Overview
Environmental toxicology is the study of the nature, properties, effects, and detection of toxic substances in diverse environments and those exposed. In this unit, you will study an introduction to basic toxicology from a public health perspective, focusing on developing an understanding of the principles of the discipline and the concepts relating to environmental exposures. Topics that will be covered include routes of exposure, the concept of dose, dose-response relationships, absorption and distribution of toxicants, biotransformation and elimination, target organ toxicity, carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, teratogenesis and risk assessment. You will examine toxicants of interest within community and occupational environments as well as how they are tested and regulated. You will practise your professional skills by reviewing case studies and special topics of interest.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: 48 credit points AND SCIE11022 OR ENVH11001 OR CHEM11041 OR CHEM11042 OR CHEM11044 Students who have completed other Chemistry or Biochemistry units should contact the Unit Coordinator.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator observation
H5P activities were unable to be developed during the previous iteration.
Develop interactive H5P activities to increase engagement with unit materials.
Feedback from Unit Coordinator observation
Student engagement with learning materials was exceedingly low.
Update supplementary learning materials to improve engagement.
- Define fundamental toxicological concepts
- Identify and classify a range of common toxicants and their environmental sources
- Explain the dose-response relationship and its implications and applications
- Describe fundamental processes and endpoints relating to toxicants within the human body
- Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management to toxicological situations
- Discuss major issues in environmental toxicology relating to exposures from natural and anthropogenic sources
- Critically consider the ethical and regulatory implications of toxicological research, associated uncertainties and risk communication.
Bachelor of Public Health (Environmental Health)
Foundation and applied environmental toxicology (LOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6) are identified as underpinning skills and knowledge in Part 2 of the Environmental Health Australia Skills & Knowledge Matrix, used as the basis for accreditation of the Bachelor of Public Health (Environmental Health) course. Methods of risk assessment and management (including as applied to toxicological issues) (LO 5) and the use of evidence in regulatory practice (LO7) are also identified as underpinning knowledge. Additionally, toxicology is an integral part of many of the activity-specific skills and knowledge identified in Part 3 of the Matrix.
Bachelor of Occupational Health & Safety
An understanding of toxicology is also important to support studies in Occupational Hygiene, considered a core knowledge area in the Safety Institute of Australia's Body of Knowledge, proposed to be used for accreditation of OHS courses within Australia.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||||
| 3 - Take Home Exam - 40% | |||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||||||||
| 3 - Take Home Exam - 40% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
Principles of Toxicology: Environmental and Industrial Applications
- Edition: 4th (2022)
- Authors: Stephen M. Roberts (Editor), Robert C. James (Editor), Phillip L. Williams (Editor)
- Wiley Global Research (STMS)
- Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , USA
- ISBN: 978-1-119-63516-1
The textbook will be made available in electronic form through the Library. Students do not need to purchase this textbook.
The textbook will be made available in electronic form through the Library. Students do not need to purchase this textbook.
A Textbook of Modern Toxicology
- Edition: 4th (2011)
- Authors: Hodgson, Ernest
- Wiley
- Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , USA
- ISBN: 978-1-118-21129-8
An earlier edition of this textbook is available in electronic form through the Library. Students do not need to purchase a copy.
- Binding: Hardcover
An earlier edition of this textbook is available in electronic form through the Library. Students do not need to purchase a copy.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bricknell@cqu.edu.au
s.delport@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 14 Jul 2025Module/Topic
Introduction to environmental toxicology
Exposure settings
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapters 1 & 3.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 21 Jul 2025Module/Topic
Classifying toxicants by use
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 28 Jul 2025Module/Topic
Toxicokinetics and biotransformation
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 04 Aug 2025Module/Topic
Toxic action- Acute toxicity
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1A opens 9:00 am Monday
Week 5
Begin Date: 11 Aug 2025Module/Topic
Chronic toxicity- carcinogens, mutagens and teratogens
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapters 11 & 12
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1A closes 9:00am Monday
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 18 Aug 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 25 Aug 2025Module/Topic
Target organs and systems
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapters 13 & 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 01 Sep 2025Module/Topic
Target organs and systems cont'd
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapters 16 & 18
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8
Begin Date: 08 Sep 2025Module/Topic
Risk assessment
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapters 20 & 23
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1B opens 9:00am Monday
Week 9
Begin Date: 15 Sep 2025Module/Topic
Toxicants in the environment
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 25
Events and Submissions/Topic
Quiz 1B closes 9:00am Monday
Week 10
Begin Date: 22 Sep 2025Module/Topic
Toxicants in the environment- cont'd
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 27
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 11
Begin Date: 29 Sep 2025Module/Topic
Regulation and ethics
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 22
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12
Begin Date: 06 Oct 2025Module/Topic
Future considerations
Chapter
Selected readings from Chapter 29
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review/Exam Week
Begin Date: 13 Oct 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The take home exam will be available from 9am on Thursday of this week.
Take home exam Due: Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 20 Oct 2025Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Use of GenAI in this unit
In this unit, students are permitted to utilise generative AI tools in restricted ways to enhance their learning and creativity. For assessment tasks, the permissions may vary; please check the precise permissions indicated under the assessment task information in this unit profile and on the unit Moodle site, for details pertaining to each specific assessment task.
In cases where generative AI is used with permission, it is imperative to use these tools with integrity. This means:
- Acknowledging AI Assistance: Clearly indicate when and how AI tools have been used in your work.
- Originality: Ensure that your submissions reflect your own understanding and effort. AI tools should support, not replace, your critical thinking and creativity.
- Ethical Use: Do not use AI to generate content that misrepresents your abilities or knowledge. Plagiarism, even with AI-generated content, is strictly prohibited.
- Respect for Guidelines: Follow all academic guidelines and policies regarding the use of AI tools in your coursework.
By adhering to these principles, you contribute to a fair and honest academic environment that values genuine learning and integrity. Use of generative AI outside of these guidelines may be considered to be a breach of academic integrity, which will be officially reported and acted upon.
This statement was developed by Dr Greer Haintz with assistance from Microsoft Copilot.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
- The quizzes will become available at 9:00am on the Monday of Weeks 4 and 8 and remain open until 9:00am on the following Monday (Weeks 5 and 9).
- There is no time limit to complete the quiz and you can save your quiz and return to it later (while the quiz is available)
- You will get your final result from the quiz showing which questions you got right or wrong. This will let you know what areas you need to study/revise.
- You should choose the most correct answer.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
2
Other
9:00am Monday Week 5 and 9:00am Monday Week 9.
After each quiz has closed.
Quiz 1A will assess the student's knowledge of general principles of toxicology, the different types and classes of toxins and basic toxicokinetics.
Quiz 1B will assess the student's knowledge of toxic actions, endpoints and organ/system toxicity.
- Define fundamental toxicological concepts
- Identify and classify a range of common toxicants and their environmental sources
- Explain the dose-response relationship and its implications and applications
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
2 Written Assessment
As an environmental toxicologist, you have been asked to provide an opinion and recommendations on an environmental toxicant, which will be provided to you on Moodle. In your response, you should include:
- a review of the literature relating to the toxicant, including a summary of:
- the active substance
- mechanisms of exposure
- acute measures of toxicity, NOAEL, dose-response, etc.
- toxicokinetics, biotransformation, target organs and endpoints
- the potential effects of chronic exposure
- evidence from research in the field
- an assessment of the exposure and risk associated with the toxicant
- a discussion of the benefits and concerns
- your considered opinion, based on the evidence you have reviewed
- your recommendation for action
Length: 3000 words (10% under- 20% over is acceptable).
As with any report, you should use appropriate evidence to support your statements. There is no prescribed format for this task but your report should use relevant headings and subheadings to guide the reader. A Table of Contents and Executive Summary is not required.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (24 Oct 2025)
This assessment task will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Relevance (30%)
- summarises relevant toxicological information from credible and reputable sources
- report is relevant to the scenario
- makes appropriate connections between evidence, opinion and recommendations
- uses appropriate methodology to assess risks
- aligns appropriately with unit content
- report is factually accurate
- accuracy of the application of evidence to opinion and recommendations
Validity (40%)
- depth and extent of discussion of the evidence presented
- depth and range of evidence used
- depth and extent of hazard analysis
- accuracy of exposure assessment
- quality of risk characterisation
- appropriate conclusions drawn from assessment of risks
- opinion and recommendations have been based on critical thought, analysis of the evidence and synthesis of new ideas
Organisation (20%)
- quality of consideration of the required components- attention paid to toxicological information, health effects, endpoints, exposure and risk are assessed, opinion is clearly expressed, recommendations are reasonable
- structure and flow of information
- coherence and clarity of expression (spelling, grammar, syntax)
Presentation (10%)
- style and formatting of report
- typographical matters (types, font, etc.)
- referencing is consistent and in accordance with Harvard style
- length
- Apply the principles of risk assessment and risk management to toxicological situations
- Discuss major issues in environmental toxicology relating to exposures from natural and anthropogenic sources
- Critically consider the ethical and regulatory implications of toxicological research, associated uncertainties and risk communication.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Take Home Exam
The Take Home Exam will examine all aspects of the unit content. It will be made available at 9am on Thursday of Week 13 and be due at 5pm on Friday of Week 13.
The exam will be in Word format and be open book. You will need to save the file to your local device and upload the completed document to Moodle.
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment task.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Prior to Certification of Grades.
- Define fundamental toxicological concepts
- Identify and classify a range of common toxicants and their environmental sources
- Explain the dose-response relationship and its implications and applications
- Describe fundamental processes and endpoints relating to toxicants within the human body
- Define fundamental toxicological concepts
- Identify and classify a range of common toxicants and their environmental sources
- Explain the dose-response relationship and its implications and applications
- Describe fundamental processes and endpoints relating to toxicants within the human body
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
