Program Overview

PhD in Toxicology

The PhD in Toxicology program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has a national and international reputation for quality. The program focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of therapeutic agents, industrial chemicals, and environmental toxins.

About the Program

The program trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators in molecular and environmental toxicology. Students will be trained in the labs of top-tier scientists and will have access to research opportunities that cover the breadth of toxicology.

Admissions Requirements

• A completed Graduate School application and $50.00 application fee (Domestic) $75.00 application fee (International)
• A baccalaureate degree of arts or science from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0
• One (1) official transcript of all academic work completed to date with awarded baccalaureate degree
• University transcripts from other countries must include a transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation from professors or research supervisors familiar with the applicant's aptitude for graduate study
• The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required but is optional
• The TOEFL is required of applicants for whom English is not their first language, Duolingo and IELTS also accepted

Tuition and Financial Aid

All PhD students in good academic standing are guaranteed financial support. Stipend, tuition, and fees for graduate studies in the School of Pharmacy are the sole responsibility of the student. Payment of stipend, tuition, and any fees by the School of Pharmacy or by grants, contracts, or gifts to the School of Pharmacy faculty is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress.

Expected Outcomes

The PhD program in toxicology trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:

1. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the biomedical sciences
2. Understand the current concepts in toxicology
3. Read and critically evaluate the scientific literature
4. Generate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field, then design, conduct, and interpret their own research projects
5. Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues
6. Present research results in national meetings, peer-reviewed publications, and in a dissertation
7. Write a grant proposal

Mission and Goals

The objective of the toxicology graduate program at the University of Colorado is to educate pre-doctoral students to develop independent research careers in molecular and environmental toxicology. Upon completion of the toxicology graduate program, students will receive a PhD degree in toxicology and utilize their training in academia, industry, or government.

Graduation Requirements and Process

The following are specific rules approved by the graduate faculty of the School of Pharmacy for graduate studies leading to a doctor of philosophy degree in toxicology:

• A program of study with required core courses will be designed by the chair of the temporary/permanent advisory committee
• A minimum of 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of courses numbered 5000 or above is required for the degree
• Research rotations, seminars, preliminary examination, comprehensive examination, thesis proposal, thesis research, and final examination are required

Toxicology Faculty

The faculty members have primary appointments in the School of Pharmacy, the School of Medicine, the Webb-Waring Antioxidant Research Institute, the National Jewish Medical Center, or the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.

Current Toxicology Students

Students in the program come from diverse backgrounds and have various research interests.

Graduate Program Courses

A list of graduate program courses is available, including toxicology graduate courses.