Environmental Toxicology

430 Physical Sciences Building
Telephone (831) 459-4719
FAX (831) 459-3524
http://www.etox.ucsc.edu

Lower-Division Courses

80E. Aquatic Toxicology. F
An introduction to the sources, cycling, and impacts of toxicants in aquatic systems, including acid rain, ground water, fresh water rivers and lakes, estuaries, and the ocean. Emphasis is on the properties of toxic chemicals that influence their biogeochemical cycles and factors that influence their toxicity to aquatic organisms and humans. (General Education Code(s): T2-Natural Sciences.) A. Flegal

Upper-Division Courses

101. Sources and Fates of Pollutants. F
Presents in-depth important principles of environmental toxicology related to the introduction, transport, and fate of toxicants in aquatic and terrestrial environments, including environmental chemistry and biogeochemical cycles as well as exposure to pathways and uptake by organisms. Additional emphasis placed on susceptibility and effects of toxicants across organ systems, toxicokinetic and biomarkers of exposure, and effects at the ecosystem level. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 201. A. Flegal

102. Cellular and Organismal Toxicology. W
Emphases of biochemical, cellular, and organ system basis of intoxication, including dose-response relationships, biotransformation of toxicants, biochemical mechanisms underlying toxicity, factors influencing toxic action, and biomarkers of exposure. Emphasizes effects of various classes of toxins, including heavy metals and persistent synthetic organics, with a focus on susceptible biochemical/cellular processes of the central nervous, immune, hepatic, and renal target organ systems. Designed for advanced undergraduates. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 202. (Also offered as Biology 122. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Biology 20A and 20B or equivalent; Biology 100, Biochemistry, and 110, Cell Biology, are recommended. Enrollment restricted to juniors and seniors. D. Smith

110. Scientific Presentations (3 credits). *
Presentation of scientific research in academic formats. These include both oral and poster presentations. The presentations will be based on original research conducted by each student. A. Flegal

120. Environmental Statistical Analysis. *
Provides a fundamental understanding of data generation, sampling design, and statistical analysis. Environmentally related data sets will be analyzed either by hand or using the statistical package "Minitab." (FWS) The Staff

125. Practicing Safe Science (2 credits). W
Introduces research safety principles and practices. Instructors and guest experts discuss research hazards and control measures. Students explore the safe use of research methods and materials via hands-on and outside exercises. Issues include compliance with hazardous waste and other environmental safety regulations. J. Schoonover

135. Biological Chemistry of the Elements. *
Examines, from a biological point of view, how the chemistry of elements is played out by a cell and identifies chemical and biological factors that govern a cell's selection of certain elements for biological reactions and processes. The goal is to inspire students, particularly the chemistry major, to learn and take cues from cells to appreciate and explore the beauty of chemistry. Prerequisite(s): Biology 100 or Chemistry 103 or Biochemistry 100A or equivalent. (FWS) The Staff

138. Biology of Disease. W
Primary objective is to provide an understanding of disease processes in humans. Integrates normal physiology and pathophysiology with the molecular and physiologic bases of diseases. Major emphasis on the physiological, molecular, and biochemical basis of diseases, with particular emphasis on the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, immune, and central nervous systems. Also addresses environmental risk factors in the etiology of diseases. Overviews provided, but covers selective topics considered most important in depth. (Also offered as Biology 118. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Prerequisite(s): Biology 20A and 20B or equivalent and Biology 110. Biology 130 is recommended. D. Smith

140. Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes. *
Focuses on several aspects of prokaryotic molecular biology. Covers transcriptional regulation, translational regulation, DNA replication and segregation, protein secretion, transport of small molecules, control of metabolism, stress response, bacterial differentiation, signal transduction, biofilm formation, and motility. Strong focus on experimental techniques and approaches used in prokaryotic molecular biology. Focus on model bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 240. Prerequisite(s): Biology 119. K. Ottemann

144. Groundwater Contamination.
Analyses of contemporary problems in groundwater contamination, based on current scientific understanding of contaminant transport in aquifers. Topics include both theoretical concepts and case studies. To be offered in alternate academic years. Prerequisite(s): Earth Science 110B. Offered in alternate academic years. A. Flegal

145. Medical Geology. S
An interdisciplinary analysis of natural geochemical processes that impact human health and of anthropogenic processes that exacerbate those impacts. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 1A, 1B, 1C, 1M, and 1N. A. Flegal

150. Introduction to Research and Experimental Design. *
Lecture-based course for advanced undergraduates actively engaged in undergraduate research (e.g., independent study or senior thesis). Emphasizes basic lab skills, including laboratory safety and handling of laboratory equipment; experimental design; scientific record keeping; and literature searching, review, and management. K. Ottemann, (FWS) The Staff

151. Scientific Writing and Presentation. *
For advanced undergraduates who are actively engaged in undergraduate research (e.g., independent study or senior thesis). Emphasizes the collection, reduction, analysis, management, and interpretation of scientific data; the presentation of scientific data in written and oral formats; and further development of critical thinking. Prerequisite(s): satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing and Composition requirements. (General Education Code(s): W.) The Staff

195. Senior Thesis. F,W,S
An individually supervised course, with emphasis on independent research culminating in a senior thesis. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

198. Independent Study. F,W,S
Provides for individual programs of study (a) by means other than the usual supervision in person or (b) when the student is doing all or most of the course work off campus. With permission of the department, two or three courses may be taken concurrently, or the course repeated for credit. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

199. Tutorial. F,W,S
Reading, discussion, written reports, and laboratory research on selected topics. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

Graduate Courses

201. Sources and Fates of Pollutants. F
Presents in-depth important principles of environmental toxicology related to the introduction, transport, and fate of toxicants in aquatic and terrestrial environments including environmental chemistry and biogeochemical cycles as well as exposure pathways and uptake by organisms. Additional emphasis will be placed on the susceptibility and effects of toxicants across organ systems, toxicokinetics and biomarkers of exposure, and effects at the ecosystem level. Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 101. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified undergraduate science majors may enroll with permission of instructor. A. Flegal

202. Cellular and Organismal Toxicology. W
Emphasizes biochemical, cellular, and organ system basis of intoxication, including dose-response relationships, biotransformation of toxicants, biochemical mechanisms underlying toxicity, factors influencing toxic action, and biomarkers of exposure. Emphasizes effects of various classes of toxins, including heavy metals and persistent synthetic organics, with a focus on susceptible biochemical/cellular processes of the central nervous, immune, hepatic, and renal target organ systems. Students cannot receive credit for this course and Environmental Toxicology 102 or Biology 122. (Also offered as Biology 202. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students. D. Smith

203. Cellular and Molecular Toxicology. *
Presents in-depth cellular and molecular principles of environmental toxicology. These include modes of action and cellular and molecular targets of toxicants, as well as mechanisms of cellular and molecular responses to toxicants and their detoxification. State-of-the-art biological methodologies and approaches to identify and study cellular targets of toxicants. Designed to provide students with a broad and deep understanding of the biological aspects of toxicology at both cellular and molecular levels, and the skills to approach emerging challenges in the field. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified undergraduates may enroll with instructor's permission. (FWS) The Staff

205. Scientific Skills, Ethics, and Writing. *
Course provides fundamental training of graduate students in the scientific method, experimental design, ethics in science, grant proposal and scientific writing, data presentation, and scientific speaking. Students are evaluated on class participation, performance, and a written NIH/NSF style research proposal. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. D. Smith, K. Ottemann

210. Molecular and Cellular Basis of Bacterial Pathogenesis. S
Focuses on the molecular basis of bacterial pathogenesis with specific emphasis on gene expression, regulation, and ecology and evolution. Advanced undergraduates with extensive background in microbiology and biology may enroll with permission of instructor. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Advanced undergraduates with extensive background in microbiology and biology may enroll with permission of instructor. F. Yildiz

215. Seminar in Advanced Prokaryotic Molecular Biology (2 credits). W
Seminar focuses on aspects of prokaryotic molecular biology. Specific topics include transcriptional regulation, translational regulations, DNA replication, secretion of proteins, transport of small molecules, bacterial differentiation, signal transduction, biofilm formation, and motility. Discussions focus on model bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. (Formerly Advanced Prokaryotic Molecular Biology.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students. F. Yildiz, K. Ottemann

240. Molecular Biology of Prokaryotes. *
Focuses on several aspects of prokaryotic molecular biology. Covers transcriptional regulation, translational regulation, DNA replication and segregation, protein secretion, transport of small molecules, control of metabolism, stress response, bacterial differentiation, signal transduction, biofilm formation, and motility. Strong focus on experimental techniques and approaches used in prokaryotic molecular biology. Focus on model bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.Students cannot receive credit for this course and course 140. K. Ottemann

281A. Topics in Environmental Toxicology. F,W,S
Selected topics in environmental toxicology. Topics vary from year to year. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified upper-division science majors may enroll with instructor's permission. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

281C. Topics in Environmental Microbiology (2 credits). F,W,S
Seminar and discussion focusing on mechanism of microbial transformation of metals. Participants present results from their research projects in a seminar format. Relevant journal articles presented and discussed. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualifed undergraduates may enroll with instructor's permission. C. Saltikov

281F. Topics in Aquatic Toxicology. F,W,S
Analyses of the sources and fates of aquatic pollutants. Discussions on processes at the air-water interface, within the water column, and in aquatic sediments. Topics vary from year to year. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified upper-division science majors may enroll with instructor's permission. May be repeated for credit. A. Flegal

281O. Topics in Bacterial Pathogenesis (2 credits). F,W,S
Intensive seminar focusing on mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis of the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Participants are required to present results from their own research and relevant journal articles. (Also offered as Biology 280O. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.) Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified undergraduates may enroll with permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 20. May be repeated for credit. K. Ottemann

281S. Cellular and Organismal Responses to Toxicants. F,W,S
Intensive research seminar on the concepts, theory, and techniques in deriving physiologically based pharmacokinetic models of toxin exposure, metabolism, and efficacy of therapeutic treatment in mammalian models of human metal toxicity. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified undergraduates may enroll with permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. D. Smith

281Y. Biofilms: Processes and Regulation (2 credits). F,W,S
Intensive seminar series focusing on the most current work on genes and the processes that regulate biofilm development dynamics as well as on the recent developments on visualization of biofilms. Presentation and discussion based. Enrollment restricted to graduate students. Qualified undergraduate students may enroll with instructor's permission. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

282. Current Approaches to Molecular Pathogenesis (2 credits). W
Graduate level seminar focusing on the mechanisms by which bacterial pathogens cause disease. Specific topics include basic concepts of virulence and virulence factors, virulence factor regulation, toxins, and interactions of pathogens with mammalian cells and organs. Discussions focus on several key pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimuruim, and Listeria monocytogenes. May be repeated for credit. K. Ottemann

290. Proseminar. F,W,S
Special topics offered from time to time by faculty, visiting professors, or staff members. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified undergraduates may enroll with instructor's permission. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

290A. Biological Impact of Chemical Exposures. *
Approaches different techniques of biological monitoring and the exposure and effect of biomarkers related to occupational and environmental exposure to chemicals. Available methods for risk assessment and identification of protective exposure limits also considered. The Staff

292. Introductory Graduate Seminar (no credit). F,W,S
Weekly seminars by academic and research faculty on their areas of special interest. Students write weekly abstracts on articles covered by the seminars. Enrollment restricted to graduate students; qualified undergraduates may enroll with instructor's permission. The Staff

297. Independent Study. F,W,S
Independent study for graduate students who have not yet settled on a research area for the thesis. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

299. Thesis Research. F,W,S
Students submit petition to sponsoring agency. May be repeated for credit. The Staff

*Not offered in 2006-07