Program Overview

Forensic Toxicology Online Master’s Degree

The online Forensic Toxicology concentration is provided by UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. It focuses on general and advanced principles of toxicology, forensic toxicology, and drug metabolism providing a strong foundation in analytical techniques, pharmacokinetics, drug elimination and toxicology.

Who is this concentration for?

The Forensic Toxicology online graduate program may be of interest to those currently working or seeking employment in the following areas:

• Crime laboratories
• Medical examiners' offices
• Police departments
• Criminal defense firms
• Prosecution attorneys' offices
• Hospital and clinical chemistry labs
• Pharmaceutical companies
• High school science programs

Degree Completion

Upon completion of this online program, graduates will earn a Master of Science in Veterinary Medical Sciences and a concentration in Forensic Toxicology issued by the Graduate School of the University of Florida. The transcripts will read Master of Science, graduation date, major Veterinary Medical Sciences, concentration Forensic Toxicology. The diploma will read Master of Science issued by the Graduate School.

Course Progression

Core-Required Courses

The following are the core-required courses for the program: | Course # | Course Title | Credits | Spring | Summer | Fall | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | VME 6613 | Forensic Toxicology I | 3 | ✓ | | ✓ | | VME 6614 | Forensic Toxicology II | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | | | VME 6766 | Laboratory QA/QC | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | VME 6602 | General Toxicology | 3 | ✓ | | ✓ | | PHA 6425 | Drug Biotransformations & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity | 3 | ✓ | | ✓ | | VME 6605 | Toxic Substances | 3 | ✓ | | ✓ | Core courses must be completed before the final semester and should be completed before the required courses.

Required Courses

The following are the required courses for the program: | Course # | Course Title | Credits | Spring | Summer | Fall | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | VME 6650 | Principles of Mammalian Pharmacology | 4 | | ✓ | ✓ | | PHA 6713 | Applied Statistics for Data Analysis in Pharmaceutical and Forensic Science | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | VME 6582 | Introduction to Forensic Medicine I | 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | VME 6604 | Literature Survey of Forensic Toxicology | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | VME 6934 | Special Topics in Forensic Toxicology (online using Honorlock) | 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Required Courses can be taken in any order and any semester prior to the final semester.

Final Term Courses

The following are the final term courses for the program: | Course # | Course Title | Credits | Spring | Summer | Fall | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | VME 6604 | Literature Survey of Forensic Toxicology | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | VME 6934 | Special Topics in Forensic Toxicology (online using Honorlock) | 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Literature Survey and Special Topics must be taken in the final semester.

Elective Courses

The following are the elective courses for the program: | Course # | Course Title | Credits | Spring | Summer | Fall | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | PHA 6850 | Principles of Forensic Science | 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | PHA 6861 | Introduction to Forensic Medicine 2 | 4 | ✓ | | ✓ | Elective courses can be taken in addition to the previous 32 credits. They can be taken before graduation or completed in the final semester. These courses are not required and can be taken in any order.

Recommended Course Order

The following is a recommended course order for students pursuing an online master’s degree in forensic toxicology:

• Forensic Toxicology I must be taken before Forensic Toxicology II. Laboratory QAQC should be taken following successful completion of Forensic Toxicology 1 and must be completed prior to starting the final semester in the program.
• General Toxicology is recommended before Drug Biotransformation & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity and Toxic Substances.
• Introduction to Forensic Medicine 1 must be taken before Introduction to Forensic Medicine 2.
• Applied Statistics for Data Analysis can be taken any time prior to the final semester.
• Special Topics and Literature Surveys must be completed in the final semester.
• The University of Florida requires that students are registered for the following number of credits during the term they are graduating: Summer term: 2 credit hours; Fall/Spring term: 3 credit hours. Since the Special Topics course is only 1 credit, students will need to be sure they meet the credit requirement as noted above. It is strongly recommended that students only register for literature survey and special topics in their final term; if students need to register for an additional class due to financial aid or other circumstances, they should contact the program advisor. All core required classes must be completed in the terms prior to the final semester.