MSc Toxicology

Entry standards

Applicants should hold a medical degree, veterinary degree, or a good honours science degree in a subject with strong biological, biochemical or chemical content. Non-graduates with appropriate professional or other qualifications may be admitted. Applications from candidates of exceptional merit, but who lack suitable formal qualifications, will be considered, but such candidates may be required to take an entrance examination. Selection is based upon a candidate’s application and references, with candidates resident in the UK normally invited to attend an interview.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

MSc Toxicology - structure and modules

Module Titles

Modules

Nine compulsory taught modules are presented over two semesters, consisting of lectures, practical work, tutorials and visits to toxicology establishments. In addition, all students undertake a three-month practical research project.

• Principles of Toxicology 1 and 2
• Tissue Specific Toxicity 1 and 2
• Practical Toxicology 1 and 2
• Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment
• Principles of Experimental Toxicology and Risk Assessment
• Ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk Assessment
• Practical Research Project

In addition, there is a supplementary programme in Continuing Professional Development with talks and guidance on career options in toxicology and how to develop a personal portfolio to demonstrate continuing professional development. 

Module Overview 

Principles of Toxicology 1 and 2 

These modules are an introduction to the major concepts of cell and molecular biology, cellular signalling and how chemical insult can affect body function and lead to tissue damage and cancer. The major concepts of how therapeutic agents interact with the body, how they may be used to alter mammalian physiology and how exposure may lead to toxicology are also covered, along with how this can be modelled mathematically. 

Tissue Specific Toxicity 1 and 2 

These modules provide information on the normal structure and function of individual organ systems, and how these are altered during toxicity. The major concepts of how to assess pathological changes, and how these are used in risk assessment, are also covered. Specific organs covered include haematopoietic and immune system, liver, kidney, respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, alimentary, integumentary and nervous systems, reproductive system and development. 

Practical Toxicology 1 and 2

These modules provide training in the major methods used in toxicopathology, molecular toxicology and biochemistry for the detection of cellular damage, including the use of animals and their alternatives in toxicology. Module one consists of lectures, practical laboratory work and demonstrations, whereas in module two students participate in an investigation into a novel toxicological problem. They learn how to plan, undertake and report on a practical toxicity testing study. It teaches how to generate and integrate data from a wide variety of techniques to investigate a complex toxicological problem. Students advance key skills in data handling, statistical analysis, scientific writing and presentation as well as team work.

Human Toxicology and Risk Assessment

In this module, the students learn about the information on toxicity that can be derived from humans in the fields of medical toxicology, chemical incident investigation, drug development and epidemiology. They are introduced to the concepts of assessment and management of poisoning. Taught elements and visits to toxicology establishments provide an overview of the role of the toxicologist in the clinical setting and in pharmaceutical industries. They develop their skills in information retrieval and scientific speaking by presenting seminars of chemical incidents and in writing reports on human poisonings.

Principles of Experimental Toxicology and Risk Assessment

This module familiarises students with study design and toxicity testing procedures, the current use of animals and advances towards the refinement, reduction and replacement of animals. They learn about hazard identification, the interpretation of the endpoints used in risk assessment and the related national and international legislation for different classes and uses of chemicals directly from practising toxicologists in the field.  Visits to a home and personal care and food industry and a contract research organisation form an integral part of the training and learning is further supported by a data interpretation and safety evaluation exercise undertaken by the students.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk Assessment

This module covers the impact of human activity on natural ecosystem function, how the environmental fate of toxins is determined and the use of bio-indicators to determine the health of the environment. An insight into the measures taken to protect the environment against the possible negative effects of pesticides is gained through a visit to an agrochemical company. The module rounds up with the impact of selected substances on human health to helpdevelop ability to evaluate data and communicate on toxicological issues.

Practical Research Project 

This module comprises a three-month project, undertaken during the summer preceded by a literature survey and project planning during semester 2. It provides experience in the planning and execution of a discrete piece of scientific work. Projects cover a wide range of disciplines and, while the majority take place within the Faculty, there are opportunities for you to work within collaborating institutions.

Subject information

Ten Reasons to Study Toxicology 

• Toxicology research at Surrey has an international reputation. In the last Research Assessment Exercise (2008), Toxicology formed part of the submission ranked 2nd out of 63 institutions for subjects allied to medicine, building upon the maximum rating that we achieved in the previous two assessments. Hence, Toxicology research at Surrey has been independently assessed as ‘world class’ over the last fifteen years. 
• Toxicology teaching at Surrey has also been assessed as excellent. The HEFCE Quality Audit Agency Teaching Quality Assurance Panel described our MSc programmes as ‘of very high quality, a view endorsed by employers, external examiners and students’, and went on to say that ‘postgraduate students achievement is excellent’. 
• Our collaborating institutions provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about current best practice, ensuring they always meet the requirements of potential employers. 
• We work closely with a number of other organisations that provide considerable support for the teaching on the programme, as well as the potential for visits to these establishments and project placements.
• This programme gives suitably qualified graduates a broad appreciation of the many aspects of toxicology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of chemically induced toxicity and the assessment of toxicological hazards. 
• You will gain invaluable practical experience in a wide range of techniques and procedures in use for the investigation of toxicological phenomena. 
• You will be able to integrate information and skills learned throughout the programme and use this knowledge to identify and investigate toxicological problems. 
• You will possess a high level of skills in the presentation of toxicological information, both orally and in writing. 
• You will have sufficient knowledge for employment in government, regulatory agencies and industrial or research laboratories, as well as the potential to embark successfully on a higher research degree programme, such as a PhD. 
• Graduate employment rates are extremely high, with over 80 per cent of graduates being in employment within six months of finishing their programme. 

Our Toxicology programme will show you how chemicals are processed by living organisms and how toxicity arises at the molecular level. It will enable you to identify hazards arising from exposure to chemicals, evaluate the risks posed and to communicate them to the public and scientific communities. It prepares you for employment and further education in all aspects of practical and regulatory toxicology. There has always been a great demand for our graduates, many of whom now occupy senior positions in toxicology all over the world. 

You will be based at the University throughout the taught programme and, in addition, will make visits to industrial and medical toxicology laboratories at regular intervals. These visits are an integral part of the MSc programme, consisting of formal lectures and demonstrations, and will greatly enhance your understanding of the role of toxicology in the workplace. To enhance your practical skills, you will undertake a three-month practical research project at either the University or one of the collaborating institutions.

MSc Toxicology - entry standards

Entry standards

Applicants should hold a medical degree, veterinary degree, or a good honours science degree in a subject with strong biological, biochemical or chemical content. Non-graduates with appropriate professional or other qualifications may be admitted. Applications from candidates of exceptional merit, but who lack suitable formal qualifications, will be considered, but such candidates may be required to take an entrance examination. Selection is based upon a candidate’s application and references, with candidates resident in the UK normally invited to attend an interview.

English language requirements

Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component (or equivalent).

Please note that the University of Surrey offers English language programmes and is also an IELTS Test Centre.

Planned intake

20–25

Start date

September

Programme director

• Dr Julie Howarth

MSc Toxicology - fees and funding

Fees

Toxicology (full time):

UK/EU - £5,740 
Overseas - £14,440

www.surrey.ac.uk/pgfees/2012

Funding

The programme has scholarships currently funded by Unilever and GlaxoSmithKline. Candidates for these awards, who are nominated by the Faculty, must be resident in an EU state (including the UK) and hold a qualification at least equivalent to an Upper Second. 

Companies are expected to support their own candidates. 

Where applicable, overseas students will be given help in applying for other sources of funding, such as the British Chevening Scholarship.

MSc Toxicology - professional context

Linked to Industry 

To ensure that students attending the Toxicology programme at Surrey receive the best possible training, the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences collaborates with the Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC), GlaxoSmithKline and the Health and Safety Executive. Not only do staff from these establishments teach on the programme, but their representatives also serve on the External Advisory Group to the Course Board of Studies. This ensures that the syllabus keeps up-to-date with modern developments and always meets the requirements of potential employers. They additionally offer facilities for students to complete their practical research projects in their laboratories. 

Many other organisations also provide considerable support for the teaching of the programme. 

In addition to their invaluable contribution to teaching, two collaborating institutions, in recognition of the valuable training provided by the programme and the need to introduce more young scientists to toxicology, fund scholarships to fully support students to attend the programme.

Careers

The programme has an excellent employment record and our graduates are highly sought after by employers in the UK and overseas. Indeed, the University has been consistently ranked either first or second in the Higher Education Statistics Agency's national university league table for low unemployment. 

With the ever-increasing demand for new and improved chemical products, whether they be medicines, food additives, veterinary products, pesticides, industrial chemicals or household chemicals, it is essential that their safe manufacture, use and disposal is assured. 

The Sunday Times University Guide comments that Surrey has the best graduate employment record of any UK university of the past five years. 

Toxicologists, who are employed by industry, government establishments, research laboratories and academic institutions, are dedicated to achieving the greatest possible degree of safety. There has always been a great demand for our graduates, many of whom now occupy senior positions in toxicology all over the world and have helped to establish the outstanding reputation that the programme now enjoys: over 80 per cent of our graduates are in employment within six months of finishing their programme.

MSc Toxicology - teaching

MSc Toxicology - learning

MSc Toxicology - graduate profile

Graduate Profile: John O’Brien

MSc Toxicology

John O’Brien graduated with an MSc in Toxicology from Surrey in 1985 and is now the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), overseeing 43,000 food businesses and coordinating an inspectorate of 48 agencies nationwide. 

John’s interests have been in the area of food safety for many years. He chose Surrey for his Masters, he says, because “its superb reputation in Toxicology placed it ahead of other universities offering postgraduate courses in this subject”. 

The programme taught him to be pragmatic and critical at the same time, and it offered access to industry scientists and regulators with diverse points of view. His career has taken him from lecturer in food chemistry at University College, Cork and postdoctoral researcher at the Strathclyde Institute for Drug Research to lecturer in food safety. 

He moved on to France as Director of Food Safety for Danone in Paris, and then became Director of Corporate Scientific Affairs there. 

He says, “There’s a growing shortage of experienced toxicologists in Europe at a time when new regulations demand more toxicology. It’s a good time to develop a career in toxicology and regulatory affairs.”

Graduate Profile: Ciarán Fisher

MSc Toxicology

I started the MSc Toxicology course at Surrey having completed an undergraduate course at the University of Exeter. My undergraduate course was in chemistry but due to administrative issues it changed in the final year to include more biology. At the time this didn’t seem like a bonus, but in fact it gave me the opportunity to see a lot of things that I hadn’t come across before. This was one of the main reasons that I came to study toxicology. 

When it came to doing my MSc, Surrey was top of the list because of the high reputation it has in the field of toxicology. The course at Surrey allowed me to build on the knowledge I had gained at Exeter, but also allowed me to learn about new areas in which I was interested. 

Once I spoke to the other people on the course I realised that we came from a diverse range of backgrounds and whereas this can make the course challenging for any individual, it taught me how to work together in a team to achieve my aims. 

Whilst studying for my MSc I began to take an interest in the research that was being conducted in the Toxicology Group at Surrey, and had the opportunity to experience life in the lab during my three-month research project. 

I applied for a PhD position within molecular toxicology at Surrey to examine how drug transport proteins affect chemical disposition, and hence the chance of the chemical being toxic. I was successful at interview and was offered the PhD on successful completion of my MSc – and here I am. This PhD is a joint project with AstraZeneca, allowing me to experience life in both academic and industrial settings.

MSc Toxicology - more

MSc Toxicology - apply

• MSc Toxicology - Full-time - starting September 2012