TOXICOLOGY 2001: ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 61303

MWF 10:00 AM TO 10:50 AM SUGAR HALL 259

I. Contact Information

Instructor-in-Charge: Dr. K.N. Baer

Telephone: 342-1698
Email: baer@ulm.edu
Webpage: http://ulm.edu/pharmacy/baer/default.html
Office/Hours: 258 Sugar Hall/8:00 am to 10:00 am M-F

II. Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

BIOL 1020, 1021; CHEM 1007, 1009

III. Course Description

This course will encompass both the fate and effects of chemicals in the environment, with emphasis in
aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Potential sources, routes of exposure, and physical, chemical, and
biological factors important with the movement of contaminants within various components of the
ecosystems will be examines. In addition, emerging environmental regulations, issues, and case studies will
be discussed.

IV. Course Objectives and Outcomes

This course will promote understanding of the environmental fate and effects of chemicals in the
environment. Topics include understanding the interaction of chemicals with the physical and biological
components of the environment and predicting the effects at higher levels of biological organization.

Students will be expected to understand the sources of pollutants in the environment, the fate and effect of
these pollutants to aquatic and wildlife species, and the use of biomarkers to assess environmental
contamination. Understanding of these concepts will be assessed using written examinations and a research
paper.

V. Course Topics
Topics will include history of environmental toxicology, classes of pollutants, environmental fate and
effects of pollutants, ecotoxicity testing methods, biomarkers, biomonitoring techniques, case studies,
population and community effects, environmental justice, and environmental risk assessment.

VI. Instructional Methods and Activities

PowerPoint presentations, videos, class discussions, homework reading assignments and website
activities will be used in this class.
VII. Evaluation and Grade Assignment
Evaluation:
Five in-class exams, each are approximately 20% of final grade 100%

NOTE: Each in-class exam will cover all material presented in the section. In-class exams are
“closed-book.” NO informational resources (i.e. class notes, textbook, internet, electronic storage
device, etc.) of any kind are to be used during an examination unless authorized by the course
coordinator. Information acquired from previous lectures in the course and from pre-requisite
courses may be needed in preparing for these examinations. Exams will cover material (readings,
outside assignments) not covered in class. Exam dates will be set prior to the start of the semester.
Exam dates and times will only be changed in the event of a University closing. Each exam may
contain a mixture of question types and may include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, or
discussion. Exams will be appropriately weighted for calculation of the final grade. Students
wishing to have an exam question re-graded or evaluated will need to submit the whole exam and
the whole exam will be re-graded. Mid-term grades will be posted on-line for students to view via
Arrow. Mid-term grades indicate a student’s status at mid-semester only and do not indicate the
final performance outcome of a student.

GRADE PERCENT
A 90-100
B 80-89.99
C 70-79.99
D 60-69.99
F < 60

VIII. Class Policies and Procedures

At a minimum, all policies stated in the current ULM Student Policy Manual & Organizational Handbook
should be followed (see http://www.ulm.edu/studentpolicy/).

A. Textbook(s) and Materials

Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, any edition, by M.C. Newman and M.A. Unger.

Readings from websites will be posted for this course

B. Attendance Policy

1. Class attendance is regarded as an obligation and a privilege, and all students are expected to
attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are enrolled. Failure to do so may
jeopardize a student’s scholastic standing and may lead to suspension from the University.
2. Any student who is not present for at least 75% of the scheduled class sessions in any course may
receive a grade of “W” if this condition occurs prior to the last day to drop a course or a grade
of “F” after that date (March 21, 2022)

C. Make-up Policy:
For exams and paper, the students are responsible for material contained in all required reading,
handout and lecture materials and homework. Students are responsible for all assigned reading
materials whether or not they are covered in lecture.
 If a student cannot attend an exam or a quiz, ADVANCE NOTICE MUST BE GIVEN to the
instructor. If the student has a University approved excuse for missing the exam, one opportunity
will be given for a make-up exam on the day of the final exam. Failure to attend a scheduled make-
up will result in a grade of zero (0) for that exam. Make-up exams will be prepared at a similar level
of difficulty and may be given as a written exam or an oral exam in the presence of another faculty
member.
Instructors may also give pop quizzes during the semester on required readings or homework
problems. Points from these quizzes will be added to the student’s total points for the class.
Unannounced quizzes will not be dropped. Make-up quizzes, if necessary will be given on the day
of the final exam.

Exams and/or quizzes will NOT be given early.

Frequent required readings will be assigned to the class. The student is responsible for the content of
those readings and should be prepared to discuss them in class. Students will be asked throughout
the semester to answer and/or discuss relevant questions in front of the class or in small groups.

D. Academic Integrity

Cheating, plagiarism, or other inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. Academic cheating includes
but is not limited to the accomplishment or attempted accomplishment of the following:

1. Copying or obtaining information from another student's test paper.*

2. Using, during a test, materials not authorized by the person giving the test.**
3. Collaborating, conspiring, or cooperating during an in-class or take-home test with any
other person by giving or receiving information without authority.
4. Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining all or part of an unadministered test.
5. Selling or giving away all or part of an unadministered test or any information
concerning specific questions and items on an unadministered test.
6. Requesting, bribing, blackmailing, or in any other way causing any other person to
obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test or a test in
the process of being administered.
7. Substituting for another student, or permitting any other person to substitute for oneself
to take a test.
8. Submitting as one's own, in fulfillment of academic requirements, any work prepared
totally or in part by another person.
9. Any selling, giving, or otherwise supplying to another student for use in fulfilling
academic requirement any work.
10. Submitting artificially produced data or information in the place of descriptive,
experimental, or survey results.
11. Any other devious means of securing an unearned grade in a non-credit course or in a
course offered for credit.
12. Using, during a test, any electronic storage device, wireless and/or internet-based
technology, or any other means that provides information not authorized for use during
the testing period.
*A student looking on another student's paper is considered cheating.

**The presence on one's person (or in close proximity thereto) of a condensation of test
information which could be regarded as a "cheat sheet" will be considered adequate evidence
to establish cheating.
Plagiarism is the use of any other person's work (such work need not be copyrighted) and the
unacknowledged incorporation of that work in one's own work offered for credit.
E. Course Evaluation Policy

At a minimum, students are expected to complete an on-line course evaluation as well as any
evaluation administered in class by the Department of Toxicology.

F. Student Services

Student Services:

The University of Louisiana at Monroe strives to serve students with special needs through
compliance with Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities
Act. These laws mandate that postsecondary institutions provide equal access to programs and
services for students with disabilities without creating changes to the essential elements of the
curriculum. While students with special needs are expected to meet our institution's academic
standards, they are given the opportunity to fulfill learner outcomes in alternative ways. Examples of
accommodations may include, but are not limited to, testing accommodations (oral testing, extended
time for exams), interpreters, relocation of inaccessible classrooms, permission to audiotape lectures,
note-taking assistance, and course substitutions.

Information about ULM student services can be found via these links:
• Student Success Center www.ulm.edu/studentsuccess
• Counseling Center www.ulm.edu/counselingcenter/
• Special Needs at www.ulm.edu/studentaffairs/
• Library www.ulm.edu/library/reference.html
• Computing Center Help Desk www.ulm.edu/computingcenter/helpdesk

Current college’s policies on serving students with disabilities can be obtained on the ULM website:
www.ulm.edu/counselingcenter/
• If you need accommodation because of a known or suspected disability, you should contact the
Director for Disabled Student Services at:

• Voice phone: 318-342-5220

• Fax: 318-342-5228

• Walk-In: ULM Counseling Center, 1140 University Avenue (this building and room are
handicapped accessible).
Mental Wellness on the ULM Campus

If you are having any emotional, behavioral, or social problems and would like to talk with a caring,
concerned professional, please call one of the following numbers:
• The ULM Counseling Center: 318-342-5220
• The Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic: 318- 342-9797
• The Community Counseling Center: 318-342-1263
Remember that all services are offered free to students, and all are strictly confidential.

If you have special needs that I need to be made aware of, you should contact me within the first two
days of class.
Sexual Harassment or Gender-Based Discrimination

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an
educational program or activity that receives federal funds, including federal loans and grants. Furthermore,
Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and
retaliation. If you encounter sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact the Title IX
Coordinator at 318-342-1004; you may also file a complaint online, 24 hours a day, at: www.ulm.edu/titleix.

G. Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures: In case of fire or other emergency, students should evacuate the building until an
all clear is given. Aides will be assigned to assist any/all disabled students who need assistance. The
emergency exit from the room is attached. The point of assembly will be the courtyard adjacent to Sugar
Hall and the Administration Building (see attached map).

H. Discipline/Course Specific Policies

Academic dishonesty will result in a referral to Committee on Ethical and Professional Standards
with a recommendation for a grade of “F” for the course and expulsion from the College and
University. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to the use of information taken from
others work or ideas, the provision of help to others on non-collaborative evaluations (tests, quizzes,
etc.), collaboration on take home exams, or the use of unapproved information or electronic devices
to assist in obtaining an answer to the question.

Federal Regulations require determination and verification of every students’ physical location while
enrolled in classes (where they are physically located while taking classes), regardless of the delivery method (on
campus, online). At the beginning of every semester and whenever physical location changes, students must
update or verify their current location through banner
https://ssb-prod.ec.ulm.edu/PROD/bwgkogad.P_SelectAtypUpdate. Students should do this by the end of the
first week of classes.

COVID Information

Thank you for setting a great example for our students. Your commitment to following
mask mandate and social distancing guidelines has played a significant role in the
reduction of the spread of the COVID virus at ULM.

Due to present circumstances, ULM students, employees, and guests should continue to
follow current CDC guidelines by requiring masking and social distancing in all
classrooms and buildings throughout campus.

Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of frequent hand-washing, available hand

sanitizer, masks, and testing opportunities.

As this is an ever-changing situation, please continue to monitor university

communication. For more information click here.
 IX. Tentative Course Schedule
Instructor-in-Charge: Dr. K.N. Baer
Telephone: 342-1698
Email: baer@ulm.edu
Office/Hours: 258 Sugar Hall/8:00 am to 10:00 am M-F
B. Schedule: (The instructor reserves the right to adjust the schedule as needed)
Date Major Topics Assigned Reading

1-10 Introduction/History/Issues - Rachel Carson Video Chapter 1

1-12 Introduction/History/Issues – Chemical Conundrum video
1-14 Perspectives/ How chemicals enter the environment - Chem Risk video
1-17 MLK Day- No Class
1-19 Life-cycle assessment video
1-21 Major classes of pollutants Chapter 2
1-24 Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products
1-26 Homo Toxicus video
1-28 Exam 1
1-31 Clean Water Act/TMDLs
2-2 Nonpoint source pollution
2-4 Nonpoint source pollution - Video
2-7 Toxicology Department LDEQ/EPA grants
2-9 Toxicology Department LDEQ/EPA grants
2-11 TIE/TRE
2-14 Bioaccumulation Chapters 3-5
2-16 How Chemicals Move Through Soil Video
2-18 Paths of Pollution video
2-21 Exam 2
2-23 Fate of heavy metals
2-25 Environmental mercury
2-28 Mardi Gras Break – No Class
3-2 Mardi Gras Break – No Class
3-4 Fate of organic pollutants Chapter 9
3-7 Ecotoxicity testing - diluter video
3-9 Ecotoxicity testing
3-11 Bioindicators - Peptide video Chapter 6-8
3-14 In Situ Biomonitoring
3-16 Case Study
3-18 Case Study
3-21 Exam 3
3-23 Population dynamics Chapter 10
3-25 Amphibian declines
3-28 Endocrine disruption
3-30 Changes in communities and ecosystems Chapters 11-12
4-1 Genetically modified foods
4-4 Current Issues – Environmental Research
4-6 Climate Change – Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee
4-8 Exam 4
4-11 Environmental Risk Assessment - Mr. Shannon Banks Chapters 13
4-13 Environmental Risk Assessment - Mr. Shannon Banks
4-15 to 4-22 Spring Break – No Class
4-25 Environmental Justice
4-27 Current Issues - Videos
4-29 Current Issues - Videos
5-2 Race to Save the Planet - video
5-9 Final Exam 8:00AM to 10:00AM

Drop Date 3/21

Emergency Evacuation Plan

Meet in grassed
courtyard behind
building