Requirements for a Minor Degree in Toxicology and Environmental Health

To satisfy the minor, complete three core subjects, one Laboratory Core subject,  and one Restricted Elective.

The prerequisites are already required for graduation from M.I.T.:

5.11: Principles of Chemical Science OR  3.091: Introduction to Solid State Chemistry 

AND 7.012/3/4: Introductory Biology.

CORE SUBJECTS

Choose three from among:

BE.102
Macroepidemiology
Analyses of major causes of mortality in the US since 1900: cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, infectious diseases. Analytical models to derive estimates for historically variant population risk factors and physiological rate parameters. Analysis of familial data to separately estimate inherited and environmental risks. Basic population genetics of dominant, recessive, and non-deleterious inherited risk factors.

BE.103
Introduction to Physiological Modeling
Introduction to organ anatomy and physiology in terms of structure and function from a quantitative engineering perspective. Subject provides a quantitative understanding of how chemical and environmental agents are able to affect tissue or organ function. Specifically, these effects are analyzed in terms of tissue-level mechanism including molecular transport, metabolism, and effects on cell function. Subject provides a problem-oriented perspective on organ function, which integrates toxicology, pharmacology, and bioengineering.

BE.104J (1.081J, ESD.053J)
Chemicals in the Environment: Toxicology and Public Health
The challenges of defining a relationship between exposure to environmental chemicals and human disease are illustrated in case studies of local and national interest. Material covers epidemiological approaches to understanding disease causation; evaluation of human exposure to chemicals, and their internal distribution, metabolism, reactions with cellular components, and biological effects; and review of methods underlying regulatory standards, including use of animals.

BE.105J (5.22J, 10.02J)
Biotechnology and Engineering
Illustrates how the principles of chemistry, biology, and engineering are integrated to create new products for human health and consumption. Uses case-study format to examine recently developed products of pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries: how a product evolves from initial idea, through patents, testing, evaluation, production, and marketing. Emphasizes scientific and engineering principles, as well as the responsibility scientists, engineers, and business executives have for the consequences of their technology. Enrollment limited.

BE.106
Infectious Agents and the Environment
Introductory microbiology from a systems perspective, with consideration of microbial diversity, population dynamics, and genomics. Emphasis on the delicate balance between microbes and humans, and changes that result in the emergence of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Case study approach covers topics such as vaccines, toxins, biodefense, and infections including Legionnaire’s disease, tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori, and plague.

LABORATORY CORE SUBJECT
Choose one from among:

BE.109
Laboratory Fundamentals in Biological Engineering
Experimental approaches to understanding the biological effects of environmental chemicals and microorganisms. Analysis of complex chemical mixtures; cellular toxicity and mutations; genetic factors in disease susceptibility; and methods for assessing low-level infectious agents.

7.02
Introduction to Experimental Biology
As an introduction to techniques in biochemistry, microbiology, and cell biology, this subject prepares students to design, carry out, and interpret results of laboratory experiments.

5.310
Laboratory Chemistry
This subject provides an introduction to experimental chemistry, including preparation and analysis of materials, chromatography, spectroscopy, data analysis, and elementary synthesis.

RESTRICTED ELECTIVES

Choose one from among:

BE.901 Special Topics in Toxicology and Environmental Health
BE.URG Special Projects in Undergraduate Research
1.080 Environmental Chemistry & Biology
1.725J (ESD.151J) Chemicals in the Environment: Fate and Transport
1.89 Environmental Microbiology
5.07Biological Chemistry
7.05 General Biochemistry
7.06 Cell Biology
7.28 Molecular Biology
12.807 (5.23) Atmospheric Chemistry
17.32 Environmental Politics and Policy

top