TOXICOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

The course aims to develop in the student the need for a close correlation between toxicology and chemistry. The course of Toxicological Chemistry is attentive to the chemical nature of toxic substances, including contaminants in the environment, food, drugs and cosmetic and herbal products, correlating with the use and reactivity with living organisms. The student will study relevant cases, will know the chemical classification of the pollutants, the factors that influence the toxicity, the terminology etc. and will be able to understand and evaluate environmental reports issued by government agencies and the like. The student acquires the ability to discuss chemical-toxicological problems and to prepare ad hoc reports. The student acquires skills in instrumental analysis. The student knows the terminology and understands it. The student knows theoretical background and knows how to describe the methodologies and the instrumentation necessary for the evaluation of the toxicity of xenobiotics. The student is able to evaluate and recognize the aspects relevant to the risk characterization related to the single chemical substance. The student is able to set a general report on specific toxicological problems. The student has the ability to discuss in multidisciplinary groups and multi-skills.

The teaching foresees a possible realignment of the students' knowledge / skills and the identification at the individual level of the level of knowledge of the "prerequisites". This phase ends with careful feedback to the individual student. The core of the teaching is based on the study of the different classifications of toxic substances and pollutants and on the way to describe the toxicity and the level of toxicity. The teaching continues with a systematic part and with the study of cases. The teaching ends with a descriptive part based on the research-based teaching & learning methodology. Activities can include classroom exercises, flipped classroom activities and work in small groups. The appeal is called at the beginning of each lesson. Attendance to lessons is not compulsory even if, it must be said, some parts of the program are developed exclusively in the classroom and can not be found in textbooks.

The contents of the course are described in detail in the program.

Teaching is strongly linked to current environmental issues. Topics that resonate with press organs or agencies such as EFSA are immediately dealt with in class. Government Agencies, Cases Study reports form the educational materials together with the content of classroom activities and recommended textbooks.