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 will acquire the ability to discuss chemical-toxicological problems and to prepare ad hoc reports. The student will acquire skills in instrumental analysis. The student will know the terminology and understands it. The student will know theoretical background and how to describe the methodologies and the instrumentation necessary for the evaluation of the toxicity of xenobiotics. The student will be able to evaluate and recognize the aspects relevant to the risk characterization related to the single chemical substance. The student will be able to set a general report on specific toxicological problems. The student will have 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.

An instructional tutorial model is provided, by the teacher himself or by a tutor assigned by the university, alongside the face-to-face lessons and will be carried out online. The balance between in-person teaching and online teaching (eventually together with the tutorial) may vary throughout the year according to the evolution of COVID-19.

The students will take advantage of the tutoring to customize their training experience according to their interests and professional aspirations.

At the beginning of the course, the teacher will want to know the individual training needs and the objectives that the individual student proposes by attending the course and the course of study.

Specific role of tutoring embedding in the teaching period is (i) to facilitate study, exercise and discussion at the individual or small group level; (ii) to allow simulation of a professional environment; (iii) to facilitate the feedback from the teacher; (iv) to allow to focus on specific local / national / international environmental problems.

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

Information for students with disabilities and / or SLD:
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and / or dispensatory measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs.
It is also possible to contact the referent teacher CInAP (Center for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and / or SLD) of our Department, Prof. Teresa Musumeci

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.