Environmental Health Sciences 
Environmental Toxicology and Epidemiology Training Grant - Curriculum
Supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH
Responsible Conduct of Research
All trainees -- predoctoral and pospostdoctoral -- are required to participate in training and
coursework on responsible conduct of research. This includes online certification training through
the University PEERS system as well as classroom training. This training is required regardless of
previous training.
To meet the coursework requirement for responsible conduct of research, trainees participate in
the course Research and Communication in the Environmental Health Sciences (EHS 801; 2 credits,
Fall Term). Predoctoral students are required to enroll in this course for credit, and are encouraged
to enroll in their first or second year of predoctoral training. Postdoctoral trainees and predoctoral
trainees who have been in the program are required to attend all course sessions on topics related to
responsible conduct of research, but should not enroll; instead they will be issues certificates of
training. Likewise, predoctoral trainees who need to refresh their training after four years are
required to attend all course sessions on topics related to responsible conduct of research, should
not enroll, and will be issued certificates of training for the class participation.
Predoctoral Curriculum
Predoctoral trainees specialize in either environmental molecular epidemiology or mechanistic
toxicology. Because this program aims to provide transdisciplinary research training in which
mechanistic toxicology and environmental epidemiology inform each other, predoctoral trainees are
required to take a foundation course and an advanced course in the non-specialization area. In
addition, trainees take a common core curriculum that includes coursework in translational research
and bioinformatics. The training grant course requirements described here are in addition to EHS
department course requirements.
Foundation Course in Toxicology
EHS 506 Principles of Toxicology
Principles underlying the chemical, physiological and anatomical
basis of toxicity, including dose-response relationships, toxicokinetics,
biotransformation, mechanisms of cellular injury and death, organ system
toxicity, developmental toxicology, genotoxicity, toxicogenomics, and
chemical carcinogenesis. Principles are illustrated with specific examples
of toxicity from environmental contaminants and pharmaceutical agents.
Foundation Course in Epidemiology
One (1) of the following:
EPID 503 (3) Strategies and Uses of Epidemiology
An introduction to the principles, concepts, and methods of population-based epidemiologic
research. It is intended to be the introductory course for students who are NOT majoring in
Epidemiology. The course will be divided into three primary sections. The first section will
serve as an introduction to the basic principles of epidemiology and the measures used in
epidemiology. The second section will discuss epidemiologic study design (including case-control,
cohort studies) and analysis (including bias, confounding, effect modification). The third
section will cover special topics that are important to an introductory understanding of
epidemiology (including outbreak investigations, screening, and the role of epidemiology in
public health.
EPID 601 (4) Principles and Methods in Epidemiology
A comprehensive course in the basic concepts, principles, and methods of population-based
epidemiologic research, which serves as a foundation for subsequent courses in epidemiology,
biomedical research, and quantitative methods. Class topics expand on those covered in Epid
600. Emphasis is given to study design, quantitative measures, statistical analysis, data
quality, sources of bias, and causal inference. The general approach of this course is both
theoretical and quantitative, focusing on the investigation of disease etiology and other
causal relations in public health and medicine.
Options for Advanced Coursework in Toxicology for Epidemiology Specialization
One (1) of the following:
EHS 616 Toxicologic Pathology
Chemical-induced pathologic outcomes on mammalian cells, tissues and
organs with an emphasis on methods used for investigative toxicologic
pathology; integration of toxicologic mechanisms and pathologic outcomes.
Lectures, student-led discussions and slide-reading sessions.
EHS 612 Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology
In-depth analysis of the biochemical and molecular pathways altered
in cells and organisms by exposure to environmental and therapeutic
chemicals. Topics focus on how chemicals disturb cellular processes
through interaction with cellular receptors, ion channels, transporters,
signal transduction pathways, transcription factors, metabolic pathways,
enzymes, cytoskeletal elements and other macromolecular targets. Regulation
and initiation of cell death, mediation of toxicity through redox status
and oxidative stress, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, genotoxicity and
immunotoxicology are also discussed. Readings from the current literature.
EHS 622 Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicology
Integration and analysis of scientific information to enhance understanding
and elucidate biochemical and molecular mechanisms in developmental
toxicology. Course emphasis is on student discussions of the theoretical
and practical aspects of embryology as related to biochemical, physiological
and molecular mechanisms of embryotoxicity based on readings from the
scientific literature.
EHS 623 Mechanisms of Reproductive Toxicology
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding
of molecular and cellular mechanisms of reproductive toxicity. Emphasis
is on student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic
studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.
EHS 624 Mechanisms of Neurotoxicology
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding
of molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurotoxicity. Emphasis is on
student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic
studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.
EHS625 Environment and the Immune Response
Environmental and occupational exposures to pollutants and toxicants in air, water, and food,
whether synthetic or natural, influence human health by interacting with the host's immune
system. The course will consist of detailed evaluations of papers, chosen by the students,
that explore the impact of environmental and occupational exposures on immunosuppression,
autoimmunity, or hypersensitivity.
EHS660 Genomics and Epigenomics in Environmental Health
Major components of genetic and epigenetic gene regulation, with an emphasis on mechanisms and
endpoints important for Environmental Health Sciences. Throughout the course we will emphasize
the processes of scientific discovery and analysis that are essential to our modern understanding
of molecular biology and genetics.
Options for Advanced Coursework in Epidemiology for Toxicology Specialization
One (1) of the following:
EHS608 Environmental Epidemiology
An introduction to topics in environmental epidemiology, covering major areas of current
inquiry in this field. It will convey the basic tools required to critically read the
literature and to develop appropriate study designs in light of intended applications.
Topics include lectures on methodology and major environmental exposures, discussions based
on review and critiques of current literature, and presentations by outside experts on
specific environmental epidemiology issues of current interest, followed by primary
instructor-led discussion on the paper.
EHS675 Data Analysis for Environmental Epidemiology
Introduction to non-parametric smoothing methods, such as splines, locally weighted
polynomial regression (LOESS) and generalized additive models (GAM), and focus on continuous
environmental exposure variables. It will also deal with analysis of correlated data,
including longitudinal analysis and time-series analysis that are widely used in environmental
epidemiology. It will provide an opportunity to analyze actual population data to learn how
to model environmental epidemiologic data, and is designed particularly for students who
pursue environmental epidemiologic research. R, a free software environment for statistical
computing and graphics, will be used.
EHS657 Advanced Exposure Assessment
Introduction to classical, contemporary, and cutting-edge approaches to the estimation of
human exposure to environmental and occupational agents as it relates to epidemiology studies
as well as risk science, regulatory compliance, exposure source/route apportionment, and
susceptibility factors. Qualitative and quantitative methods in exposure science will be
covered, including surrogate measures, exposure modeling, and biological markers of exposure,
in addition to statistical concepts such as exposure measurement error and efficient study design.
EHS673 Epidemiology of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Survey of classic and emerging literature describing the DOHaD paradigm from an
epidemiological perspective. Discussions will emphasize methodological issues on
DOHaD research, including study design, biases, data analyses, and scientific writing.
Bioinformatics
BIOINF-527 Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Introduction to the fundamental theories and practices of Bioinformatics and Computational
Biology via a series of integrated lectures and labs. These lectures and labs will focus on
the basic knowledge required in this field, methods of high-throughput data generation,
accessing public genome-related information and data, and tools for data mining and analysis.
The course is divided into four areas: Basics of Bioinformatics, Computational Phylogeny
(includes sequence analysis), Systems Biology and Modeling.
Translational Research
PIBS 507 Introduction to Translational Research
A survey course designed for basic scientists to gain insight into clinical research;
clinical application of basic research findings; the basic science required to reach
clinical trials; and the importance of industry, regulation, marketing, and acceptance
into medical practice, which constitutes the endpoint of translational research. Specific
topics include: medical interventions (drugs, diagnostics and devices), funding, animal
studies, FDA regulation, clinical trial design and implementation, intellectual property
and diffusion to practice. The main learning experience in PIBS 507 is to discuss the
implementation of translational research with various experts in the field, so that you
may begin to form your own understanding of what translational research is, how it can be
approached, and how the concepts can and will shape your own research career.
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