Module 1. General Concepts

Module 1: General Concepts

Date of release/last update: created 13-03-2016, last version 24-11-2017

Authors                

• Fernando Remião (UPorto)
  
• Ana Rita Lima (UPorto)
  
• Daniela Rodrigues (U.Porto)
  
• Carolina Rocha-Pereira (U.Porto)
  
• Helena Carmo (UPorto)
  
• Félix Carvalho (UPorto)
  
• Maria de Lourdes Bastos (UPorto)
  

Short descriptions

This module aims to define Toxicology and its main areas (Mechanistic, Descriptive and Regulatory). The sub-disciplines Forensic, Clinical, Environmental, Occupational Toxicology as well as Toxicogenomics will be also presented in video. Concepts of toxic, toxin, xenobiotics, types of intoxications (acute/chronic, accidental/intentional), types of xenobiotic interactions (additive, synergic, potentiation and antagonism), tolerance, maximum effect and potency will be explain.

Intended learning outcomes       

The main Learning Objectives of this module are:

• To understand the main and overall concepts related to the Toxicology;
  
• To share a basic common acknowledgment between students, that will be important to understand the following modules;
  
• To create the learning environment of the course that will help the students to finish it with success.
  

Learning Outcomes: at the end of this module, the learner should be able to:

• Recognize the main denominations that are common in Toxicology;
  
• Explain the main areas in Toxicology field;
  
• Define concepts as toxic, toxin, xenobiotics, types of intoxications (acute/chronic, accidental/intentional), types of xenobiotic interactions (additive, synergic, potentiation and antagonism), tolerance, maximum effect and potency;
  
• Interpret the different types of xenobiotic interactions and the tolerance phenomenon;
  
• Differentiate the parameters of the biological effects of xenobiotics: maximum effect and potency.
  

Module structures (Topics)          

1.1 Glossary (terms and concepts)

• Mechanistic, Descriptive and Regulatory Toxicology
  
• Forensic, Clinical, Environmental, Occupational Toxicology, Toxicogenomics
  
• Xenobiotics, toxic, toxin
  
• Types of intoxications: acute/chronic, accidental/intentional
  
• Additive, synergic, potentiation and antagonism
  
• Tolerance
  
• Maximum effect and potency

Estimated workload     

1 ECTS: 28 hours

Audience           

Students (University, PhD or Master) of degrees:

• Pharmacy
  
• Medicine
  
• Nursing
  
• Veterinary medicine
  
• Biology
  
• Environmental Engineering
  
• Forensic sciences
  

Students of Vocational training

• Pharmacy assistant
  
• Nursing assistant
  
• Veterinary assistant
  
• Laboratory technicians
  

Professionals in fields related to toxicology

• Pharmacists
  
• Occupational medicine professionals
  
• Forensics
  
• Supervisory bodies
  
• Police forces
  
• General audience interested in toxicology
  

Available languages          

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Czech, Romanian, Bulgarian, Finnish. 

First, an English or native language version of each author will be created. Translations into the languages of all involved countries and English will be the final outcome.