PHA3800 Fundamentals of toxicology
Faculty of Science
PHA3800 Fundamentals of toxicology is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 3 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Overview
Toxicology is the biological, chemical and pharmacological study of poisons. This unit presents the broad science of contemporary toxicology to facilitate the understanding of the principles and mechanisms of the action of poisons on specific organ systems. It examines the response of each body system to poisons and the specific effects of a wide range of toxic agents - from pesticides to radiation. In addition sources of toxins, toxicokinetics, toxicity testing and risk assessment are studied to enable you to understand how to predict and eliminate the potential risk of toxicity to humans and animals. The topics are organized into several thematic chapters which include general principles of toxicology, dispositions of toxicants, non-organ-directed toxicology, target organ toxicity, toxic agents, environmental toxicology and applications of toxicology.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Topic-based investigationProject10%
- Practical worksDemonstration30%
- Oral presentationPresentation10%
- Final assessment - Exam (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand the basic principles of toxicology, risk assessments of general toxicants, and the behavioural mechanisms of various toxicants targeting different organ systems in order to propose appropriate safety precautions;
- 2
Understand the general toxicokinetics and biotransformation of xenobiotics in whole organisms, as well as how toxic agents alter genetic materials and growth development that may affect different stages of carcinogenesis;
- 3
Critically evaluate the adverse effects of chemicals, metals, radioactive materials, and animal and plant toxins on living organisms;
- 4
Demonstrate an understanding towards the application of toxicology in real world scenario;
- 5
Collaborate effectively in teamwork by engaging in practical activities and investigate projects that address real world scenarios through the lens of contemporary toxicology, and communicate observations and findings in the form of written reports and presentations.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities15 hours
- Tutorials12 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Nine and three quarter hours of independent study;
- One-hour tutorial session and
- Five 3-hour practical sessions per week.
One hour of tutorial sessions will be conducted to reinforce your understanding of the lecture topic(s) of the week by going through various scenario-based questions. It also aims to deepen the knowledge of the learning topics through discussion, problem-solving, and personalized guidance.
Three hours of practical sessions to develop proficiency in wet lab techniques, data analysis and report writing. The practical sessions are in parallel with the topics delivered in this unit.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Klaassen, C.D., & Watkins, J.B. III (Eds.). (2021). Casarett & Doull's Essentials of Toxicology (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Tan Ji Wei
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Tan Ji Wei
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PHA3800?
PHA3800 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is PHA3800 offered?
In 2026, PHA3800 runs in Semester 1 at Malaysia.
Does PHA3800 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.