Environmental ToxicologyM.S. Degree - In-Person (Thesis option)

The purpose of the proposed Master of Science degree program in Environmental Toxicology is to provide an academic structure through which students receive formal classroom education and strong guidance regarding complex research problems that evaluate toxic substances that are released into the environment. Masters graduates will be qualified to fill positions in universities, colleges, governmental agencies, foundations, and industry.

Graduate Spotlight:

Jared Bockemehl, a graduate student at Texas Tech University, shares how a course in environmental science sparked his passion for toxicology and led him to join Texas Tech's unique Environmental Toxicology program.

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The objectives of the Master of Science program in Environmental Toxicology are to provide skilled researchers with background to:

• Develop and manage nationally and internationally recognized research programs which utilize the expertise of toxicologists, chemists, engineers, wildlife biologists, ecologists, statisticians and invertebrate biologists to determine the effects of environmental contaminants on humans and free-living populations of animals.
• Increase our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of toxic response in humans, wildlife fish and other biological resources.
• Assess the direct and indirect effects of environmental contaminants on humans, wildlife, fish and other biological resources.
• Integrate research efforts with those of federal, state and local regulatory agencies, private industry and environmental groups to provide the highest quality scientific data upon which environmentally sound policy decisions can be made.
• Provide classroom and laboratory instruction in Environmental Toxicology at the associate, baccalaureate and graduate teaching levels.
• Interpret and communicate intramural and extramural technical data so that the public as well as the scientific community will be able to develop informed opinions on the effects of toxic substances in the environment.

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Environmental Toxicology, M.S.

The M.S. program (36 hours) is composed of coursework emphasizing the principles of toxicology, the environmental fate of chemicals, statistical approaches to study design, data handling and analysis, and seminars in environmental toxicology. 
Supplemental coursework, research, and thesis hours are chosen by the student with the guidance of their committee, allowing for focus on the student's particular research emphasis. Students pursuing this degree must perform an original research project, prepare a written thesis, and defend the work in a public defense.

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M.S. Course Work

M.S. Core Courses

• ENTX 6100 – Graduate Seminar: Stats Lab (1)
• ENTX 6105 – Introductory Seminar in Environmental Toxicology (1)
• ENTX 6325 – Principles of Toxicology I (3)
• ENTX 6326 – Principles of Toxicology II (3)
• ENTX 6385 – Statistical Applications in Environmental Toxicology (3)
• ENTX 6445 – Chemical Sources and Fates in Environmental Systems (4)

M.S. Core Courses

• ENTX 6115 – Seminars (4)

M.S. Broadening Courses (6 hours)

• ENTX 6100 – Graduate Seminar: Stats Lab (1)
• ENTX 6105 – Introductory Seminar in Environmental Toxicology (1)
• ENTX 6325 – Principles of Toxicology I (3)
• ENTX 6326 – Principles of Toxicology II (3)• ENTX 6385 – Statistical Applications in Environmental Toxicology (3)
•  ENTX 6445 – Chemical Sources and Fates in Environmental Systems (4)

M.S. Research
(hours after core, seminars, and broadening to reach 36hrs)

• ENTX 7000 – Research (varies)

M.S. Thesis (6 hours)

• ENTX 6000 – Thesis (6)

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M.S. Course TIMELINE

Year 1 - Fall

• Principles of Toxicology (3)
• Statistics for Toxicology (4)
• Interdisciplinary Seminar or Journal Club (1)
• Introductory Seminar (1)

Year 1- Spring

• Principles of Toxicology II (3)
• Chemical Sources and Fate (4)
• Interdisciplinary Seminar or Journal Club (1)
• Research (1)

Summer

• Research (6)

Year 2- Fall

• Interdisciplinary Seminar or Journal Club (1)
• Electives (applied General Broadening) (6)
• Thesis (2)

Year 2 - Spring

• Interdisciplinary Seminar or Journal Club (1)
• Research (4)
• Thesis (4)