SLE312 - Toxicology
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | SBC312 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Julie Mondon |
| Prerequisite: | One level 2 chemistry or biology unit must have been completed (one of SLE212, SLE222, SLE211, SLE221, SLE234) or (one of SLE210, SLE213, SLE214, SLE233, SLE235). Biology - particularly physiology and biochemistry, would be an advantage. |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning including 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit introduces students to the basics of toxicology by explaining how toxic substances are absorbed and interact with biochemical systems and how this leads to clinical effects. The unit is taught with the aid of numerous case studies of actual poisoning in a variety of settings.
Topics addressed include basic toxicology; absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of toxins; chemical interactions in biological systems; biochemical interactions in toxicology; mechanisms of toxicity; and target organs, poisons and venoms, toxic chemicals in the environment.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe and explain the basic objectives, methodologies and applications of toxicology, including description of fundamental chemical processes and biological structures involved. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Demonstrate high-level written communication skills in the analysis and interpretation of a toxicological event and present an evaluation of the results based on current literature to a professional audience. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Demonstrate high-level writing skills in the communication of a toxicological event to a non-professional audience. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Apply their understanding of toxicology to authentic toxicological scenarios to evaluate and then communicate the causation and implications of the issue. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Online quizzes | Online multiple-choice quizzes (approximately 20 questions each) | 20% (2 x 10%) | Weeks 6 and 11 |
| Assessment 2 Report | 2,000 word written technical report | 40% | Week 8 |
| Assessment 3 Case study | 1,500 word written assignment | 40% | Week 10 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE312 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.