Program Overview

Toxicology Graduate Major (MS, PhD)

The Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology provides students with a fundamental knowledge of toxicology that prepares them for responsible positions in research and development, academia, government, professional services, or research foundations.

Graduate Areas of Concentration

• Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology
  • Mechanistic toxicology
  • Molecular and cellular toxicology
  • Neurotoxicology

The graduate faculty includes scientists with a special interest in the application of chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, pathology, neuroscience, immunology, and ecology to problems in toxicology. The concentration in neurotoxicology is an interinstitutional alliance with Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Students will be affiliated with and advised by associated faculty.

Admission Requirements

Minimal prerequisites for admission include one year each of biology, organic chemistry, physics, and statistics. Students who do not meet all of these requirements may be admitted if their academic record is otherwise outstanding.

Major Code

The Major Code for the Toxicology Graduate Major is 9930.

MS Degree Requirements

• Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.

PhD Degree Requirements

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.

Curriculum and Research

For the MS and PhD degrees, students are required to take a core curriculum plus elective courses connected with their particular area of specialization. In addition to completing appropriate course work, students will undertake a thesis research project related to some aspect of toxicology. Participation in the seminar program (a one-hour per week seminar) is mandatory.