Toxicology Program

Toxicology is the branch of science concerned with the harmful effects of chemicals on biological systems. Toxicology literally means "the study of poisons". Toxicologists are concerned with exposure to chemical agents as a cause of both acute and chronic illnesses. They are involved in the recognition, identification, and quantitation of hazards and public health concerns of chemical exposures in air, water, food, drugs, and other parts of our environment and are concerned with the development of chemicals which can be used safely. They explore scientific mechanisms at the environmental, whole organism, organ, cellular, and molecular levels to understand how chemicals produce adverse effects. Graduates with degrees in toxicology find jobs in industries, in colleges and universities, in regulatory agencies, and in private companies.

The Interdisciplinary Toxicology (INTOX) program at UAMS is a joint effort between UAMS and the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), located in nearby Jefferson, Arkansas. The INTOX program brings together faculty from the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, from other disciplines at UAMS, and from the NCTR to train students at the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy levels. Students receive their didactic course work (2 years) at UAMS and may perform their dissertation research (approximately 2 years) with faculty in various departments at UAMS (Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Pediatrics, Dermatology, Medicine, Pharmacy) or with adjunct faculty at the NCTR.

Because of the diversity of the UAMS faculty and the involvement of adjunct faculty from NCTR, the INTOX program has a large number of toxicology research specialty areas. Some of the areas include: metabolism, cytotoxicity, carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, development toxicology, reproductive toxicology, neurotoxicology, nephrotoxicology, hepatotoxicilogy, risk assessment, behavioral toxicology, molecular toxicology, immunotoxicology, and nutritional toxicology. Full stipends and tuition waivers are available for qualified students.

Admission Requirements for Graduate Studies in Interdisciplinary Toxicology