Part A will focus on nanoscience and the evolution of nanotoxicology. It will explore the need for physical and chemical characterisation in conjunction with biological characterisation necessary for the determination of a valid nano risk assessment . It will also review current literature in the area of nanotoxicity. The aim of part A of this module is to introduce students to aspects of nanoscience relating to human health and safety particular emphasis will be given to the emerging discipline of nanotoxicology. National and international efforts to address knowledge gaps will also be reviewed.
Part B of the module is on computational studies: C-programming. The C programming part of the module aims to introduce the C rogramming language through real physical problems, and to build on the programming skills learnt in the Introduction to Programming module.
Part A: Introductory Nanoscience and Nanotoxicology Lecture Course
· Risk analysis;
· What kinds of risks are acceptable?
· The risk analysis triad- risk assessment, risk characterization, risk management;
· Ecological Risk Assessment and Human Health Risk Assessment;
· Risk models and framework;
· Basic Principles of Toxicology;
· Defining toxicology and nanotoxicology;
· Classification of toxicity (acute, subchronic, chronic );
· Classification of toxins- target organ, use, source, state;
· Objectives of a toxicological study ethics and requirements;
· Exposure routes for Toxins- Parenteral, oral, inhalation;
· Potential of nanomaterials to avoid bodies natural defence systems associated with the exposure routes;
· Dose estimation, dose duration, frequency and accumulation for general toxins;
· Dose estimation for nanotoxins effectiveness of mass based doses;
· Dose responses- The graded dose-response, quantal dose-response (LD50, ED50, TD50, TI);
· in vitro and in vivo tests employed to test nanomaterials e.g. use of cell cultures and animal · studies;
· Discuss specific cell responses e.g. Inflammatory, immunogenic, and genotoxic responses.
· Toxicokinetics and associated models · ADME- (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, And Elimination);
· Role of Toxicokinetics and ADME in nanotoxciology;
· Recommended physiochemical properties to be assessed for nanotoxciology;
· Expression of dose for nano with respect to physiochemical properties i.e size area, · charge etc;
· Effects of crystallinity, impurities.
·Review and critically assess reported toxicology of a range of nanomaterials including · fullerenes (organic and inorganic), nanotubes (organic and inorganic), quantum dots, metal · oxides. o Ecotoxicological benefits/risks of nanoparticles
· Review literature to date on ecotoxicological effects of nanoparticles e.g. effects on · aquatic organisms;
· Current state of the Risk Assessment of nanoparticles;
· Review of nanotechnology legislation and pending legislation;
· Policy Reports and Reviews.
Part B: Computational Studies
· C Programming,
· The components of a C program,
· Declaration of variables, assigning variables,
· Creation, compilation and debugging of programs,
· Loops, counters, cases,
· Functions,
· Strings and arrays, ·
Physical problems and numerical analysis
Lectures, self-study.
C programming will be taught primarily in the computer laboratory.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |