Environmental Toxicology Research Program
The University of Mississippi

Ph.D. and M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

Emphasis in Environmental Toxicology

Through research and course work, students will have the opportunity to understand the effects of environmental contaminants and stressors on human health and environmental quality. It is with this understanding that the necessity for high quality basic and applied research becomes apparent in order to set environmental policy and regulations. The program goal is to contribute scientific information that will allow economic growth to occur in a climate of quality, cost-effective health services and ecologically meaningful environmental stewardship. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for careers in academics, industry or governmental service.

 

Degree requirements

Admission

Applicants with undergraduate degrees in pharmacy, toxicology, chemistry, biological science or another program that provides a sound background in the biological and physical sciences will be considered for admission. Three letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member in their major department, and a personal statement outlining their research and career goals are required. These will be requested by the graduate school when you submit your online application.

*GRE score is NOT required for admission.

To be considered for the ETGP Graduate Program, you must be admitted into the Graduate School of the University of Mississippi. Directions and application forms are available HERE.

Admissions During COVID-19

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Environmental Toxicology Ph.D. requirement catalog available HERE.

Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences

DESCRIPTION

The Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences can be completed with an emphasis in environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, or pharmacy administration.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 54

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for each emphasis area are given in the respective program description sections. Each emphasis area requires students to complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of course work and 18 hours of dissertation.

Emphasis – Environmental Toxicology

DESCRIPTION

The PhD in pharmaceutical sciences with emphasis in environmental toxicology prepares a graduate to perform independent research and solve problems related to environmental health issues. Graduates are likely to find careers in academics, industry or government service.

Note: For more information, refer to the student handbook

https://pharm.olemiss.edu/biomolecularsciences/gradprogram/bms-graduate-student-handbook/

GOALS/MISSION STATEMENT

The academic mission of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division Environmental Toxicology is to conduct research and educational activities that seek to identify and resolve problems related to environmental health issues.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for the Ph.D. with emphasis in environmental toxicology consist of a minimum of 15 core course hours (PHCL 675: Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology-4h, PHCL 547: Environmental Toxicology-2h, BMS 767: Advanced Topics in Toxicology-2 h, BISC 504: Biometry-4h, BMS 605: ORP- 1h, Grad 600: Research Ethics-1h, and BMS 601: Graduate Student Survival Strategies- 2h), in addition to a minimum of 12 course hour electives, exclusive of graded seminars (see below), from BioMolecular Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering or other graduate level programs (contingent upon Division of Environmental Toxicology faculty approval).

Seminar Requirement – Students are required to register for BMS 643 (Z-grade) every semester, with the exception of those semesters in which the student presents a seminar and instead registers for BMS 641 (graded). No more than 8 seminar hours can be used toward the 54 minimum total credit hours

A minimum of 18 hours of dissertation research must also be taken to meet degree requirements.

OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Original Research Proposal – A student must prepare, submit, and successfully (orally) defend an original research proposal (ORP). Procedures for this requirement will be provided by the department. Students will register for BMS 605 (Original Research Proposal BioMolecular Sciences) in the semester they anticipate defending their ORP.

Dissertation – A student must prepare and orally defend a dissertation based on original, independent research in partial fulfillment of their Ph.D. degree.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

Environmental toxicology graduate students must meet a high level of academic achievement to maintain eligibility. Students are expected to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (B).

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Environmental Toxicology M.S. requirement catalog available HERE.

DESCRIPTION

The M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences can be completed with an emphasis in environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, or pharmacy administration.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 30

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for each emphasis area are given in the respective program description sections. Each emphasis area requires students to complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis.

Emphasis – Environmental Toxicology

DESCRIPTION

The M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with emphasis in environmental toxicology prepares a graduate to perform research and solve problems related to environmental health issues. Graduates are likely to find careers in academics, industry, or government service.

Note: For more information, refer to the student handbook

https://pharm.olemiss.edu/biomolecularsciences/gradprogram/bms-graduate-student-handbook/

GOALS/MISSION STATEMENT

The academic mission of the Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division Environmental Toxicology is to conduct research and educational activities that seek to identify and resolve problems related to environmental health issues.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for the M.S. with emphasis in environmental toxicology consists of 15 core hours: (PHCL 675: Principles of Pharmacology and Toxicology-4h, PHCL 547: Environmental Toxicology-2h, BMS 767: Advanced Topics in Toxicology-2h, BISC 504 Biometry-4h, and BMS 601: Graduate Student Survival Strategies- 2h: Research Ethics, GS 600-1h), in addition to a minimum of 5 course hour electives, exclusive of graded seminars (see below), from BioMolecular Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering or other graduate level programs (contingent upon Division of Environmental Toxicology faculty approval).

Seminar Requirement – Students are required to register for BMS 643 (Z-grade) every semester, with the exception of those semesters in which the student presents a seminar and instead registers for BMS 641 (graded). No more than 4 seminar hours can be used toward the 24 minimum total credit hours.

A minimum of 6 hours of thesis research must also be taken to meet degree requirements.

 

OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

A thesis based upon experimental work in the general area of environmental toxicology is required.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS

Environmental toxicology graduate students must meet a high level of academic achievement to maintain eligibility. Students are expected to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 (B).

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ETRP Faculty

Faculty associated with the Environmental Toxicology Program currently conduct research and educational activities that seek to identify and resolve problems related to environmental health issues. Accordingly, the graduate faculty of the School of Pharmacy will offer advanced areas of study and research leading to a Ph.D. or a M.S. degree with an emphasis in Environmental Toxicology. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the field of toxicology, there is a close association between the other graduate programs in the school including Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics and the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Members of the UM faculty outside of pharmacy in the departments such as Geology, Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Engineering also have expertise and offer courses of which Environmental Toxicology students may take advantage.

*Indicates members of the ETRP Graduate Student Admission, Retention, and Review Committee

Dr. Marc Slattery*

ETRP Coordinator
Professor of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Toxicology in BioMolecular Sciences and Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of NIUST

662-915-1053
slattery@olemiss.edu

 


Dr. Kristine Willett*

ETRP Graduate Student Coordinator
Chair of BioMolecular Sciences
Professor of Pharmacology

662-915-6691
kwillett@olemiss.edu
Home Page

 

 


Dr. John Rimoldi*

Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Environmental Toxicology BioMolecular Sciences and Research Professor in the Research Institute of
Pharmaceutical Sciences and Director of Research and Graduate Affairs in BioMolecular Sciences

662-915-5119
jrimoldi@olemiss.edu

 


Dr. Deborah Gochfeld

Principal Scientist in the National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Professor of Environmental Toxicology in Biomolecular Sciences and Adjunct Professor of Biology

662-915-6769
gochfeld@olemiss.edu

 

 


Dr. Courtney Roper

Assistant Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Assistant Research Professor in the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences

662-915-1273
clroper@olemiss.edu

 


Dr. Brian Scheffler

Adjunct Professor of Medicinal Chemistry

662-915-7101
Brian.Scheffler@ars.usda.gov


Dr. Kevin Schrader

Research Microbiologist, National Center for Natural Products Research

662-915-1144
kschrader@msa-oxford.ars.usda.gov


Dr. Ikhlas Khan

Director, National Center for Natural Products Research
Professor of Pharmacognosy

662-915-7821
ikhan@olemiss.edu