400 | Graduate Courses

Toxicology
www.toxicology. iastate.edu
toximajor@iastate.edu
(Interdepartmental Graduate Major)
Supervisory Committee: A. Kanthasamy, Chair;
J. Beetham, J. Coats, G. Kraus

Work is offered for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in toxicology in various cooperating departments: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering; Animal Ecology; Animal Science; Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology; Biomedical Sciences; Botany; Chemistry; Entomology; Food Science and Human Nutrition; Geological and Atmospheric Sciences; Microbiology; Plant Pathology; Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine; Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine; Veterinary Pathology; and Zoology and Genetics.

The prerequisites for entrance into the graduate toxicology major include an undergraduate degree in a relevant area of study; for example, chemical engineering, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, ecology, entomology, food science and technology, microbiology, nutritional science, zoology, or veterinary medicine. Minimum undergraduate coursework should include the following or their equivalent: 1 year of college mathematics, including calculus; 1 year of inorganic chemistry with quantitative analysis; 1 course in physics; 1 year of organic chemistry; 2 years of biological sciences including 1 course in physiology.

Other courses that are considered desirable in the undergraduate preparation include: biochemistry, physical chemistry, qualitative analysis, and some specialized courses such as histology or advanced physiology. Prospective students not meeting these requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis with approval of the admissions committee and the program of study committee.

Facilities and faculty are available in these departments for fundamental research in such areas as aquatic toxicology, environmental fate and effects of chemicals, food safety, neurotoxicology, nutritional toxicology, pesticides, and veterinary toxicology.

Students majoring in toxicology will be affiliated with a cooperating department and choose a major professor from the participating faculty in that department. All Ph.D. students take a core curriculum consisting of Tox 501 and 502, 2 credits of Tox 504 (Toxicology Seminar), 7 additional credits in toxicology, 8 credits in biochemistry (from BBMB 404, 405, 420, 451, 511, 542), 3 graduate credits in physiology, histology, or pathology; Stat 401 and 402. M.S. students take a core of Toxicology 501 and 502, 1 credit of Toxicology 504 Seminar, 3 additional credits in toxicology, BBMB 404 and 405, Stat 401. Additional coursework is selected to meet departmental requirements and to satisfy individual student research interests; toxicology courses may be chosen from those listed below. The foreign language requirement is determined by the student's major department.

Graduates of the Toxicology major will be able to carefully design, execute and analyze experiments that extend the knowledge of toxicology and closely related sciences. They will be able to clearly communicate research findings, and thoroughly evaluate the literature of toxicology, contributing significantly to the advancement of the field.

A graduate minor in toxicology is available for students enrolled in other majors. A minor for an M.S. degree includes Tox 504 and 501 and 3 credits in other toxicology courses. A minor at the Ph.D. level includes Tox 504, 501, and 6 credits in other toxicology course work. One member of the student's program of study committee will be a member of the toxicology faculty.
Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 419, 420.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students
Tox 419. Foodborne Hazards. (Same as FS HN 419.) See Food Science and Human Nutrition. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Tox 420. Food Microbiology. (Same as Micro 420.) See Microbiology. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students
Tox 501. Principles of Toxicology. (Same as VDPAM 501, Zool 501.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: BBMB 404 or equivalent. Principles of toxicology governing entry, fate, and effects of toxicants on living systems. Includes toxicokinetics and foreign compound metabolism relative to toxification or detoxification. Fundamentals of foreign compound effects on metabolism, physiology, and morphology of different cell types, tissues, and organ systems.

Tox 502. Toxicology Methods. (Same as VDPAM 502, Zool 502.) (0-6) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2004. Prereq: 501. Provides demonstrations or laboratory experience in the application of methods used in toxicology, including safety procedures, calculation and data analysis, teratologic and morphologic evaluation, electrophysiologic measures, in vitro enzyme induction/biotransformation, neural and behavioral toxicology testing.

Tox 504. Toxicology Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Presentation of a seminar about a current topic in toxicology as part of a weekly series of seminars by graduate students, faculty, and guest lecturers from off campus.

Tox 513. Ecological Toxicology. (Same as A Ecl 513.) See Animal Ecology.

Tox 519. Food Toxicology. (Same as FS HN 519.) See Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Tox 526. Veterinary Toxicology. (Same as VDPAM 526.) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. A study of disease processes in animals caused by toxicants and the use of differential diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Tox 544. Aquatic Toxicology. (Same as A Ecl 544.) See Animal Ecology.

Tox 546. Clinical and Diagnostic Toxicology. (Same as VDPAM 546.) (0-3 to 0-9) Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: VDPAM 526 or DVM degree. Advanced study of current problems and issues in toxicology. Emphasis on problem solving utilizing clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory resources.

Tox 550. Pesticides in the Environment. (Same as Ent 550.) See Entomology.

Tox 554. General Pharmacology. (Same as B M S 554). See Biomedical Sciences.

Tox 555. Neurobehavioral Toxicology. (Same as VDPAM 555.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2003. Prereq: VDPAM 501. Advanced study of neurotoxicology and behavior. Emphasis on methods in neurobehavioral toxicology and the effects of a broad spectrum of neurotoxic agents.

Tox 565. Methods of Biostatistics. (Same as Stat 565.) See Statistics.

Tox 590. Special Topics.

Courses for Graduate Students
Tox 626. Advanced Food Microbiology. (Same as FS HN 626.) See Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Tox 643. Natural Toxins. (Same as FS HN 643, Pl P 643.) (1-6) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2005. Prereq: Courses in biochemistry and physiology. Naturally occurring toxins in foods and feeds; plant-derived toxins; mechanisms of action; regulatory issues.

Tox 675. Insecticide Toxicology. (Same as Ent 675.) (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2003. Prereq: Ent 555 or Tox 501. Coats. Principles of insecticide toxicology; classification, mode of action, metabolism, and environmental effects of insecticides.

Tox 699. Research.