BIO 113 - The Biology of Poison, Murder, and Mayhem

The goal of the course is to introduce the non-science major to the basic principles of toxicology. Poisons have been used over the course of human history for a variety of good and evil purposes. The content of the course will include a survey of toxic chemicals, health effects of toxic agents, principles of absorption and the chemical and biological factors that affect toxicity. Special emphasis will be given to the impact of toxins on human health and the use of toxins as instruments of violence. Applied disciplines of toxicity, forensic toxicology, biological warfare, mutagenesis, reproductive and developmental toxicology will also be discussed. Two hours of lecture and two hours of lab per week.
Lecture
Credits: 3
Offered in the Spring Semester