Curriculum

The toxicology curriculum consists of several components: Core courses, electives, seminars, and research. We believe that research is the most important part of this program, with the Ph.D. degree being awarded for a dissertation that demonstrates intellectual competence. Because toxicology is highly interdisciplinary, our curriculum reflects the belief that a thorough grounding in basic sciences is indispensible. Student taking more than four years to complete the Ph.D. need earn no further credit and devote their full time to research.

Core Courses

Exemption is possible if an equivalent course has been taken elsewhere.

IND 408 Biochemistry (5 credits)
IND 409 Cell Biology (4)
IND 410 Molecular Biology & Genetics (4)
TOX 521 Biochemical Toxicology (4)
TOX 522 Organ Systems Toxicology (4)
PTH 510 Pathology (4)
PHP 403 Physiology/Pharmacology–I (3)
PHP 404 Physiology/Pharmacology–II (3)
SST 463 Biostatistics (4)
IND 501 Ethics in Research (1)

Seminar in Toxicology (TOX 558)

This seminar is designed to give the student experience in presenting scientific matter to an audience of peers, to expose the student to research areas different from their thesis research, and to assist in the development of the student’s ability to identify critical problems and ask critical questions regarding a particular research area.

The seminar must be taken four times before the thesis defense. It is offered every spring semester.

  • First year students are required to register for and attend the seminars; however, they are not required to present a seminar in that year.
  • Second-year students may present a seminar on their ongoing research.
  • Third-year students must select a seminar topic distinct from their own research area.
  • Fourth-year students must also select a seminar topic distinct from their own research, although it may be tangentially related to their own research area.

Seminar titles for 2009, as well as photographs, are shown in the student section

Electives

Of the many courses available, these are the most frequently chosen by toxicology students. Several are offered each semester. In 2008 a second elective in forensic toxicology was added, this one on forensic pathology:

TOX 501 Forensic Pathology for the Toxicologist
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Instructor: John O’Donoghue, VMD, PhD, DABT.

This seminar course introduces the discipline of forensic pathology to the toxicologist and examines the application of forensic pathology to criminal and civil investigations. Topics include introduction to systems for the medico-legal investigation of death, conduct of a forensic autopsy, investigation of criminal poisoning, investigation of accidental and suicidal poisoning, investigation of thermal and electrical fatalities, investigation of gunshot and wounds due to explosions, investigation of human and animal abuse, investigation of deaths due to impairment of respiration, the pathophysiology of death, and determination of the time of death. (Fall, even years)

A total of 6 elective credits is required, 4 of which must be selected from among the TOX courses.

TOX 493 Workplace Toxicology and Risk Assessment (2 credits)
TOX 501 Forensic Pathology for the Toxicologist (1)
TOX 530 Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology (2)
TOX 533 Neurotoxicology (1)
TOX 564 Pulmonary Toxicology (1)
TOX 592 Immunotoxicology (1)
TOX 593 Forensic Toxicology (1)
TOX 594 Molecular Biological Approaches in Toxicology (1)
TOX 597 Faculty Research Programs (0)
BCH 402 Advanced Biochemistry (4)
BPH 425 Membrane Biochemistry & Biophysics (4)
MBI 473 Immunology (3)
IND 412 Graduate Experience in Science Education (2)
IND 443 Molecular Biology of the Genome (4)
IND 447 Cellular Signalling and Transduction (4)
PTH 507 Cancer Biology (2)
PTH 593 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease (4)
NSC 512 Cellular Neuroscience (4)
BIO 402 Molecular Genetics (4)

Apply Now!

For more information and details on how to apply please visit the Office for Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.