Toxicology of Pesticides (11:370:352)

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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

1. Knowledge of the structural diversity of compounds designed to kill insect disease vectors and competitors for human food, fiber, and shelter.
2. Understanding the mode of biochemical action of the different classes of compounds and how insects defend themselves against such compounds by molecular modifications of the target sites and by metabolism.
3. Understanding the use of insecticidal compounds in IPM control strategies and how insecticide efficacy is influenced by compounds used to control weeds and pathogenic fungi.
4. To learn the molecular structures that enable their modes of action and detoxification mechanisms, the commercial naming strategies of insecticides and the industrial strategies for discovering and devising new compounds and to appreciate their value, usefulness, limitations, and risks.

Student Learning Assessment

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

Assessment of student achievement

1. Review by the instructor of student progress with close advising and mentoring
2. Suggested continuation of entomological studies by taking other entomology courses or specialty courses in other departments

1. Participation in internships and other work tailored to career goals, assessed accordingly
2. Recording of professional placement data or professional studies

Roles of the instructor in helping students achieve learning objectives

1. Advising to assure that students are being taught in a coherent and academically rigorous way
2. Effective monitoring of student progress
3. Evaluations of the teaching effectiveness of the instructor
4. Periodic review of course requirements and content, and assessment tools by select program faculty in consultation with the office of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences dean of academic programs and/or the unit dean
5. Inform students of internship and/or employment opportunities

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:

1. Properly acknowledge and cite all use of the ideas, results, or words of others.
2. Properly acknowledge all contributors to a given piece of work.
3. Make sure that all work submitted as his or her own in a course or other academic activity is produced without the aid of unsanctioned materials or unsanctioned collaborations.
4. Obtain all data or results by ethical means and report them accurately without suppressing any results inconsistent with his or her interpretation or conclusions.
5. Treat all other students in an ethical manner, respecting their integrity and right to pursue their educational goals without interference. This requires that a student neither facilitate academic dishonesty by others nor obstruct their academic progress.
6. Uphold the canons of the ethical or professional code of the profession for which he or she is preparing.
7. Adherence to these principles is necessary in order to insure that everyone is given proper credit for his or her ideas, words, results, and other scholarly accomplishments.
8. All student work is fairly evaluated and no student has an inappropriate advantage over others.
9. The academic and ethical development of all students is fostered and the reputation of the University for integrity in its teaching, research, and scholarship is maintained and enhanced.