Becoming a toxicologist is a rewarding career that offers you the opportunity to help people and the environment. You can work in a wide range of industries, including medicine, environmental law, and chemistry.
To become a toxicologist, you should first earn your bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry. Then, you should complete an internship at your desired workplace and begin applying for jobs. You may also want to consider enrolling in graduate school so that you can prepare for more advanced positions such as research scientist or professor.
To become a toxicologist, you’ll need to first earn a bachelor’s degree in toxicology or chemistry. Your undergraduate program should include courses in biology, chemistry and physics.
After you have graduated with your bachelor’s degree, you can earn your Master of Science in Toxicology by taking classes at an accredited university. You should attend classes such as introductory biology and general organic chemistry.
You can apply to work as a toxicologist after graduating from an accredited university and receiving your master’s degree in toxicology. Many employers require applicants to have at least one year of experience working as a laboratory technician prior to applying for the position.
How To Become A Toxicologist
What’s it like to be a Toxicologist?
As a Toxicologist you will diagnose and treat people or organisms who have been exposed to various toxins and poisons. The relationship between the dosage and duration of exposure (i.e. whether it is acute or chronic) and the effects on the exposed person or organism is of crucial importance in Toxicology.
Toxicologist
Tasks and duties
Studying the amount of exposure to a substance (for example, from pollution caused by environmental contaminants such as industrial waste products) and the potential effect it has on public health, plants, animals and ecosystems.
Studying how exposure to foreign chemicals affects the genetic, chemical, physical and structural composition of cells, tissues, organ systems and whole organisms.
Devising and carrying out experiments to determine how chemical or drug concentrations in the body change over time.
Testing newly discovered or manufactured substances for their safety, effects and possible use as drugs.
Analysing blood, urine and other biological and environmental samples to identify the chemical composition and concentration of drugs, contaminants and other substances.
Evaluating evidence from cases where tampering and contamination has occurred.
Writing reports on research and investigations.
Documenting results and preserving evidence in criminal investigations.
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How to become a Toxicologist
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To become a Toxicologist, you usually have to complete a bachelor degree in Toxicology. Alternatively, you may undertake a bachelor degree in Science or Forensics at university with a major in Toxicology.
Complete a bachelor degree in Toxicology. Alternatively, complete a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Forensics with a major in Toxicology. These are generally four-year courses, open to anyone who is 17 or over and has completed Year 12 with an appropriate Universities Admission Index. Prerequisite subjects include one or more of the following: Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics.
Explore opportunities in pharmaceutical or other private companies to test the safety of products. Toxicologists are currently making an important contribution to the field of cancer research, since some toxins can be used as drugs for killing tumour cells. Another option is working in government and helping to develop laws to regulate the use of chemicals.
Teaching as an academic with one of the universities is also an option once you have gained some experience working as a Toxicologist.
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This qualification provides knowledge of the chemical, physical and biological properties of medicine to prepare for a role as a Pharmacist.
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Projected job growth
National increase over next 5 years
3.8%
2020
2025
Source: LMIP. Life Scientists