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 4554 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.

College Admission Requirements

Additional Links:

• Program Checksheet: is a useful-beginning-to-completion program guide for students. Please follow the link to the program checksheet below that applies to you. Your date of admission determines which program checksheet you will follow. For additional information, see Graduate Catalog, Section 9. (http://catalog.grad.usf.edu/)
• Department Specific Guidelines for Special Project, Field Experience, Comprehensive Exam
• Academic and Student Affairs:  Registration, Academic Procedures, etc.
• Tuition and Financial Aid