Study toxicology abroad

Toxicology program structure

It’s possible to study a bachelor’s degree in toxicology over three or four years, but these programs are rare and you probably won’t have too many to choose from. Aspiring toxicologists are more likely to study an undergraduate degree in a related field, like biochemistry or pharmacology.

If you’re interested in taking a bachelor’s degree in the US, you’ll likely follow the four four-year liberal arts model of education. You’ll work on your general education for the first two years, before majoring in toxicology or a similar subject for the final half of your degree.

Once you’ve got a relevant bachelor’s degree, you can enroll in an MSc. Master’s programs in toxicology are much easier to track down and can be taken full-time over one year or part-time over two years.

A PhD is the highest formal qualification available. These research-based programs last a minimum of three years, but some can take up to eight years to complete.

Although you’ll attend lectures, seminars, and tutorials, you’ll spend a significant amount of time in laboratories and practical workshops. You’ll be assessed through a mixture of exams, essays, laboratory work, data handling, presentations, and practical reports.

Every toxicology program looks slightly different because it includes a range of elective courses that are unique to that university. However, most institutions make it mandatory for students to take classes in the following fundamentals:

• Mechanisms of toxicity
• Measuring toxic potential
• Preventative and regulatory toxicology
• Environmental and industrial toxicology
• Biochemical toxicology
• Forensic and clinical toxicology
• Practical and professional skills for toxicologists
• Analytical techniques and numerical methods for toxicologists