Masters degrees in Toxicology equip postgraduates with the skills to identify the source, nature and characteristics of toxic substances, poisons and chemical agents, exploring their effects on the tissues and systems in the human body. These include man-made and organic substances.
Related subjects include Medical Toxicology and Forensic Toxicology. Entry requirements typically include an appropriate undergraduate degree such as Medicine, Biology, Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering.
This programme provides vocational training in the theoretical, clinical and laboratory aspects of toxicology.
You will learn about the nature and mechanism of adverse effects of chemicals such as those found in industry, in the household, in agriculture, in medicine and those that occur naturally in the environment. We give particular emphasis to molecular and cellular mechanisms of toxicity and to risk assessment.
Our Toxicology programmes are designed to meet the future needs of the sector, with contributions by international experts from the pharmaceutical industries, contract research companies, government and external toxicology centres.
The MSc Toxicology programme provides training in theoretical, clinical and laboratory aspects of toxicology and acts as a conversion course, taking students from a variety of backgrounds and giving them new skills to enable them to move into research and employment in the field of toxicology and related disciplines.
Specific programme aims
The MSc in Toxicology programme aims to:
The School of Biosciences is recognised internationally as a major centre for teaching and research in toxicology. We provide a lively, highly interactive teaching environment, with integrated teaching by well established centres of bioscience, pathology, clinical pharmacology and toxicology, occupational health and environmental and eco-toxicology. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, practical classes, workshops, tutorials and a research project all supported by directed reading and course work.
Most of the teaching takes place at the University but there are important contributions from external experts working in the pharmaceutical and other industries, contract research companies and government establishments as well as visits to external centres of toxicology. These external contacts are very important in relation to the provision of resources, specialist applied aspects of the training and future employment.
As well as specialist disciplinary knowledge, graduates of the MSc Toxicology programme will also acquire many transferable skills such as the ability to design experiments using a variety of research techniques, collate and interpret the data, use of specialist computer software packages to predict metabolism and toxicity, communication and interpersonal skills, which will all provide an appropriate grounding for employment or further study.
The success rate of students on the MSc in Toxicology programme is approximately 95% and the career opportunities are excellent. Even in times of economic hardship toxicology remains a necessary and important area for funding. The current concern over environmental safety adds to these opportunities.
Those completing the programme in recent years have been employed, for example, in:
This MSc programme is designed to provide students with an in-depth working knowledge of the principles and practice of forensic toxicology. The major strength of this programme is that students study within an operational ISO 17025 accredited forensic toxicology environment and will be taught by practising forensic toxicologists. This programme will be of particular interest to those interested in pursuing or furthering careers in forensic toxicology as court-reporting scientists, laboratory scientists or academics. This programme also enables graduates to gain experience in research before applying to a doctoral programme.
This programme will prepare you for a post in a forensic toxicology laboratory both in the UK and overseas. Many of our graduates find or return to forensic work or undertake a PhD.
This full-time Master's programme provides a comprehensive overview of drug safety practices within the drug development process.
It addresses key aspects of preclinical drug evaluation through the study of:
It will give you state-of-the-art training in preclinical toxicology, with an emphasis on the molecular in vitro and in vivo aspects of toxicology and safety pharmacology assessments.
As part of the programme you will undertake an original research project that will be the basis of your dissertation.
Delivered at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, an internationally renowned research institution, the programme gives you the skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry or regulatory bodies, along with the foundations for PhD study.
Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lies at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.
Top 200 - 2018 QS World University Rankings by subject.
"The course contains the perfect balance between theoretical learning in lectures and hands-on experience by putting our theoretical learning into practice. It has helped spark a greater in-depth interest and knowledge into science and science-related research."
Manisha Prabhakar, MSc Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology
The programme delivers a combination of theoretical learning and hands-on laboratory experience in a number of key aspects of biomedical, pharmacological and toxicological laboratory techniques.
Key elements of scientific analysis, such as critical appraisal and analysis and presentation of data, are also included.
Core Modules
Option Modules
You'll learn through lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars and laboratory investigation, plus self-directed learning.
Assessment consists of exams and coursework. An important component is the final dissertation derived from the research project.
The programme gives you the skills you need for a career in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical trials, or regulatory bodies, along with the foundations for PhD study.
Drug toxicology and safety pharmacology lies at the heart of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, and demand for highly skilled practitioners in this field is extremely high.
The majority of our students find employment in the pharmaceutical industry (e.g. Covance, Envigo, Cyprotex) as well as the clinical setting ( e.g clinical trials at St James Hospital, Leeds). A number of overseas students have returned to their country of origin and have taken high profile positions in the regulatory environment. In addition, many of our students have continued their education and progressed to PhD study (e.g. Universities of Oxford, Leeds, Liverpool, and Bradford).
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
One of the most rapidly developing areas of toxicology.
This programme provides students with a research-orientated training in the application of molecular and cell biology to develop an understanding of chemical toxicity at the cellular and molecular level. You will study within a lively, highly interactive teaching and research environment.
One of the most rapidly developing areas of toxicology is the use of molecular, cell biology and omics to identify adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) and to develop a mechanistic understanding of chemical toxicity at the cellular and molecular level. This is not only of fundamental interest (i.e., understanding the mechanism of action) but it also relates to an increased need for a mechanistic component in chemical risk assessment and development of high throughput screens for chemical toxicity.
The MRes in Molecular Mechanistic Toxicology is a one-year full-time programme that provides students with a research-orientated training in a lively, highly interactive teaching and research environment.
The programme is coordinated by the School of Biosciences, which is recognised internationally as a major centre for both teaching and research in Toxicology. Molecular Toxicology is a major component of the School of Biosciences research activities along with interactions with other departments including Chemistry and the Medical School.
Specific areas of active research include:
Two five-week taught modules are held in Semester 1 in conjunction with the taught MSc in Toxicology programme. Training in generic and laboratory research skills is also an important element of the programme. The programme also includes a six-month research project, which provides students with an opportunity for further advanced research training and hands-on experience of molecular and cellular biology techniques embedded in a research laboratory. Research projects can take place either in academic or industrial institutions.
Semester 1
Semester 2:
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, coursework, practical classes, student seminars and placement in a research laboratory. The taught component is assessed by a combination of examinations and coursework. The dissertation component is assessed by preparation of a research thesis.
After completing the course you will have gained a detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of chemical toxicity (e.g. polymorphisms and metabolism, genotoxic and non-genotoxic carcinogens, mechanisms of apoptosis, cDNA microarray and other high throughput screening strategies). You will also be able to critically evaluate and interpret available scientific literature, and effectively present the results of your research to peers using both written reports and oral communications. The programme will help you to develop laboratory skills and enable you to effectively interact in a research laboratory setting.
There is a demand for Toxicologists with molecular biology training in industry and other research organisations. The skills you gain from this course will stand you in good stead to enter research-based careers in the pharmaceutical industry and the medical sciences. You will also have enhanced your opportunities to further your research training by studying for the degree of PhD.
This research-based course has a taught component that is the same as an MSc. It provides a springboard into a career that involves a working knowledge of scientific research.
The course is designed for graduates with a BSc in the life sciences or other science disciplines, and for intercalating and fully qualified MBBS or BDS students. It can be taken either as a stand-alone qualification or as an entry route onto a PhD or MD.
The taught component of the course includes subject-specific content in the area of toxicology. You have the flexibility to develop your own bespoke course by selecting additional, complementary modules. You will also participate in training in general research principles, and other professional and key skills.
The subject-based modules give a broad understanding in toxicology, from basic concepts and molecular mechanisms to a review of target organ toxicities, pre-clinical and clinical pharmaceutical toxicology testing. They provide a broad overview of toxicology as it is applied in the pharmaceutical industries.
Your research project comprises the major element of the course. This project will involve 24 weeks of research in an area of toxicology under the supervision of an expert academic researcher in the field.
The course allows you to experience an internationally competitive research area, predominantly in academia but also potentially in industry.
Toxicology MRes is closely linked to a suite of MRes courses that you may also be interested in:
Our Medical Sciences Graduate School is dedicated to providing you with information, support and advice throughout your research degree studies. We can help and advise you on a variety of queries relating to your studies, funding or welfare.
Our Research Student Development Programme supports and complements your research whilst developing your professional skills and confidence.
You will make an on-going assessment of your own development and training needs through personal development planning (PDP) in the ePortfolio system. Our organised external events and development programme have been mapped against the Vitae Researcher Development Framework to help you identify how best to meet your training and development needs.
This programme is designed for doctors, pharmacists and other scientists who wish to develop a broad understanding of the principles underlying medical toxicology.
This MSc in Medical Toxicology is a part-time distance learning course for medical personnel. It is particularly designed for clinical pharmacologists in training, specialist trainees in accident and emergency medicine or acute medicine and other disciplines, and those intending to enter or already working in the pharmaceutical industry.
It is also designed for those working in poisons centres, for health professionals, including hospital and community pharmacists and for those with a degree in Life Sciences or other individuals seeking a career in the government regulatory bodies or the pharmaceutical or chemical industry.
The course is available to a selected number of candidates, who have successfully completed our postgraduate diploma in Medical Toxicology to an acceptable standard.
The course aims to:
A key aim of the teaching programme is to encourage critical thinking, as we aim to equip you with practical and factual knowledge and also provide a basic approach to toxicological problems, encouraging attitudes and abilities which will be of lasting value in the future.
Distinctive features
The distance learning format helps candidates to complete requirements in their own time. The topic usually depends on the local workplace and relates to the improvement of existing services.
How will I be taught?
Studies at MSc dissertation level will largely consist of guided independent study and research, making use of the extensive learning and research facilities available. A project supervisor will be allocated to support and advise you on researching and writing up your specific dissertation topic. A formative module on Research Methods will be delivered online via Cardiff University’s online learning platform, Learning Central™.
How will I be supported?
The course is entirely delivered as a distance-learning course via Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), Learning Central, on which you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessments.
All students are allocated a personal tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who you can contact to discuss progress and to provide advice and guidance as needed.
This programme is aimed at those who have completed the Diploma in Medical Toxicology and wish to complete a research project or literature review to expand their academic knowledge on the subject.
This Masters programme enables you to demonstrate you are taking the opportunity to develop your abilities in critical analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, finding and using evidence and in dealing with complex issues. Whilst we do not formally assess clinical skills or competencies in a face-to-face context (so the programme is not a substitute for a formal specialty training programme), studying at this level should help successful students demonstrate numerous academic skills that should be highly regarded in relation to their career development and progression. In particular, the programme offers opportunities to demonstrate the development of knowledge and skills in relation to the application of evidence-based medicine and the potential enhancement of services and governance frameworks. As such, it should provide evidence of commitment and potential that may assist you in relation to taking on greater responsibilities or perhaps seeking management, research, scholarship, or leadership roles.
This course is designed for Scientists and Engineers who wish to develop their skills in drug analysis and toxicology. The course will enhance your career prospects and give you the confidence and competence to make a difference in this fascinating field.
You will benefit from the use of modern analytical equipment, and a real insight into the latest developments and challenges facing the industry. Your coursework will be underpinned by research, and industry-input, providing you with the best platform from which to deliver relevant and up-to-date analytical science services as a well-prepared graduate.
85% of MSc Analytical Sciences graduates have gone on to employment in analytical sciences and 12% have continued to PhD study (Business Gateway, 2017).
SEMESTER 1
This course has a common first semester with the Analytical Science courses with other specialisms (Environmental Analysis, and Food Analysis, Authenticity and Safety).
However, the extensive laboratory module is tailored to emphasise analytical techniques most relevant to your chosen specialism of Drug Analysis and Toxicology.
SEMESTER 2
You will take part in a group problem-solving mini-project within your discipline. This builds on semester one study and emphasises the groups' ability to correctly apply appropriate instrumental techniques and methodology to solve the analytical problem posed.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Ethics and Project Planning are introduced to the group and will provide you with valuable experience for your individual MSc Research Project Preparation which is carried out in the final 2-3 weeks of semester 2.
The project titles are released at the beginning of semester two but not allocated until week 3 or 4. Allocation is often based on a competitive basis.
SEMESTER 3
You will begin the MSc Research Project practical work where you will develop your skills in using initiative, innovation, interpersonal skills, and a high level of autonomy, critical judgement and the application of appropriate and relevant principles in order to produce your thesis.
A built-for-purpose learning environment fully supports your learning experience in analytical science. You are given extensive use of state-of-the-art analytical equipment, e.g. GC-MS, LC-MS, LC-MS-MS, ICP-AES, SEM-EDXA, CE, DSC, TGA, PCR, NMR and tuition from research active, expert staff. Much focus is placed upon developing you to work autonomously and problem-solve in analytical environments.
Our partners commonly provide industrial visits and guest lectures as well as external MSc projects. These relationships will allow you to gain a unique insight into the opportunities available within the analytical chemistry sector, as well as the challenges and opportunities you will face once in the workforce.
ACTIVITY SUMMARY
INDEPENDENT STUDY
You will develop substantial initiative and autonomy through lectures, tutorials and laboratory exercises which will demand a significant amount of independent learning to complete coursework and assessments. The MSc project is a significant piece of self-directed work which tests your higher cognitive skills in problem-solving and analysis, synthesis, evaluation and selectivity and improves your ability to learn.
STAFF DELIVERING ON THIS COURSE
Our team features in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.
Most of our staff members are research-active or have connections to industry. Professional involvement in the design of this course ensures its alignment with the requirements of the industry and increases your employability. Our school has a unique relationships with, for example, Aberdeen's environmental industries, Scottish Food and Drink producers and the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA). We also collaborate with the Scottish Police Authority on the profile analysis of seized and surrendered abused drugs.
ASSESSMENT
Typically students are assessed each year:
Depending upon availability and academic performance, you may have the opportunity to undertake your MSc Research Project in an industrial setting. This may be in the Aberdeen area or further afield, e.g. other parts of Scotland, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, France etc. We have a dedicated Placement Office to support you to securing a placement, however most students achieve placement from their own independent networking. Please note that industry projects are limited and subject to availability.
85% of MSc Analytical Sciences graduates have gone on to employment in analytical sciences and 12% have continued to PhD study (Business Gateway, 2017).
Graduates gain employment in a wide range of areas such as research, project management and analytical services associated with a range of industries including distillation, pharmaceutical, oilfield chemistry, food/drink analysis and environmental science.
Graduates may also go on to further their academic career by seeking doctoral studies either within Robert Gordon University, when funding and suitable vacancies are available, or the rest of the UK, EU or internationally.
Some of our graduates with the Drug Analysis and Toxicology specialism have gone on to undertake a variety of projects including tablet quality analysis at GSK, substances of abuse analysis for Police Scotland, and toxicology analysis at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Hospital.
Please visit the website to find out how to apply
The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a multidisciplinary programme of study that aims to provide graduates and holders of relevant medical or non-medical professional qualifications with the advanced academic background required for leadership roles in public health. The course covers the breadth of public health.
The Master of Public Health (MPH) course is an intensive study programme that aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge informing the key domains of public health.
You will:
All students are enrolled onto the Master of Public Health which addresses the key domains of public health practice. The course is made up of optional and required modules.
The required modules are:
Once accepted onto the course, you may wish to pursue a specialist pathway by selecting the additional required/compulsory modules.
If you are interested in the :
You will also explore a range of optional modules to bring your total credit value up to 180, allowing you to create a unique study plan that reflects your interests.
If you are studying full-time, you will complete the course in one year, from September to September. If you are studying part-time, your programme will take two years to complete.
In addition to the required modules (which total 90 credits), part-time students should plan to take 30-45 optional module credits in their first year and 45-60 optional module credits in their second year.
Teaching
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the programme. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study.
Assessment
The primary method of assessment for this course is a combination of unseen written examinations, coursework and presentations. The research project and dissertation will be assessed on an extended piece of writing.
Examinations are mainly held during Examination Period 1 (January) and Examination Period 2 (May / early June). The ‘Essentials of Toxicology for Public Health Protection’ examination is, however, normally held during Examination Period 3 (August).
Resit and replacement examinations are normally scheduled during Examination Period 3 (August). Resit and replacement examinations for the 'Essentials of Toxicology for Public Health Protection' module are normally held during the following Examination Period (January).
You’ll submit your first piece of summative coursework towards the end of Term 1, and coursework submissions continue into April. The coursework for the ‘Essentials of Toxicology for Public Health Protection’ module is submitted in August.
The dissertation is submitted in early September (part-time students submit their dissertation at the end of their second year).
The formal teaching, self-directed study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. They are however, subject to change.
Regulating body
King’s College is regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
Location
The majority of learning for this degree takes place at the King’s College London Guy’s Campus. Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the optional modules you select.
Job titles of recent MPH graduates include: Public Health Specialist; Head of Public Health Intelligence; Health Partnership Programme Manager; Health Promotion Campaign Manager; Epidemiologist; Health Data Analyst; Project Coordinator; Public Health Advisor; Health Protection Specialist; Public Health Screening Coordinator; Vascular Prevention Programme Coordinator; Health Improvement Practitioner; Public Health Specialist: Healthy Living; and Lecturer in Public Health . Other MPH students have gone on to PhDs at King's and other universities.
A useful source of public health careers information is the NHS Health Careers website. You might find it helpful to review the information on this website as a starting point if you are considering a career in public health, or would like to further your current career in public health.
The University of Aberdeen is highly regarded for Clinical Pharmacology as the discipline has been taught and delivered for 30 years and research spans 50 years. The programme draws on strengths within the university and medical area within disease discovery and treatment. The major innovation of Insulin was first developed at University of Aberdeen in the 1920s, winning the inventors a Nobel Prize and giving the world a major step forward in the management and regulation of insulin. Since this time the discovery of drug process, treatment and design has been developed and researched at Aberdeen. The University is also known for its research in food and nutrition, bacteria, gut issues researched at the world famous Rowett Institute and growing knowledge of disease process and latest innovative treatments.
Clinical pharmacology forms a critical part of the drug development process and our graduates are employed in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. These industries are now in rapid growth due to a combination of innovations and strength within customised and other types of medicine and treatment industry areas. The industry is also a major contributor of GDP in the UK. Further innovations which link into this industry come from easier upscaling processes, customisation and the Internet of Things and more ability to treat and diagnose at source.
There is always a strong need for the discipline to provide a foundation to any new innovations which often come from multidisciplinary teams. Our aim is to train students in the major areas of clinical pharmacology including molecular pharmacology, drug metabolism and toxicology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmcovigilance, regulatory affairs and experimental medicine. The programme aims to achieve this by a multi-disciplinary approach.
This programme is ideal for newly qualified graduates in medical science disciplines such as biomedical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacy, medicine and similar degrees. Careers can include work in clinical trials and NPD in pharmaceutical industries, doctoral research towards teaching, spin-outs and major innovations, regulation in the pharmaceutical industry and more.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Optional
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
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Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
If you are interested in how drugs metabolise, small molecule discovery and biologics this programme will provide an advanced level of study and challenge to ensure you have sound skills to innovate within the drug development industry. This industry area is rapidly expanding due to new discoveries across biotechnology, biologics, Internet of Things, customised drug treatments and diagnostics at source. This has lead to many new companies being formed, customised and small batch medicines apart from large batch pharmaceutical research and production.
University of Aberdeen is world renowned in this area with the invention of Insulin to treat diabetes which won a Nobel Prize and strengths in medical research areas which also include food and nutrition and disease treatment. You learn about bio-business, how drugs are developed and managed. The university has strong links with GSK, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca plus Novabiotics and others.
In our MSc in Drug Discovery and Development we train students in major areas of biochemical and molecular pharmacology and therapeutics relevant to the drug discovery and development business. This includes training in molecular pharmacology, drug metabolism and toxicology, therapeutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs and clinical pharmacology.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
The MRes Medical Sciences give you a fully immersive experience to extend your knowledge and research interests across the full spectrum of medical science areas but with emphasis on pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications and areas post graduation. If you enjoy working in a laboratory, want to discover something new and you want to apply your new knowledge either to spin out company formation, new discoveries and patented innovations or research and academia the MRes is a great starting point.
Your research is augmented by optional courses to further your knowledge across Bioinformatics, Molecular Genetics, Microbiology, Immunology, Drug Metabolism and Toxicology, Small Molecule Drug Discovery, and Biotechnology. Wherever your research takes you in terms of interests these subject areas are in demand within current industry in the disciplines involved and new company formations. Biotechnology and Pharmacology have benefited from major digital revolutions, technological advances, applications, tools and techniques to rapid prototyping, upscaling and ability to commercialise research which can benefit health markets.
Across the UK and internationally there is a push in an already growing market and some exciting new ways of customising discoveries and connecting to the digital world. There has never been a better time to innovate and research. If you want to know more about what is going on in Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally read more about the Scottish Innovation Centers and Catapult UK as a start. The university is involved in all Scottish Innovation centres and is ranked in the top 10 for spin out company formation, many of the companies starting from researchers like you.
Health Sciences have been researched and taught at Aberdeen since the Middle Ages when Bishop Elphinstone, the founder of the university and ahead of his time concentrated on setting up a centre of excellence and new discovery at Kings College and Marischal College. Currently the health campus is one of the largest in Europe offering a fully immersive mix of research students, staff, clinical practitioners and a live hospital setting with several Institutes and Centres all contained at Foresterhill. You can also experience events and conferences held at the campus and see first hand new technological applications, innovations and more.
You are learning by research and this is further supported by the following course modules:
Optional
International Student Fees 2017/2018
Find out about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
Scholarships
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
Find out more about:
Find out more about living in Aberdeen and living costs
