVHS 510- Molecular Oncology
This course explores the role of environmental factors in causing alterations in cellular mechanisms which lead to cancer. Emphasis is placed on genetic and other regulatory alterations leading to cell transformation. The role of oncogenes and suppressor genes in these processes and the mechanisms through which chemotherapy and immunotherapy manifest toxicity for cancer cells will be considered. [3 credits]
Prerequisite: EVHS 401 and EVHS 402
EVHS 505- Seminar
Current topics of interest in genetic toxicology and related areas. [1 credit]
EVHS 506- Independent Study in Environmental Health Sciences, [1-6 credits]
EVHS 602- Research, [3-9 credits]
EVHS 651- Master's Thesis Research, [1-9 credits]
EVHS 701- Dissertation Ph.D., [1-9 credits]
EVHS 702- Dissertation Fellowship Post-Candidacy Research, [1-9 credits]
(Credit as arranged)