Program of Study
The Graduate Program in Toxicology offers a flexible program of study depending on a student’s area of interest and future professional goals. Our Program’s course curriculum is designed to provide essential core knowledge in the basic principles of toxicology, pathology, pharmacology and biostatistics, together with elective courses that offer students the opportunity to specialize in one of many areas of basic and applied toxicology.
Students in the Molecular and Mechanistic Toxicology Track complete the GPILS Core Course in Mechanisms of Biomedical Science: From Genes to Diseases, TOXI 601 Advanced Environmental Toxicology I and GPLS 623 Molecular Toxicology, in addition to courses in pathology, pharmacology and statistics. Electives may be chosen from a broad range of GPILS advanced courses in areas such as cancer biology, developmental neurobiology, and advanced molecular biology.
Students in our Toxicology and Environmental Health Track complete TOXI 601 and 602 Advanced Environmental Toxicology I & II, PREV 668 Environmental and Occupational Health, and TOXI 611 Exposure Risk and Public Health. In addition to courses in pathology, pharmacology and statistics, students may also choose from electives in forensic toxicology, molecular epidemiology, aquatic toxicology, risk assessment and environmental law.
In addition to coursework, students are also complete three research rotations in faculty laboratories. A faculty advisor will guide students in their selection of courses and choice of research rotations. The research rotations will begin at the end of the student’s first semester and are 
designed to engage students in research early in their training to help them choose their primary area of research interest and their thesis mentor. By the end of their second year, students will have established their dissertation research committee and completed a written comprehensive exam prepared for them by their dissertation committee. The final step for a student’s advancement to candidacy for the PhD degree is the preparation and successful oral defense of the student’s thesis proposal.
As PhD candidates, students focus on advancing their specific research work, complete advanced courses if necessary, and continue to participate in program journal clubs and seminars. Students will meet with their dissertation research faculty members individually and as a group on a regular basis to receive guidance on their research and professional development.