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Environmental Health Sciences

Toxicology

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researcher working in laboratorymetal pieces

The study and
prevention of adverse effects on human health

 

Exposures to chemical, physical and biological agents have the potential to cause injury, disease or death. This graduate program provides training in the study of the causes and prevention of adverse consequences to human health that may result from environmental exposures.

What Do Toxicologists Do?

Toxicologists identify environmental exposures of concern, reveal mechanisms by which toxicants initiate pathological dysfunction or disease, identify interventions for the prevention of adverse effects, and estimate acceptable levels of exposure for the protection of the public health.

Toxicologists contribute their scientific expertise to society by working to formulate environmental and occupational safety standards, overseeing regulatory compliance, communicating information and discussing health implications of toxicant exposures with the public, assisting with product safety evaluation, teaching, and conducting research to identify health hazards, promote understanding of mechanisms of toxicity and investigate efficacy of interventions for toxicant exposures. Toxicologists are employed by academic, government, nonprofit and private institutions. Many of our graduates have combined their M.P.H. or M.S. degree in toxicology with a human or veterinary medicine degree.

To learn more, follow the link to the Society of Toxicology page on Careers in Toxicology.

The Program

The University of Michigan has the oldest predoctoral training program in toxicology in the USA. As a leading teaching and research institution, the University of Michigan offers a dynamic, well-funded and exciting atmosphere for graduate training in toxicology.

Based in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, the Toxicology Program offers curricula leading to a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Master of Science (M.S.), or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. A large selection of elective courses provides opportunities for specialized academic preparation.

The program facilitates interactions between students and faculty through an Annual Toxicology Symposium and a Weekly Seminar Series that incorporate presentations by invited outside speakers and University of Michigan students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members. In addition, individual laboratories or groups of researchers form journal clubs on specified topics.

Faculty members have ongoing research projects that provide opportunities for research training in molecular, biochemical, cellular, pathophysiological and epidemiological toxicology, reflecting the breadth and interactive nature of toxicological science from the molecule to human populations.

Who Should Apply?

Individuals with a background in biological, chemical, environmental or epidemiological sciences who have a desire to improve the understanding of how environmental agents impact human health should use the links to Academic Preparation and Admissions Information to learn how to prepare for an exciting, varied, challenging and rewarding Career in Toxicology {http://www.toxicology.org/publicoutreach/careerresources/careers.html}

Financial Support

For those who qualify, financial support through fellowships from the Rackham Graduate School (M.S. and Ph.D. students only), the School of Public Health (M.P.H. and M.S. students only), a Training Grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH (Ph.D. students who are citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or have legal permanent residence status in the United States), teaching assistantships, or research assistantships from faculty research grants. For additional information, follow the link to Financial Aid.

Application Procedure

Follow the links for Admissions Information, Application Materials and Contact Information.