Program Overview

Environmental toxicology is a relatively new discipline that is rapidly evolving to include molecular sciences, advanced analytical techniques, large data, and consideration of linkages to societies. It is a multidisciplinary field focused on the impacts of chemicals in the environment on living organisms. In our emphasis, we also consider environmental and analytical chemistry, and environmental remediation.
With the frequent development and technologies of chemicals such as pesticides and nanotechnology; new discoveries such as the effects of microplastics and stormwater on marine and freshwater organisms; established relationships between chemical exposure and effects to animals; and ongoing interactions between toxicology and our changing environment, there is much to learn and help solve.

How is this emphasis different from the Environmental Science, BS major?
Toxicology emphasis students have the same preparatory courses, required credits and basic required course structure as all Environmental Science students. The Toxicology Emphasis provides additional structure that guides students towards courses that let them acquire the same scientific and problem-solving skills as all Environmental Science graduates, though more focused in chemistry and toxicology. The core courses are sequenced so that a stronger cohort is formed and so that greater depth of knowledge can be obtained, setting students up to enter professional careers with already recognized expertise. Graduates often go directly into an environmental science career that uses the toxicology and chemistry knowledge and skills such as working for consultant companies, federal and regional governments, laboratories, or on to graduate school to further their study.

As with the general Environmental Science, BS degree, students wishing to complete an Environmental Science - Environmental Toxicology major in four years should complete the general chemistry series during their freshman year and the general biology series during their sophomore year. Prospective environmental science majors are strongly advised to take additional preparatory courses that provide a strong background in chemistry, biology, and mathematics. The preparatory courses are listed with the major; preparatory classes may also be used to fulfill GURs. All preparatory courses required for admission should be completed on a lettered or numeric grading scale, not P/NP, and must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Why Consider an Environmental Science Major with Toxicology Emphasis?
Students in the environmental toxicology emphasis are trained to assess and solve the environmental problems that affect people and animals in ways that change their health and well-being. Many different sciences are integrated in toxicology, including chemistry and biology; these sciences are used in an applied way in environmental toxicology. As an environmental toxicologist, you can consider how natural systems are impacted by rural and urban development. Expertise in environmental toxicology can also help to solve environmental problems by informing regulations and identifying where changes in human practices should be made. Environmental justice and the interaction with climate relationships are also ongoing considerations in environmental toxicology. If you want to gain quantitative, technical, and analytical skills, participate in problem-solving, and integrate many disciplines, then consider the environmental toxicology emphasis.