Collaborative Specialization in Toxicology

The interdepartmental collaborative specialization in toxicology is the focal point for graduate teaching and research in toxicology. Students wishing to undertake graduate studies at the M.Sc. or Ph.D. level with emphasis on toxicology will be admitted by a participating department and will register in both the participating department and in the collaborative specialization as listed below:

Graduate Specialization in Toxicology

Guelph graduates have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out high quality scientific research. MSc graduates are prepared for employment in positions with some responsibility in the research and teaching enterprises of academic institutions (as instructors and technical staff), in science-related positions in the broad biotechnology sector (e.g. pharmaceuticals, biomedical, and agriculture-related industries, food and beverage industries), or in government sector institutes and laboratories. They are well prepared to continue their graduate education at the PhD level. Alternatively they may opt to complete a professional degree (such as law, medicine, or business) or a teaching certificate. There has been an ever increasing demand for masters’ degrees from both government and industry to provide upgrading of their career skills and opportunities. 

PhD graduates are suitable candidates for university faculty positions or for research appointments in government or industry. While many of the PhD graduates of the toxicology specialization have engaged in academic careers, the independence, initiative, innovation and responsibility of toxicology graduates has resulted in highly successful careers in government and private sectors, as consultants and industry leaders. 

Fields of Study

Within the collaborating departments, the program emphasis is toxicology with the field of study being dependent on the research program of the faculty member.  Fields of study in the program include:

Environmental Toxicology

Studies the impact of anthropogenic substances and practices on the biological components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.  This field encompasses several research programs and areas for graduate education including ecotoxicology, non-target species toxicity, environmental monitoring, pesticide chemistry and toxicology, and risk assessment. Participating departments include School of Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics and Integrative Biology.

Molecular Toxicology

Studies the molecular and cellular basis of expression of diverse toxic mechanisms.  Research areas include molecular toxic mechanisms, toxicogenomics, proteinomics, complex matrix chemical identification and enzymes involved in bioactivation/detoxification of endogenous and exogenous chemicals.  Participating departments include Animal and Poultry Science, Biomedical Science, Chemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Human Health & Nutritional Science, Pathology, Integrative Biology and Psychology.

Biomedical Toxicology

Studies the movement of toxic compounds in the body, and the pathogenic mechanisms of natural and anthropogenic chemicals or particles in humans and animals.  Biomedical Toxicology encompasses several research areas such as toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, systems toxicology, drug addiction, biomarker & biomonitoring approaches to toxic exposure and risk assessment.  Participating departments include Animal and Poultry Science, Biomedical Sciences, Human Health & Nutritional Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Pathology, Integrative Biology and Psychology.