Course syllabus

Health Impacts of Environmental Exposure, Second Cycle, 5 credits

Course code: MX302A Credits: 5
Main field of study: Environmental Science Progression: A1N
    Last revised: 13/03/2020
Education cycle: Second cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 02/12/2019 Reading list approved: 13/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

Knowledge and comprehension
After completing the course, students

  • understand and explain the concept of exposome,
  • are able to give examples of different types of exposure including exposure pathway and their related health impacts,
  • understand and describe the methodologies applied in exposome research such as metabolomics, environmental analysis and effect directed analysis, and
  • understand and use basic data integration tools in exposome research.

Proficiency and ability
After completing the course, students will be able to

  • describe different types of exposure and identify their related health impacts,
  • employ methodologies in exposome research such as metabolomics, environmental analysis and effect directed analysis,
  • show skills in data processing and interpretation of results, and quality assurance and quality control in exposome research, and
  • identify the challenges in the field of exposome research.

Values and attitude
After completion of the course, the student will be able to

  • plan and report exposome research,
  • reflect over group work, their own role within the group, and their own learning process, and
  • assess health impacts of exposures.

Main content of the course

This course gives an overview of the health effects of environmental exposure, exposure pathways and the methodologies to characterise both the environmental exposures as well as the health impacts, such as environmental screening, metabolomics as well as basic data integration tools. Advantages and limitations of different approaches are covered. In addition, the pathways leading to adverse health outcomes are presented.

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures, problem-based learning and laboratory work.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Theory, 3 credits (Code: A001)
Written Examination.

Practical Part, 2 credits (Code: A002)
Group wise written and oral presentations of laboratory work. Attendance and active participation in laboratory work and oral presentations. Active participation in problem-based learning seminars.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

Absence from Mandatory Course Component If a student is absent from a mandatory course component, the examiner determines if the student will be able to make up for the component during another scheduled class of the same kind. Otherwise, the student is referred to the next time the course is offered. As an exception the examiner may decide on substitute assignments. These shall then be carried out before or shortly after the end of the course.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Theory
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Practical Part
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain a passing grade for the course as a whole, a minimum of grade E is required for the theoretical part on the course as well as Pass (G) on the practical part, which includes participation in laboratory work, oral presentations and problem-based learning seminars. The final course grade is based on the result of the theoretical part.

Specific entry requirements

A first-cycle qualification comprising 90 credits with successive specialization in natural science, alternatively the medical field, with 60 credits in the main area of chemistry, biology, environmental science, medicine or biomedicine. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is given in English.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Additional Reading

Escher, Beate I. et al.
From the exposome to mechanistic understanding of chemical-induced adverse effects.
Environment International 99 (2017) 97–106
(doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.11.029)

Giulivo, Monica et al.
Human exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds: Their role in reproductive systems, metabolic syndrome and breast cancer. A review.
Environmental Research151(2016)251–264
(doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.011)

Athersuch, Toby
Metabolome analyses in exposome studies: Profiling methods for a vast chemical space.
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 589 (2016) 177e186
(doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.10.007)

Bonvallot, Nathalie et al.
Metabolomics as a powerful tool to decipher the biological effects of environmental contaminants in humans.
Current Opinion in Toxicology 2018, 8:48–56
(doi.org/10.1016/j.cotox.2017.12.007)