Core Courses

Principles of Toxicology (EHS 506)
Principles underlying the chemical, physiological and anatomical basis of toxicity, including dose-response relationships, toxicokinetics, biotransformation, mechanisms of cellular injury and death, organ system toxicity, developmental toxicology, genotoxicity, toxicogenomics, and chemical carcinogenesis. Principles are illustrated with specific examples of toxicity from environmental contaminants and pharmaceutical agents.

Toxicology Research Analysis and Presentation (EHS 628)
Presentations of research topics from current literature by first year students, with the aim of developing skills for interpreting and communicating scientific information in a seminar format. Advisors assist in selection and preparation for the presentation. The requirement for this course will be waived if a trainee gives a seminar in his or her home department during the first year in the program and notifies the director of the training program in advance of the seminar.

Introduction to Biostatistics (or equivalent) (BIOSTAT 503)
Fundamental statistical concepts related to the practice of public health: descriptive statistics; probability; sampling; statistical distributions; estimation; hypothesis testing; chi-square tests; simple and multiple linear regression; one-way ANOVA. Use of computer in statistical analysis.

Two of the Following Biomedical Science Courses

Molecular Genetics (HUMGEN 541)
Fundamental and current research methods for analysis of gene structure and gene expression based on classic and current papers of molecular genetics, including: positive and negative regulation of transcription, mRNA splicing and turnover; DNA recombination, repair and transposition in relation to cancer, evolution and mutagenesis; strategies for developmental regulation; and genetic engineering.

Protein Structure and Function (BIOLCHEM 550)
Relationship of protein structure to various aspects of protein function; general introduction to three-dimensional protein structure including discussion of structure determination methods and forces in protein structure and stability; binding and allosterism; enzyme catalysis; protein-nucleic acid interaction, signal transduction and membrane proteins.

Cell Biology (CDB 530)
Membranes, protein synthesis, protein folding, protein trafficking, epithelial polarity,
cytoskeleton, cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, and signal transduction.

One of the Following Courses in Physiology/Pathology

Toxicologic Pathology (EHS 616)
Chemical-induced pathologic outcomes on mammalian cells, tissues and organs with an emphasis on methods used for investigative toxicologic pathology; integration of toxicologic mechanisms and pathologic outcomes. Lectures, student-led discussions and slide-reading sessions.

Systems and Integrated Physiology (PHYSIOL 510)
Basic principles of physiological regulatory systems and integration among the systems that enable them to function as a coordinated unit, emphasizing the experimental basis for current understandings.

General Pathology for Biomedical Scientists (PATH 580)
Survey of major diseases.

One of the Following Courses in Biochemical Mechanisms of Xenobiotic Action

Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology (EHS 612)
In-depth analysis of the biochemical and molecular pathways altered in cells and organisms by exposure to environmental and therapeutic chemicals. Topics focus on how chemicals disturb cellular processes through interaction with cellular receptors, ion channels, transporters, signal transduction pathways, transcription factors, metabolic pathways, enzymes, cytoskeletal elements and other macromolecular targets. Regulation and initiation of cell death, mediation of toxicity through redox status and oxidative stress, mechanisms of carcinogenesis, genotoxicity and immunotoxicology are also discussed. Readings from the current literature.

Cancer Biology (PATH 553)
Carcinogenesis, cancer progression, tumor pathology, oncogenes, cellular growth control, tumor suppressor genes, oncogenic viruses, apoptosis, tumor immunology, clinical oncology, and therapeutics, with an emphasis on the relationship between basic science and clinical aspects of cancer.

Radiation Biology (EHS 583)
Integration of current knowledge about radiation effects on mammals; mechanisms of radiogenic cancer; radiation-induced DNA damage, DNA repair and apoptosis; radiation therapy.

Seminars in Receptor Pharmacology (PHRMACOL 610)
Principles of drug action at receptors and modern receptor theory, with strong emphasis on reading and discussion of current literature.

Signal Transduction (BIOLCHEM/PHRMACOL/PHYSIOL 576)
Hormone and neurotransmitter receptors and cellular effectors that are regulated by receptor activation; oncogene products as signal transducers; interaction of known signaling pathways; techniques used to study signal transduction; and experimental strategies employing these techniques. Strong emphasis on reading and discussion of current literature.

One of the Following Courses in Mechanisms of Mammalian Toxicology

Mechanisms of Endocrine Toxicology and Hormone Metabolism (EHS 620)
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms of endocrine toxicity. Emphasis is on student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.

Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis (EHS 621)
Analysis and integration of genetic, molecular and cellular factors involved in mechanisms of carcinogenesis. These factors and their interactions with the environment are applied to hypothesis building and testing, risk assessment and management using breast cancer as a model for study.

Mechanisms of Developmental Toxicology (EHS 622)
Integration and analysis of scientific information to enhance understanding and elucidate biochemical and molecular mechanisms in developmental toxicology. Course emphasis is on student discussions of the theoretical and practical aspects of embryology as related to biochemical, physiological and molecular mechanisms of embryotoxicity based on readings from the scientific literature.

Mechanisms of Reproductive Toxicology (EHS 623)
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms of reproductive toxicity. Emphasis is on student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.

Mechanisms of Neurotoxicology (EHS 624)
Analysis and integration of scientific information to enhance understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurotoxicity. Emphasis is on student discussion of theoretical and practical aspects of mechanistic studies based on assigned reading from the scientific literature.