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 basic and health science courses available at CSU.
The non-thesis M.S. in Toxicology, Plan B transitions graduates into MD, DVM, PharmD, and other professional programs, and prepares students for research careers in industry, government, and academia. Graduates can also find professional employment in public and private sector positions such as environmental protection, risk assessment, or product safety evaluation.
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.
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 592C | Seminar: Toxicology | 1 |
| or ERHS 693C | Research Seminar: Toxicology | |
| Toxicology Courses (select a minimum of 9 credits with the approval of advisor): 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 | ||
| Other Requirements: | ||
| Electives 1,2 | 8 | |
| Courses selected based upon the student's professional interests. Approval by the advisor is required. | ||
| Examples of elective courses that 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 | ||
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
A maximum of 7 credits below the 500-level may be included in the program.
- 2
No more than a total of 6 credits of Internship, Independent Study, Group Study, and Research courses may be included in the program.
Non-Coursework Requirements:
With the consent of the Advisor and Program Director, all students must prepare a professional paper under the direction of a Toxicology faculty member that will then be presented in a defense before the student’s graduate advisory committee.
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 |