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 Ph.D. in Toxicology prepares students for research careers in industry, government, and academia. The emphasis is on developing the abilities of the student to progress to a career as an independent scientist.
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.
- Formulate hypotheses related to toxicological effects and mechanisms.
- Design and implement experimental approaches to testing toxicological hypotheses.
- Successfully conduct toxicological research.
- Describe, analyze and interpret the results of toxicological research in written form conforming to accepted standards of scientific communication and peer-reviewed publication.
- Competently present toxicological research results orally.
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 |
| Other Requirements | ||
| Toxicology Courses 1 | 12 | |
| Pharmacology | ||
| 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 | ||
| Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement 2 | ||
| Seminar Requirement 3 | 1 | |
| Electives 1,4 | 6 | |
| Dissertation 5 | ||
| Program Total Credits | 72 | |
| Examples of elective courses that complement those taken to meet program requirements include | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| Molecular Regulation of Cell Function | ||
| Mammalian Physiology I | ||
| Mammalian Physiology II | ||
| Neuroanatomy | ||
| Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology | ||
| Advanced Cell Biology | ||
| Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Human Disease and the Environment | ||
| Cancer Biology | ||
| Industrial Hygiene | ||
| Cancer Genetics | ||
| Independent Study: Toxicology | ||
| Group Study: Toxicology | ||
| Supervised College Teaching | ||
| Principles of Nutrition Science & Metabolism | ||
| Ecotoxicology | ||
| Principles and Mechanisms of Disease | ||
| Immunobiology | ||
| Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology | ||
| Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
| Any additional course(s) from the Toxicology Electives list beyond the 12 credit requirement | ||
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Select courses as approved by advisor and graduate advisory committee.
- 2
Students must complete one of the following: GRAD 544 or ERHS 573.
- 3
A minimum of 1 credit of graduate seminar determined by the advisor and graduate committee in addition to the core requirement of ERHS 693C.
- 4
A maximum of 6 credits of elective courses below the 500-level may be counted toward the program total.
- 5
Select enough dissertation credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 72 credits as approved by the advisor and graduate advisory committee.
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 a Doctor of Philosophy student shall consist of a minimum of four members. Students can opt to include a fifth member if this member provides additional subject matter expertise or research guidance. The committee should be composed of those persons best qualified to direct and evaluate the student's program of study. Responsibility for selecting the committee lies with the advisor and the student, with the approval of the Department Head. The committee members are as follows: 1) the advisor who serves as chairperson of the committee and who must hold academic faculty rank as a professor, associate professor, or assistant professor of any appointment type within the department or program granting the degree; 2) two additional members from the department; 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/emerita faculty appointment at Colorado State University. ERHS faculty affiliates are considered members of ERHS and cannot serve as the outside committee member. The optional fifth member may be a second faculty member from outside the ERHS department or a person qualified to serve on graduate committees (and approved, according to Graduate School guidelines) who works outside of the university, regardless of department affiliation. In addition to the basic membership, the committee may be supplemented by other members who may be capable of aiding in the investigation by the student. Voting privileges of committee members shall be as defined by the Graduate School.
Seminar Requirement:
All students in the Ph.D. degree are required to complete a minimum of two credits 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 792. The Graduate Advisory Committee may require additional credits of seminar courses.
Annual Progress Report:
The student should prepare a written report which summarizes the goals of the research, describes progress during the past year, emphasizes significant accomplishments, and discusses problems encountered. The student should indicate changes in direction which have occurred during the past year and outline the specific goals or objectives and approaches to be used during the coming year. In addition, students will report on their academic progress based on their GS6 form.
Evaluation of Performance:
The committee should evaluate the student's coursework and research progress. Persistent lack of progress will be grounds for dismissal from the Ph.D. program as described in the Graduate Bulletin. The results of the annual evaluation, with the committee's recommendations, will be submitted by the graduate education committee in writing to be included in the student's file. Students failing to meet with the committee annually may have a hold placed on their registration for the following semester.
Preliminary Examination:
The PhD student gains admission to candidacy by passing a comprehensive preliminary examination. The preliminary examination consists of preparation of a written research proposal and an oral exam that assesses foundational knowledge and research readiness. The preliminary examination is to be administered by the end of the 6th semester in the graduate program. Extensions may be granted with written approval from the advisor and ADH of Graduate Education.
Dissertation Requirement:
Students are required to prepare a comprehensive dissertation based upon independent research conducted during the program of study that contributes new knowledge to the field. Requires approval of a research proposal, data collection/analysis, and formal oral defense.
Oral Defense Presentation:
Each candidate for a doctoral 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 |