Toxicology / Risk Assessment (MPH)
This concentration area will provide a broad foundation in the biomedical sciences with general training in toxicology. The program is designed with a balanced curriculum in the areas necessary for understanding the response of organisms to chemical insult and to introduce individuals in the research approaches necessary for the evaluation of these responses. Students will be able to make decisions on the basis of available research findings on potential chemical hazards for humans and animals and to adapt to a rapidly growing body of new knowledge in toxicology.
In addition to the overall Master of Public Health degree objectives, Toxicology / Risk Assessment graduates will be able to:
- Recognize toxicological responses to chemical insult;
- Identify chemical hazards, and how their physical and chemical properties influence and interact with the environment, and in turn, the human body;
- Recognize uses and limitations of animals for toxicity testing and inferences that can be made for human health effects;
- Analyze risks associated with chemical exposures, both environmental and occupational, and methods of intervention and prevention;
- Identify pathways and pharmacological aspects of chemical exposure;
- Identify the role of toxicologists in public health, medical, environmental and industrial sectors;
- Interpret and translate research findings and apply to problems arising from chemical pollution;
- Identify various laboratory techniques to evaluate chemical, biological and radiological hazards;
- Build communication skills, both written and verbal;
- Interpret the similarities and differences in the approaches taken by other public health disciplines, and social and behavioral sciences, in the study of health-related problems; and
- Apply ethical principles guiding the conduct of research on human subjects, including principles for ethical decision-making beyond the regulatory purview of institutional review boards.
Prerequisites
- Public health course prerequisites: College requires HSC 4551 Survey of Human Diseases or comparable course for students who do not have public health or biology courses or experience.
- Suggested/preferred undergraduate majors: Sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.
- Prerequisites undergraduate courses: Courses in biology and chemistry.
- Work experience: Not required.
- Minimum undergrad GPA: 3.0. OR
- Verbal GRE score: minimum 450
- Quantitative GRE score: minimum 550
- GRE score may be substituted with an MCAT Score averaging 8 or higher.
- Other criteria: TOEFL Score (International Students) 550.
| Curriculum
or Plan of Study
Note: All courses are 3 credit hours each unless otherwise noted.
College Core Courses (15 credits)
PHC 6000 Epidemiology
PHC 6050 Biostatistics I
PHC 6102 Principles of Health Policy and Management
PHC 6357 Environmental and Occupational Health
PHC 6410 Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health
Required Concentration Courses (22 credits)
HSC 6556 Pathobiology of Human Disease I
PHC 6353 Environmental Risk Assessment (2)
PHC 6310 Environmental Occupational Toxicology
PHC 6359 Xenobiotic Metabolism in Environmental and Occupational Health
PHC 6369 Industrial Toxicology (2)
PHC 6350 Occupational Health Risk Assessment
PHC 6934 Special topics in Public Health (2)
PHC 6930 Public Health Seminar (1)
HSC 6557 Pathobiology of Human Disease II
Culminating Experiences (8 credits minimum)
PHC 6945 Supervised Field Experience
- Students with little or no professional experience: 3 hours minimum
- Students with relevant professional experience: 2 hours minimum
- Has worked as a professional in the field of toxicology for a period of at least one year constitutes the term "relevant professional experience" worthy of lesser field experience.
PHC 6977 Special Project (3)
PHC 6936 Public Health Capstone Course (3)
Concentration Exam (no credit - 2 credit hours of enrollment required)
TOTAL CREDITS: 45 minimum (including Field Experience) |
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