TOX 340 Clinical Toxicology

3 hours

This course introduces students to the basic principles of clinical toxicology. It will emphasize common drugs, poisons and chemical agents that are encountered by practicing clinical toxicologists and approaches to investigating the causes of adverse effects on the human body. Topics explored include the physiological effects of drugs and poisons, the steps in assessing the impairment of human performance caused by these agents, and how an understanding of adverse effects is used in emergency settings. Utilizing lecture, directed readings and participatory discussion, the course also introduces students to the basic methods used in the field including collecting biological samples, analytical techniques, and special problems (such as the uncertainty of reference standards used in clinical testing) commonly encountered in clinical toxicology.