2024
Chemistry and Health
Name: Chemistry and Health
Code: QUI14163L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Chemistry
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
To provide:
- fundamental knowledge about the main chemicals that affect health, their nature, mechanisms of action and effects caused by these products and their residues on individuals, populations and ecosystems;
- understanding of integrating concepts, processes and methods that allow the resolution of practical problems related to the safety and impact of the most common chemicals and the evaluation of their effects on health;
- skills to collect, interpret and discuss relevant scientific information, and communicate scientific ideas and technical information organized in a coherent and logical way on subjects within the scope of the course;
- ability to select and apply methodologies in experimentation on subjects within the course;
- ability to apply such knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities in solving similar qualitative or quantitative problems and in oral and written communication.
- fundamental knowledge about the main chemicals that affect health, their nature, mechanisms of action and effects caused by these products and their residues on individuals, populations and ecosystems;
- understanding of integrating concepts, processes and methods that allow the resolution of practical problems related to the safety and impact of the most common chemicals and the evaluation of their effects on health;
- skills to collect, interpret and discuss relevant scientific information, and communicate scientific ideas and technical information organized in a coherent and logical way on subjects within the scope of the course;
- ability to select and apply methodologies in experimentation on subjects within the course;
- ability to apply such knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities in solving similar qualitative or quantitative problems and in oral and written communication.
Contents
Health and Illness.
General aspects of the organization and functioning of living beings; general mechanisms of bioenergetic and metabolic regulation of living beings.
Organism homeostasis and individual health. Adaptation and response mechanisms of living beings to chemical agents.
Nutrients, drugs, agrochemicals, biocides and toxics in general. Benefits and dangers related to chemicals.
Chemicals that heal and feed.
Main pollutants of air, water, soil and food.
Behaviour of toxics and their effects on individuals, populations and ecosystems. Transformation of toxics in the environment and in individuals.
Risks to health and to environment due to chemicals and their residues.
A new Chemistry: green, sustainable and safer.
Safety in the production, packaging, transport, storage, dispensing and use of chemicals. Applicable legislation.
General aspects of the organization and functioning of living beings; general mechanisms of bioenergetic and metabolic regulation of living beings.
Organism homeostasis and individual health. Adaptation and response mechanisms of living beings to chemical agents.
Nutrients, drugs, agrochemicals, biocides and toxics in general. Benefits and dangers related to chemicals.
Chemicals that heal and feed.
Main pollutants of air, water, soil and food.
Behaviour of toxics and their effects on individuals, populations and ecosystems. Transformation of toxics in the environment and in individuals.
Risks to health and to environment due to chemicals and their residues.
A new Chemistry: green, sustainable and safer.
Safety in the production, packaging, transport, storage, dispensing and use of chemicals. Applicable legislation.
Teaching Methods
The teaching / learning process is based on the individual work of students, supported by teaching materials provided by the teacher and the recommended bibliography. Theoretical classes (T) are exposure classes. The practical laboratory classes include the deepening and discussion of topics, and the performance of experimental work, using the planning, execution and discussion of the results of laboratory work.
The evaluation will be based on the measurement of the acquisition, understanding of knowledge and the development of skills in the various components of the discipline: the theoretical component (60%) will be assessed by exam (option for two tests); the evaluation of the laboratory component (20%) is carried out through participation in classes, in the execution of practical assignments and preparation of reports. The assessment is complemented with the realization and presentation of a monograph on a subject of the course (20%).
The evaluation will be based on the measurement of the acquisition, understanding of knowledge and the development of skills in the various components of the discipline: the theoretical component (60%) will be assessed by exam (option for two tests); the evaluation of the laboratory component (20%) is carried out through participation in classes, in the execution of practical assignments and preparation of reports. The assessment is complemented with the realization and presentation of a monograph on a subject of the course (20%).
