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Toxicology of Pesticides (11:370:352)

View Syllabus (174k PDF)

  1. Semester: Spring, odd years
  2. Period: M, W2 (10:55 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.)
  3. Next Offered: Spring 2021
  4. Credits: 3
  5. Format: Lectures
  6. Pre-requisites and Other Registration Restrictions: 11:119:101-102, General Biology; 01:160: 307 or 308, one term of Organic Chemistry; 11 370 381, Insect Biology; and consent of instructor.
  7. Text: TBA; papers from the current literature; the course will be posted on a Rutgers Canvas website.

Description

This course is not a practical control and spray applications course. You will not learn what, how much, or when to spray something to control and insect problem. It does not deal with pollutants, i.e., compounds that are potentially toxic because they accidentally occur in the wrong places at the wrong times. The main objective with this course is to provide a clear comprehensive presentation of the many compounds designed to kill specific target organisms and a clear understanding of how to use them most efficiently for their purpose and with the least detrimental effects for non-target organisms and biological systems. We have plenty to learn about HOW to use insecticides; “banning” insecticides or anything else has never yet in human history solved a single problem. This course will enable insect control professionals to make informed decisions that optimize use in specific, local situations in harmony with the abilities of insects to rapidly evolve local populations. It complements the several other courses in the Entomology department instructing about ecological, population genetic, and biological constraints and conditions for insect control. This course will include discussions about topics essential to current and future insect control efforts, such as historical use and misuse, descriptive chemistry of synthetic, “natural”, botanical, and microbial insecticidal molecules; salient features of their molecular structures explaining their metabolism and mode of action; the interaction between insecticides, other pesticides and commercial synergists; evolution of insecticide resistance; role of insecticides in IPM programs; environmental effects; the need for developing and using insecticides in efforts to minimize insect-vectored virus epidemics or livestock epizootics.

Learning Goals

Student Learning Assessment

Item Percent of Grad
6 online quizzes 90%
Lecture attendance 10%

Assessment of student achievement

Roles of the instructor in helping students achieve learning objectives

The Entomology Courses of Study Committee will regularly review the structure and content of the course and the feedback received from assessments and surveys. These reviews will be used to provide the best possible education to students that meet current needs for professionals in entomology. The course content and format will be modified to improve learning effectiveness.

Rutgers’ Academic Integrity: Rutgers’ Academic Integrity guidelines can be found at http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu and will be adhered to in this course.

Academic Integrity Policy at Rutgers University requires every student to:

Instructor

Dr. L. B. Brattsten
lb.brattsten@rutgers.edu
Thompson Hall, Room 133
848-932-8166, 732-921-0131
Office Hours: by appointment