Program
Toxicology Program
The Toxicology program offers two degrees:
MS, Toxicology
PhD, Toxicology
Toxicology, Master of Science Program
Learning Objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of the Master of Science program in Toxicology, students should be able to:
- Define the major classes of toxicants present in the environment and the workplace,
- Understand how toxicants interact with biological systems and the mechanisms by which they elicit adverse effects in humans and other organisms,
- Recognize sources and modes of exposure to toxic agents,
- Understand the process by which the risk of adverse effects is assessed,
- Find and interpret information on toxicological issues in the literature,
- Analyze toxicological issues and identify significant data gaps concerning health effect of environmental chemicals;
- Formulate hypotheses and design experiments to test such hypotheses aimed at advancing knowledge on toxicological issues,
- Organize data and information, prepare written reports and give oral presentations on toxicological aspects of environmental health, and
- Use toxicological knowledge to solve issues related to the assessment of risk related to environmental or occupational exposures.
Program Curriculum and Course Requirements
Master of Science Core Courses
| Course # | Course Name | Credits Required | Quarter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIOST 511 or 517 or higher[1] | Medical Biometry I or Applied Biost. I | 4 | A (511, 517) | |
| EPI 511 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 4 | A | |
| ENV H 580 | Environmental & Occupational Health Seminar | 3 | A, W, Sp | |
| ENV H 581 | Environmental Health Reading I | 1 | A | |
| ENV H 583 | Environmental Health Reading III | 1 | Sp | |
| ENV H 700 | Master's Thesis | 9 | A, W, Sp, Su | |
| [1] HIgher level Biostatistics and Epidemiology courses can be substituted for BIOST 511 or 517, and EPI 511. | ||||
Toxicology MS Required Courses
| Course # | Course Name | Credits Required | Quarter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV H 514, 515, 516 | Environmental and Occupational Toxicology I, II, III | 3, 3, 3 | A, W, Sp | |
| ENV H 552 | Environmental Chemistry of Pollution | 4 | W | |
| ENV H 577 | Risk Assessment for Environ. Health Hazards | 3/4 | A | |
| BIOC 405,406 OR BIOC 440, 441,442 | Intro. to Biochem I, II OR Biochemistry I, II, III | 3, 3 OR 4, 4, 4 | A, W OR A, W, Sp | |
| ENV H 700 [1] | Master's Thesis | 9 | A, W, Sp, Su | |
| [1] In addition to the specified core and required courses, students must choose one course in Industrial Hygiene OR one course in Occupational Medicine. Suggested courses: ENV H 453, 553, 556, 564, 570, 584. | ||||
Toxicology MS Elective Courses [1]
| Course # | Course Name | Credits | Quarter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV H 511 | Environmental and Occupational Health | 3 | W | |
| ENV H 513 | Basic Concepts in Pharmacogenetics and Toxicogenomics | 3 | W | |
| ENV H 517 | Children's Environmental Health | 3 | Sp | |
| ENV H 531 | Neurotoxicology | 3 | W (even yrs) | |
| ENV H 532 | Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology | 2 | Su (even yrs) | |
| ENV H 533 | Molecular Toxicology | 2 | W (odd yrs) | |
| ENV H 553 | Environmental Exposure Monitoring Methods | 4 | W | |
| ENV H 555 | Instrumental Methods for Ind. Hygiene Measurement (Lab) | 3 | Sp | |
| ENV H 567 | Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis | 3 | A (even yrs) | |
| ENV H 570 | Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology | 3 | Sp | |
| ENV H 584 | Occupational and Env Health: Policy and Politics | 3 | Sp | |
| ENV H 591 | Current Topics in Toxicology | 1, max. 6 | A, W, Sp | |
| BIOL 411 | Developmental Biology | 4 | A, W, Sp* | |
| BIOST 521 | Biostatistics for Experimentalists | 4 | * | |
| C MED 407 | Principles of Animal Experimentation | 3 | A* | |
| C MED 590 | Selected Topics in Animal Medicine | 2-5, max. 10 | AWSpS | |
| IMMUN 441 | Introduction to Immunology | 4 | A* | |
| MICROM 442 | Medical Bacteriology | 4 | W* | |
| PATH 544 | General and Systemic Pathology | 2-3, max. 5 | * | |
| PATH 555 | Environmental Pathology | 3 | Sp (odd yrs)* | |
| P BIO 505, 506 | Human Physiology I, II | 4,4 | A, W * | |
| P BIO 507 | Cardiovascular, Renal, Respiratory Physiology | 3 | W* | |
| PHCOL 401, 402 | General Pharmacology I, II | 2-4, 3/4 | A, W, Sp* | |
| [1] Toxicology students who take the two-quarter Biochemistry series (405, 406) must have an additional nine graded elective credits. Students who choose the three-quarter Biochemistry series (440, 441, 442) must have an additional three graded elective credits. Electives must be approved by the student's academic advisor. * Course schedules are subject to change. Please check the UW Time Schedule or contact the department to confirm quarters offered. | ||||
Typical Schedule
First Year
| Autumn Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter | Summer Quarter [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENV H 514 Tox I | ENV H 515 Tox II | ENV H 516 Tox III | ENV H 700 Master's Thesis and/or internship with industry or a regulatory agency | |
| ENV H 580 EOH Seminar | ENV H 580 EOH Seminar | ENV H 580 EOH Seminar | ||
| ENV H 581 EH Reading | BIOC 441 Biochem OR BIOC 406 Intro Biochem II | ENV H 583 EH Reading | ||
| BIOC 440 Biochem OR BIOC 405 Intro Biochem I | BIOC 442 Biochem | |||
| Electives (4-6) | ||||
| Electives (3-6) | ||||
| BIOST 511 OR 517 Medical Biometry I or Applied Biostat I or ENV H 577 Risk Assessment | ||||
| [1] Registration during the summer while serving as an intern is not required, and ordinarily academic credit is not awarded for the internship. In special cases, however, credit for the internship may be earned through ENV H 599A, Field Studies. See academic advisor for more details. Students receiving support during the summer quarter must be registered for at least 2 credit hours. | ||||
Second Year
| Autumn Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter |
|---|---|---|
| ENV H XXX IH or Occ Med | ENV H 552 Env Chemistry | ENV H 700 Thesis |
| EPI 511 Intro to Epidemiology | ENV H 700 Thesis | |
| BIOST 511 OR 517 Medical Biometry I or Applied Biostat I or ENV H 577 Risk Assessment |
Toxicology, Doctor of Philosophy Program
Learning objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of the Doctor of Philosophy program in Toxicology, students should be competent in all areas of Toxicology expected of Master of Science students, as noted above. In addition, they should be able to:
- Conceive, develop and conduct original research leading to significant advances in the knowledge of mechanisms of toxic action or in the assessment of risk deriving from exposure to toxicants
- Apply advanced methodology to research projects in environmental health and develop new research methods to address environmental or occupational health problems
- Demonstrate written and oral skills by preparing papers and presentations for peer scientists and the community at large.
Program Curriculum and Course Requirements
PhD Toxicology students are required to complete the PhD core courses, the Toxicology Required courses, and twelve elective credits.
Doctor of Philosophy Core Courses
| Requirement | Courses | Minimum Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Sciences | BIOC 440, 441, 442 | 12 |
| Biostatistics | BIOST 512 or 518 or higher | 4 |
| Epidemiology | EPI 511 or higher | 3 |
| Environmental & Occupational Health Seminar | ENV H 580 | 6 |
| Dissertation | ENV H 800 | 27 |
| Lab Rotations[1] | ENV H 595 | 6-9 |
| [1] Two rotations required with previous relevant master's degree, three otherwise. | ||
Toxicology PhD Required Courses
| Requirement | Courses | Minimum Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Toxicology Core Sequence | Environmental & Occupational Toxicology I, II, III (ENV H 514,515,516) | 9 |
| Toxicology Journal Club[1] | Current Topics in Toxicology (ENV H 591) | 9 |
| [1] Of the nine credits (minimum) of Current Topics courses, at least six credits have to be in ENV H 591 (Current Topics in Toxicology). The other credits can be chosen among other Current Topics courses offered by the Department of Environmental Health or other departments, with approval by student's advisory committee. | ||
| Advanced Toxicology[2] | Variable | 6 |
| [2] The three courses in Advanced Toxicology may be chosen among those offered by the department's Toxicology program or other appropriate courses offered by other departments (e.g. Pharmacology, Pathology, and Medicinal Chemistry). | ||
| Physiology | Variable | 3 |
| Electives[3] | Variable | 12 |
| [3] Of the four courses (minimum) described as electives, two must be departmental courses, and the other two may be taken outside of the department. For the two departmental courses, choose from any of the non-Toxicology programs (Industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health, or Occupational Medicine). Selections should minimally reflect electives from at least two of these programs. All elective courses must be approved by the student's advisory committee. New elective courses must be taken if continuing from a UW MS program. | ||
