Toxicology Program Overview
Have you ever wondered why prescription drugs have side effects? Or why some plants and animals are poisonous? Or how exposure to air pollutants affects people’s health? As you learn the answers to these questions, you will be preparing for a rewarding career in toxicology.
Toxicology is the study of how chemicals affect human health and the environment. AU is one of only 13 schools in the country that offer a comprehensive bachelor’s degree in this field. Our program provides coursework in biology and chemistry that prepare you for career opportunities in industry and government, medical/health professional schools or graduate research programs.
How Do I Know if This Program Is Right for Me?
This program is ideal for anyone who:
- Is passionate about investigating chemicals to reduce their harmful effects.
- Wants to understand how the toxicants in the environment affect people’s health and discover ways to eliminate them.
- Finds poisonous plants fascinating and wants to learn more about them.
- Aims to improve the safety of drugs and other chemical products.
Learning Experiences
You can look forward to:
- Learning from an extraordinary group of professors who are respected scholars in their fields.
- Using modern science instrumentation to conduct research in unique facilities, such as:
- Four laboratories dedicated to collaborative research
- Five area environmental preserves
- A greenhouse and research animal facility
Sample Curriculum
Learn more about the Toxicology curriculum by reviewing the Four-Year Curriculum Guide and Academic Catalog.
Also interested in Environmental Science? Check out our Environmental Science/Toxicology double major designed for students who wish to pursue a career in Environmental Science or Toxicology with an emphasis in Environmental Science.
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
Graduate Outcomes
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to work in applied areas, such as clinical medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and forensic science. With your bachelor’s degree, you will qualify for entry-level toxicology jobs as technicians, lab assistants or animal-care specialists.
What kinds of work will you do? As a toxicologist you may:
- Conduct basic research on the effects of toxicants on human health and the environment.
- Develop and perform tests to assess the safety of drugs and other chemical products.
- Assist government agencies in developing regulations and standards in areas ranging from food safety to pollution control.
Career Opportunities
There are approximately 9,000 toxicologists currently working in the U.S. and Canada. Demand for these professionals far exceeds supply. About half of open positions go unfilled each year.
