Toxicology is the study of the effects of chemicals and other potentially harmful agents on biological systems. The field draws upon the sciences of biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, cell and molecular biology, neuroscience, and pathology. The core curriculum provides a comprehensive background in toxicology, enhanced by elective offerings in the department and the many related basic and health science courses available at CSU.
The M.S. in Toxicology, Plan A, prepares students for industry, government, and academia research careers. Graduates also find professional employment in public and private sector positions such as environmental protection, risk assessment, or product safety evaluation. This program provides an excellent basis for students seeking admission to a doctoral degree program in toxicology or a related field.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Students successfully completing this degree will be able to:
- Analyze and interpret dose-response information in both qualitative and quantitative terms.
- Describe the fundamental processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination and the implications of these processes and interpret data related to them.
- Describe toxic responses affecting organs, physiological systems, cells and biomolecules and interpret related toxicological data.
- Explain molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms of toxicity and critically evaluate research results providing evidence for these mechanisms.
- Describe xenobiotic biotransformation pathways that lead to bioactivation and detoxification.
- Correctly interpret pathological changes due to toxicant exposure.
- Analyze and interpret toxicological data.
- Successfully conduct toxicological research.
- Describe, analyze and interpret the results of toxicological research in written form.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses: | ||
| ERHS 502 | Fundamentals of Toxicology | 3 |
| ERHS 521 | Toxicological Pathology | 3 |
| ERHS 522 | Metabolism and Disposition of Toxic Agents | 3 |
| ERHS 523 | Toxicological Mechanisms | 3 |
| ERHS 693C | Research Seminar: Toxicology | 1 |
| Toxicology Courses (select a minimum of 9 credits from the following): 1,2 | 9 | |
| Pharmacology | ||
| Environmental Toxicology | ||
| Environmental Contaminants | ||
| Occupational and Environmental Toxicology | ||
| Toxicology Toolbox: Fundamentals | ||
| Toxicology Toolbox: Metabolism and Disposition | ||
| Environmental Carcinogenesis | ||
| Environmental and Occupational Health Issues | ||
| Epidemiologic Methods | ||
or PBHL 570 | Epidemiology for Public Health | |
| R Programming for Research | ||
or ERHS 537A | R Programming: Research I | |
| Environmental Exposure Assessment | ||
| Equipment and Instrumentation | ||
| Environmental Health Risk Assessment | ||
| Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents | ||
| Forensic Toxicology | ||
| Cell and Molecular Toxicology Techniques | ||
| Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Toxicology | ||
| Immunotoxicology | ||
| Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology | ||
| Thesis: | ||
| ERHS 699 | Thesis | 3-5 |
| Other Requirements: | ||
| Electives 1,2 | 3-5 | |
| Courses selected based upone the student's scientific and professional interests Approval of the advisor is required. | ||
| Examples of elective courses which complement those taken to meet program requirements include: | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
or BC 563 | Molecular Genetics | |
| Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | ||
or BC 565 | Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | |
| Nerve and Muscle-Toxins, Trauma and Disease | ||
| Human and Animal Reproductive Biology | ||
| Cardiopulmonary Physiology | ||
| Endocrinology | ||
| Mammalian Physiology I | ||
| Mammalian Physiology II | ||
| Neuroanatomy | ||
| Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology | ||
| Advanced Cell Biology | ||
| Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Industrial Hygiene | ||
| Group Study: Toxicology | ||
| Independent Study: Toxicology | ||
| Principles of Nutrition Science & Metabolism | ||
| Ecotoxicology | ||
| Principles and Mechanisms of Disease | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | ||
Any additional course(s) from the Toxicology Electives list beyond the 9 credit requirement | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
No more than 6 credits of courses below 500-level may be included in the program.
- 2
No more than a total of 3 credits of Internship, Independent Study, Group Study, and Research courses may be included in the program.
Non-Coursework Requirements
Advisor
Students are encouraged to select their major advisor during the first semester, but must do so no later than the end of the second semester. Selection of the major advisor will establish a personal and professional relationship that will have a major impact on the student's growth and subsequent career. The choice of advisor should be based on personal interviews and a familiarity with both the professor’s past work and planned work in which the student is likely to be involved. The selection must be mutually acceptable to the student and faculty, and must be approved by the Department Head as indicated on the student's GS6 form. Major advisors must have their primary appointment in Toxicology and have a faculty appointment. Mentors outside of Toxicology are eligible to serve as a student’s co-advisors, but not as primary advisor.
Graduate Advisory Committee
The Graduate Advisory Committee for the degree of Master of Science must consist of at least three faculty members. The members are as follows: 1) the advisor who serves as chairperson of the committee and who must hold an academic faculty rank as a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor within the department; 2) one or more additional members from Toxicology or ERHS; and 3) one member from an outside department who, appointed by the Graduate School Dean, represents the Graduate School. The outside committee member must hold a tenure/tenure-track, non-tenure track, transitional, joint, or emeritus faculty appointment at Colorado State University. ERHS faculty affiliates are considered members of ERHS and cannot serve as the outside committee member. Individuals who are not academic faculty but who have special expertise may serve on committees in addition to the prescribed members - however may not vote regarding examination results. The GS6 form detailing the committee must be filed with the Graduate School before the student can register for their fourth semester.
Seminar Requirement
All candidates for the M.S. degree are required to complete a minimum of one credit of a seminar course. Eligible seminar courses include all approved university course listings in seminar format, organized journal clubs taught as Group Studies, CM 792 and ERHS 692. The Graduate Education Committee or individual programs may require additional credits of seminar courses.
Thesis Requirement
Students are required to prepare a thesis based upon research conducted during their program of study that contributes area knowledge. Requires approval of a research proposal, data collection/analysis, and formal oral defense.
Oral Defense Presentation
Each candidate for a Master plan A degree must pass an oral final examination at least five weeks before the expected graduation. This is a public presentation to present research findings with a Q&A session.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |