Toxicology and Environmental Medicine (GRAD)

The Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine administers a degree program leading to the award of the Ph.D. in toxicology. The curriculum is an interdisciplinary program, and its faculty is drawn from various administrative units of the schools of medicine, pharmacy, and public health. The training faculty also includes scientists at government laboratories on campus or in the Research Triangle Park (e.g., EPA, NIEHS). The research interests of the faculty include most areas of toxicology, with particular emphasis on understanding the links between the environment and health risks, the mode of action of toxicants and disease pathogenesis, and how emerging knowledge could be translated into prevention strategies, new therapeutic interventions, and an improved scientific basis for risk assessment.

The main areas of research concentration are molecular carcinogenesis, mechanistic toxicology, neurotoxicology, cardiopulmonary toxicology, hepatic toxicology, computational toxicology, developmental toxicology, immunotoxicology, drug and xenobiotic metabolism, and ethanol toxicology. Multidisciplinary efforts are directed at environmental toxicology, systems biology, animal models of human diseases, translational research, and biomarkers. The faculty generally does not conduct research in the areas of aquatic toxicology, forensic toxicology, the ecological aspects of toxicology, or studies in invertebrate systems. The research activities of the Curriculum in Toxicology are conducted in the laboratory facilities assigned to each faculty member by a participating administrative unit.

Applications

Students with interest in the Ph.D. degree in toxicology must apply for Graduate School admission through the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program. Applications are considered from students who have received or expect to receive a B.S./B.A. or an M.S. degree in a scientific discipline. A desirable background for predoctoral studies in toxicology includes courses in biological sciences (including histology and animal physiology), in chemistry (including analytical and organic), and in mathematics through calculus, although all of these are not absolutely essential. A strong course in general biochemistry accelerates the student's progress. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of undergraduate (and graduate) academic performance, and letters of recommendation. Students are accepted on the basis of their achievement and potential. Prior research experience is strongly considered in the assessment of qualifications for admission.

Financial Aid

The curriculum seeks to fund predoctoral students each year. All applicants are considered for financial aid awards.
 

Toxicology, Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

The Curriculum in Toxicology and Environmental Medicine administers a degree program leading to the award of the Ph.D. in toxicology. The curriculum is an interdisciplinary program, and its faculty is drawn from various administrative units of the schools of medicine, pharmacy, and public health. The training faculty also includes scientists at government laboratories on campus or in the Research Triangle Park (e.g., EPA, NIEHS). The research interests of the faculty include most areas of toxicology, with particular emphasis on understanding the links between the environment and health risks, the mode of action of toxicants and disease pathogenesis, and how emerging knowledge could be translated into prevention strategies, new therapeutic interventions, and an improved scientific basis for risk assessment.

The main areas of research concentration are molecular carcinogenesis, mechanistic toxicology, neurotoxicology, cardiopulmonary toxicology, hepatic toxicology, computational toxicology, developmental toxicology, immunotoxicology, drug and xenobiotic metabolism, and ethanol toxicology. Multidisciplinary efforts are directed at environmental toxicology, systems biology, animal models of human diseases, translational research, and biomarkers. The faculty generally does not conduct research in the areas of aquatic toxicology, forensic toxicology, the ecological aspects of toxicology, or studies in invertebrate systems. The research activities of the Curriculum in Toxicology are conducted in the laboratory facilities assigned to each faculty member by a participating administrative unit.

Course Requirements

Core Courses
PATH 713Molecular and Cellular Pathophysiological Basis of Disease: Mechanisms of Disease3
PATH 714LMolecular and Cellular Pathophysiological Basis of Disease: Laboratory I2
TOXC 707Advanced Toxicology3
TOXC 721Toxicology Seminar II1
TOXC 722Toxicology Seminar III 16
TOXC 749Biochemical Toxicology3
TOXC 821Scientific Writing1
Complete one of the following courses:3
Biostatistics for Laboratory Scientists
Introduction to Statistical Modeling
Principles of Statistical Inference
Electives
A minimum of two elective didactic courses from list below.3
Thesis/Substitute or Dissertation Course
At least 3 hours, each semester, of: 218+
Research in Toxicology
Doctoral Research and Dissertation
Minimum Hours40
1

TOXC 722 must be taken every semester for 1 credit hour.

2

TOXC 901 after joining program in year 2 and until passing written qualifying exam. TOXC 994 after passing qualifying exam.

Electives 1
BCB 710Bioinformatics Colloquium1
BIOL 631Advanced Molecular Biology4
CBPH 852Experimental Physiology of Human Health and Disease4
CBPH 853Experimental Physiology of Human Health and Disease4
ENVR 470Environmental Risk Assessment3
ENVR 601Epidemiology for Environmental Scientists3
ENVR 630Systems Biology in Environmental Health3
ENVR 730Computational Toxicology and Exposure Science3
GNET 621Principles of Genetic Analysis I3
GNET 646Mouse Models of Human Disease1
GNET 647Human Genetics and Genomics1
MCRO 614Immunobiology3
PHCO 701Introduction to Molecular Pharmacology3
1

This recommended list is not exhaustive and availability of courses may change, please look at courses provided by other BBSP providers; other courses can be taken based on student need or DGS recommendation.

Milestones

The following list of milestones (non-course degree requirements) must be completed; view this list of standard milestone definitions for more information.

  • Doctoral Committee
  • Doctoral Oral Comprehensive Exam
  • Doctoral Written Exam
  • Prospectus Oral Exam (Dissertation Proposal, includes written and oral components)
  • Dissertation Defense
  • Doctoral Dissertation Approved/Format Accepted
  • Residence Credit
  • Doctoral Exit Survey

Professors

Shawn Ahmed
Neil Alexis
Kim R. Brouwer
Rebecca Fry

Avram Gold
Ilona Jaspers
Beverly Koller

Leena A. Nylander-French
David Peden

Dale A. Ramsden
Scott H. Randell
Matthew Redinbo
Shehzad Z. Sheikh

Miroslav Styblo
Alexander Tropsha
Cyrus Vaziri
Paul B. Watkins
Bernard E. Weissman
Mark Zylka

Associate Professors

Erin Baker
Folami Ideraabdullah
Samir Kelada
Jeffrey M. Macdonald

Timothy P. Moran
Celia Shiau

Assistant Professors

Edward Bahnson
Leon Coleman Jr.

Elizabeth Corteselli
Klarissa Dawniette Jackson
Julia Rager
Meghan Rebuli

Imran Rizvi
Johanna Smeekens
Gregory Smith

Faculty Affiliates from Other Research Institutions

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Kelly Ferguson
Stephen Ferguson
Michael B. Fessler

G. Jean Harry
Gregory S. Travlos
Carmen J. Williams

North Carolina Central University

Antonio Baines

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Brian Chorley
Hisham El-Masri

Aimen K. Farraj
Stephen Gavett
M. Ian Gilmour
Mehdi A. Hazari
David Herr
Erin Hines
Thomas Jackson
Yong Ho Kim
Urmila P. Kodavanti
Elizabeth Medlock Kakaley
Colette Miller
John M. Rogers
James M. Samet
Haiyan Tong
Cavin Ward-Caviness

TOXC

Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate-level Courses

TOXC 423.  Developmental Toxicology and Teratology.  3 Credits.  

Emphasizes topics of current research interest relative to the genesis of environmentally caused and genetically based birth defects. One two-hour session per week (evening).

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: CBIO 423.  

Graduate-level Courses

TOXC 701.  Current Topics in Toxicology.  1 Credits.  

In this course, we will read, discuss and present primary research articles, from various research groups, in order to interpret the true meaning of recent scientific findings in the field of toxicology. A general understanding of Biology, Chemistry and Human Health is required.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
TOXC 702.  Principles of Pharmacology and Physiology.  3 Credits.  

Introduces students to the major areas of pharmacology and physiology and serves as a basis for more advanced courses. Three lecture hours a week.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, CHEM 430; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: PHCO 702.  
TOXC 707.  Advanced Toxicology.  3 Credits.  

Cellular and physiological basis of toxicity of environmental chemicals, with emphasis on inhalation toxicology, developmental toxicology, immunotoxicology, radiation toxicology, renal toxicology, and neurotoxicology. Three lecture hours per week.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, PHCO 702; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisite.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: ENVR 707, PHCO 707.  
TOXC 721.  Toxicology Seminar II.  1 Credits.  

Student-conducted presentations and discussions of recent advances in toxicology; emphasis on critical evaluation of published investigations and on organization and oral delivery of presentations. One hour per week.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
TOXC 722.  Toxicology Seminar III.  1 Credits.  

Presentations by outside invited speakers, local faculty, advanced graduate students, and postdoctoral trainees. Topics will cover all areas of research in toxicology. One hour per week.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: ENVR 722.  
TOXC 735.  Regulatory Toxicology-Interacting with regulatory agencies & approval for drug, device, and chemical.  3 Credits.  

Regulatory agency fundamentals, regulatory process for drug, medical device, cosmetic and agrochemical products. Industry, regulatory agency representatives and consultants will be invited to speak directly about their regulatory policies, challenges, and expectations. Students will develop and present a regulatory submission package as part of a group project.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: GRAD 735.  
TOXC 749.  Biochemical Toxicology.  3 Credits.  

Required preparation, one course in biochemistry. Biochemical actions of toxicants and assessment of cellular damage by biochemical measurements. Three lecture hours per week.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisite, CHEM 430; permission of the instructor for students lacking the prerequisites.  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: ENVR 749, BIOC 749.  
TOXC 760.  Toxicokinetics.  3 Credits.  

A quantitative examination of the time course of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and biologic effects of agents of toxicologic interest. Three lecture hours per week.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
TOXC 792.  Seminar in Carcinogenesis.  2 Credits.  

Permission of the instructor. Survey of classical and current literature on selected critical issues in carcinogenesis. Students discuss experimental methods and observations as well as theories and generalizations. Two seminar hours a week.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
Same as: PATH 792.  
TOXC 821.  Scientific Writing.  1 Credits.  

Doctoral candidacy in toxicology required. Workshops on scientific writing with special emphasis on fellowship applications and the doctoral research proposal. Students work on several written assignments and are expected to complete a draft of their proposals by the end of the semester.

Rules & Requirements  
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
TOXC 901.  Research in Toxicology.  1-6 Credits.  

May be repeated. Students register in this course as they formulate their doctoral research projects.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
TOXC 992.  Master's (Non-Thesis).  3 Credits.  

Students acquire practical experience through an internship program at a non-academic institution where knowledge in toxicology is applied toward its mission. They subsequently prepare a capstone monograph (thesis substitute) that reports on their individualized experience, a requirement for the MPS in Toxicology.

Rules & Requirements  
Requisites: Prerequisites, TOXC 442 and TOXC 707.  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
Grading Status: Letter grade.  
TOXC 993.  Master's Research and Thesis.  3 Credits.  

May be repeated. Hours and credits to be arranged.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
TOXC 994.  Doctoral Research and Dissertation.  3 Credits.  

May be repeated. Hours and credits to be arranged.

Rules & Requirements  
Repeat Rules: May be repeated for credit.   
 

Curriculum in Toxicology

Visit Program Website

Director of the Curriculum in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine

Meghan Rebuli

Meghan_Rebuli@med.unc.edu

Director of Admissions

Edward Bahnson

Edward_Bahnson@med.unc.edu

Director of Post Doctoral Studies

Bernard Weissman

Bernard_Weissman@med.unc.edu

Business Services Coordinator and Student Services Manager

David Chapman

David_Chapman@med.unc.edu