Course Title: Toxicology and Chemical Safety

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Toxicology and Chemical Safety

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

PUBH1374

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2011

Course Coordinator: Leo Ruschena

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 1982

Course Coordinator Email: leo.ruschena@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: city campus

Course Coordinator Availability: by negotiation


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

CHEM1014 or similar basic chemistry course.


Course Description

The course is in two integrated parts.


Part 1 Toxicology  is the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical or biological agents on living organisms at the cellular or organ level. This course will provide the student with an understanding of basic toxicology within a practical context that would be of relevance to occupational or environmental safety practitioners.


Part 2 Chemical Safety reviews the use of chemicals in the workplace and identifies the major hazard groupings. At the completion of the course, the student should be able to understand the main groupings of dangerous goods, be able to determine the risks to workers and the environment, and to be able to develop practicable control measures to control the risks to acceptable levels that may be defined in legislation, or best practice.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Following successful completion of the course, students will have enhanced the following capabilities:

Knowledge Capability through the understanding of appropriate and relevant, fundamental and applied scientific knowledge with the ability to use and apply that knowledge in a wide range of problems, enabling an effective approach to dealing with new situations as professionals.

Technical Capability
The awareness, selection and use of appropriate laboratory and field materials and equipment, and the ability to employ these in a safe and responsible manner gained from practical experience in the skills, technologies and competencies of their chosen area and related professions.


Critical Analysis and Problem Solving
The ability to design, conduct and interpret experiments for problem solving and creative thinking, displaying knowledge of issues and debates in the field of study to serve in the development of conceptual skills, intellectual curiosity, individual thought, ongoing creativity, critical reflection on practice, and life-long learning.
Employ and apply appropriate critical and analytical thought in a professional manner using available IT and literature resources.



After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • understand the basic principles associated with toxicology and chemical hazards and the regulations that apply to them
  • understand the principles of chemical risk assessment
  • develop appropriate control strategy for chemical or toxicologic hazards


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will  include face to face lectures and tutorials, self directed research, practical experiments, presentations, class discussion and exams.


Overview of Learning Resources

Course notes will be provided on line.

Library resources related to toxicology and chemical safety can be found in the Library OHS Subject Guide.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will consist of:

  • research assignments
  • experimental practical reports
  • presentations
  • quizzes
  • examination or in class test