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GRADUATE PROGRAM
To solve problems in environmental toxicology
(ETOX), students must understand how toxic substances move through
the environment, enter
organisms and cause harm. As a result, cross-disciplinary training
in subjects such as geochemistry, physiology, bioinformatics and
molecular biology is essential to equip students to tackle challenges
in this field.. The program at UCSC includes training in microbial
pathogens as toxic agents reasoning that an education in chemical
toxins alone is too narrow. The ETOX department instructs through
in-depth research experiences and courses that develop both a knowledge
base and critical thinking abilities.
The ETOX student's courses are tailored to the individual, creating a graduate experience
that combines essential background material
with course work at the frontiers of science. Classes are chosen
by the student, in conjunction with faculty committee, to complement
the Ph.D. or Master's thesis work that each student is performing.
Students are encouraged to explore new areas and bring this expertise
back to their thesis research.
Additional training comes in several
forms. The ETOX department has weekly seminars that expose students
to new areas within the
field.
ETOX students also give seminars, thus providing them with scientific
presentation skills and the opportunity to share their research
with other department members. Because the department is diverse
and interactive,
students become familiar with disciplines that range from environmental
chemistry to animal physiology to molecular genetics. The program
faculty strongly support collaborations between laboratories.
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