Toxicology

ToxicologyThe field of toxicology identifies environmental and therapeutic exposures of concern, reveals mechanisms by which exposures create pathological dysfunction or disease, identifies interventions for the prevention of adverse effects, conducts safety assessments, and estimates acceptable levels of exposure for the protection of the public's health. The major goal of toxicology is to ensure that the products and chemicals that we use are safe for people and the environment.

Graduates of our program are well positioned to work at the front lines of public health in positions in research, government, the pharmaceutical industry, product safety evaluation, public service, health policy, and regulatory affairs.  Recent graduates of our program have found employment in federal agencies as scientists and regulators; in academic institutions as professors and researchers; in industry as safety study directors and scientific consultants; as professionals in chemical and environmental risk assessment; and in many other interesting and important positions.

The department offers and Master of Science (MS) and Doctoral of Philosophy (PhD) in Toxicology. 

Toxicologists assist with product safety evaluations, conduct research to identify health hazards, and investigate efficacy of interventions for toxicant exposures. In many ways toxicology is the true translational science because it allows those who work in the field to extend their expertise and contributions for improvement of health outcomes from molecular mechanistic research to the clinic and beyond, by setting and enforcing health policies regulating the safety of drugs and consumer products.

As the oldest predoctoral toxicology training program in the country at a leading teaching and research institution, the EHS Toxicology Program provides a dynamic, well-funded, and exciting atmosphere for graduate training.  A broad selection of elective courses provides opportunities for specialized academic preparation.

Many of our graduates have combined their degrees in toxicology with human or veterinary medicine degrees, urban planning, policy, sustainability, and many other important disciplines.