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Human Toxicology

Toxicology is the study of how biological, chemical, physical, and radiological agents affect living organisms and the ecosystem, and how to prevent or lessen the adverse effects of those agents. The Human Toxicology Program prepares toxicologists to identify and assess environmental exposures, identify mechanisms by which toxicants affect homeostasis or induce disease, identify interventions to prevent adverse effects, and estimate acceptable levels of exposure to protect public health.

The program is interdisciplinary, involving the Graduate College, the Carver College of Medicine, and the Colleges of Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pharmacy, and Public Health.

The Human Toxicology Program is supported by an Iowa Superfund basic research program grant that supports six research projects and seven support cores, including a training core. Human toxicology faculty members are supported by the Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, a National Institute of Environmental Health Center of Excellence.

Graduate Programs

The Human Toxicology Program offers a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in human toxicology.

Master of Science

The Master of Science in human toxicology requires a minimum of 39 s.h. of graduate credit; a thesis is required. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue a master's degree as a second degree or through part-time study, particularly those who perform toxicologists' functions in their jobs and who need additional training.

Entering students should have backgrounds in the biological, engineering, and physical sciences and should have completed courses in introductory chemistry and biology, and organic chemistry.

After entering the program, students work with their assigned mentors to choose an advisory committee, which meets at least once a semester to help the student explore his or her research interests. The committee also provides consultation on course work and research activities and serves as the committee for the final examination (thesis defense).

The Human Toxicology Program is flexible. Students work with their advisory committees to plan a course of study tailored to their individual interests and goals within the field of toxicology.

All M.S. students must successfully complete a first course in toxicology, 175:260 Environmental Toxicology (3 s.h.) or 046:214 Pharmaceutical and Chemical Toxicology (3 s.h.); and an advanced course, 175:265 Advanced Toxicology (4 s.h.).

All toxicology graduate students are required to register for 198:180 Toxicology Research Seminar each semester of their enrollment in the program.

Upon successful completion of all requirements, including the thesis and its oral defense, students are awarded a Master of Science.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in human toxicology requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. The program is designed for students with backgrounds in the biological, engineering, and physical sciences. Entering students should have solid training in science, including courses in introductory chemistry and biology, and organic chemistry; knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology is also useful. Students may remedy deficiencies by taking appropriate courses during their first year of graduate study.

Students begin the program with three 2-month rotations in the laboratories of participating faculty members, in order to identify a mentor. After the first year, the mentor assumes financial responsibility for the student. With advice from their mentors, students choose an advisory committee, which meets at least once a semester to help the student explore his or her research interests. The committee also provides consultation on course work and research activities and serves as the committee for the comprehensive examination and the final examination (dissertation defense).

The Human Toxicology Program is flexible. Students work with their advisory committees to plan a course of study tailored to their individual interests and goals within the field of toxicology.

All Ph.D. students must successfully complete a first course in toxicology, 175:260 Environmental Toxicology (3 s.h.) or 046:214 Pharmaceutical and Chemical Toxicology (3 s.h.); and an advanced course, 175:265 Advanced Toxicology (4 s.h.).

All toxicology graduate students are required to register for 198:180 Toxicology Research Seminar each semester of their enrollment in the program and to successfully complete 650:270 Principles of Scholarly Integrity within the first two years of graduate study.

After successfully completing the comprehensive examination, usually at the end of the second year of graduate study, students advance to Ph.D. candidacy. They devote all of their time to dissertation research and writing. Upon successful completion of all requirements, including the dissertation and its oral defense, students are awarded a Doctor of Philosophy.

Admission

Prospective students may apply to the program via a centralized application system; see Admissions Information on the Human Toxicology Program web site.

Completed applications should be submitted by January 15; applications submitted after that date are reviewed as they are received and are considered for any remaining openings.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Financial Support

Doctoral students in human toxicology receive stipends and tuition support from University of Iowa sources, including the Presidential Graduate Fellowship and graduate research assistantships, and from non-University sources, such as training grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Facilities

Training is conducted primarily in laboratories and teaching facilities of the departments and colleges of Human Toxicology Program faculty members. These are among the best-equipped laboratories on campus. Together with the University's central research facilities, they provide access to the most up-to-date research equipment and expertise.

Associated Courses

For course descriptions and prerequisite information, see the course listings in the College of Pharmacy (prefix 046) and Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (prefix 175) sections of the Catalog.