MBS+TOX program (Applied Toxicology)
Preamble
Master of Biomedical Science (MBS) students may apply to complete their degrees with an applied toxicology focus on theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to drug and chemical safety evaluation and regulation. These students simultaneously register in the MBS program and the collaborative specialization in Toxicology and will receive an MBS + TOX upon graduation.
Recent labour statistics indicate that career opportunities for graduates with training in applied toxicology are high as annual demand for toxicologists consistently outstrips supply. Graduates of the MBS+TOX program will be competitive for employment in:
- chemical, drug, food and consumer product industries
- toxicology consulting firms
- federal and provincial government regulatory departments
- contract research organizations and institutional research centers
Objectives
Students in the MBS+TOX program will develop core competencies required for a career in applied toxicology including knowledge of the regulatory requirements for drug/chemical safety evaluation, toxicology risk assessment including practical elements of toxicity testing, study design evaluation, statistical analysis, data interpretation and report writing. Development of professional skills will also be emphasized including critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, as well as interpersonal skills including leadership and teamwork.
The MBS+TOX includes required and recommended core courses and optional electives as well practicum placements in government agencies, industries and consulting firms that emphasize application of concepts and skills to solve toxicology-related problems, develop toxicology-based submissions to regulatory agencies and assess toxicological risk.
The program is tailored to students who have graduated with a BSc degree in Toxicology or BSc with several advanced level courses in toxicology and an interest in applied toxicology and associated regulatory aspects.
Program Components
- MBS+TOX students complete the 1-year program in the field of Pharmacology and Toxicology with a specialization in Applied Toxicology
- emphasizes experiential conceptual learning with practicum placements
- mandatory start in the Fall semester
- 4.0 Course Credits as per the MBS program
Required courses:
- TOX*6000 Advanced Principles of Toxicology S [0.5]
- TOX*6200 Advanced Topics in Toxicology W [0.5] (only if TOX*4200 not taken)
- TOX*6910 Practicum in Biomedical Sciences S [1.0]
Recommended courses:
- BIOM*6490 Introduction to Drug Development W [0.5]
- POPM*6230 Applied Clinical Research W [0.50]
- BIOM*6400 Critical Thinking in Medical Research F [0.5] (only if BIOM*3210 not taken)
Optional courses: (Note, only 2 senior undergraduate courses can be taken)
- BIOM*6800 Gene Expression in Health and Disease W [0.5]
- ENVS*6882*03 Special Topics in Plant and Environmental Health: Introduction to Pesticide Toxicology and Policy [0.5]
- ENVS*6882*02 Special Topics in Plant and Environmental Health: Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment [0.5]
- POPM*6350 Safety of Foods of Animal Origins F [0.50]
- POPM*6540 Concepts in Environmental Public Health W [0.50]
- TOX*6590 Biochemical Toxicology F [0.5] (only if TOX*4590 not taken)
- ENVS*4000 Toxicological Risk Assessment W [0.5]
- HHNS*6400 Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals F [0.50]
- NUTR*4510 Toxicology, Nutrition and Food F [0.50]
- BIOM*4300 Biomedical Communications F [0.5]
- TOX*4100 Toxicological Pathology W [0.5]
- TOX*4000 Medical Toxicology F [0.5]
- Other courses are possible with approval from Dr. Kirby
Contact
Gordon M. Kirby, DVM, MSc, PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rm.1646C
E-mail: gkirby@uoguelph.ca / Phone: 519-824 4120 ext. 54948
Note: Prior to applying to the MBS + TOX program, interested students should contact Dr. Kirby to discuss their academic background most notably undergraduate training in toxicology and career interests in toxicology.