The following two courses are compulsory for all PhD students, electives for MSc students as part of their degree requirements, and PDFs are permitted to audit them.
I. Course Title:
Advance Exposure Characterization
Course Objectives:
This course gives students practical and theoretical knowledge of state-of-the-art techniques in trace analytical environmental chemistry for sampling, identifying and quantifying contaminants in human and environmental samples. The course covers concepts of modern separation and detection, and although there are no laboratory component to the course, examples of the instrumental analysis of priority substances will be streamed interactively to the classroom through use of video conferencing. Focus is also on important aspects of sampling, quality control and data quality for use in subsequent environmental or human risk assessments. Overall, students will develop their knowledge of the relative sensitivity and specificity of various techniques for organic and metal contaminants while learning to critically assess the quality of any data that they evaluate.
II. Course Title:
Advance Effect Characterization
Course Objectives:
This course teaches students how to use advanced (bio)analytical techniques in toxicological sciences and provides practical examples of how these tools may be used in ecological and human health risk assessment. The course covers cutting edge methodologies including microdosing, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and high-throughput in vitro screening approaches to identify toxicological hazards, modes of action, as well as characterization of the dose-response. Lectures are paired with practical sessions demonstrating applied bioinformatics and computational modeling tools that are required for critical analysis and interpretation of the data produced from these technologies. These sessions will be run in computer laboratories and provide students with practical hands-on experience with data produced from these technologies. Overall, students will develop an understanding of how these advanced techniques are being applied, their strengths and limitations, and potential future applications.