How many years of school does it take to become a Toxicologist?

Answer 1

The more correct and relevant answer is as follows

The answer to this question is 2 to 3 years. It depends on the amount of time you can devote to completing a Masters degree in Toxicology. You don't have to have a PhD degree in toxicology to do research or work in industry in the field. Of course, as with most jobs, some organizations tend to be biased toward advancing those who do have PhD's but for toxicology, you can obtain board certification after a number of years of experience (see American Board of Toxicology). Experience means more than a PhD in industry and board certification is proof of that experience.

Medical toxicology does require a medical degree but this is only one branch of toxicology. Clinical toxicology usually requires a degree in Pharmacy or nursing. Each of these separate branches has it's own certifying board separate from the American Board of Toxicology. For medicine it's the ABMT, for clinical it's the ABAT. For forensic toxicology its the SOFT, but for pretty much every other branch of toxicology it's the one mentioned in the first paragraph, the ABT.

Note: the information above is specific for a degree in TOXICOLOGY, not epidemiology which is usually offered by Schools of Public Health. When you apply to a toxicology program, be sure to look closely at the curriculum and ask what the final degree will be..........is it toxicology, or is it epidemiology, or something else entirely. What matters is curriculum. You want to make sure you are taking toxicology courses such as mechanistic tox, organ systems tox, biochemical tox, environmental tox, clinical tox, molecular tox, etc. See the textbook; Casarett and Doull's: The Basic Science of Poisons. This book represents the backbone of the branches of toxicology. Toxicology is not epidemiology though they can be related and there may be some crossover when you are dealing with risk assessment and diseases caused by toxins or toxicants.

If you want a more ambiguous answer.................see the one provided by the person below.

A Ph.D. degree in a biological science is the minimum education required for most prospective medical scientists, except epidemiologists, because the work of medical scientists is almost entirely research oriented. A Ph.D. degree qualifies one to do research on basic life processes or on particular medical problems or diseases and to analyze and interpret the results of experiments on patients. Some medical scientists obtain a medical degree instead of a Ph.D., but may not be licensed physicians because they have not taken the State licensing examination or completed a residency program, typically because they prefer research to clinical practice. Medical scientists who administer drug or gene therapy to human patients, or who otherwise interact medically with patients-drawing blood, excising tissue, or performing other invasive procedures-must be licensed physicians. To be licensed, physicians must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass a licensing examination, and complete 1 to 7 years of graduate medical education. (See physicians and surgeons.) It is particularly helpful for medical scientists to earn both Ph.D. and medical degrees.

Students planning careers as medical scientists should have a bachelor's degree in a biological science. In addition to required courses in chemistry and Biology, undergraduates should study allied disciplines, such as mathematics, engineering, physics, and computer science, or courses in their field of interest. Once they have completed undergraduate studies, they can then select a specialty area for their advanced degree, such as cytology, bioinformatics, genomics, or pathology. In addition to formal education, medical scientists usually spend several years in a postdoctoral position before they apply for permanent jobs. Postdoctoral work provides valuable laboratory experience, including experience in specific processes and techniques such as gene splicing, which is transferable to other research projects. In some institutions, the postdoctoral position can lead to a permanent job.

Medical scientists should be able to work independently or as part of a team and be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Those in private industry, especially those who aspire to consulting and administrative positions, should possess strong communication skills so that they can provide instruction and advice to physicians and other health care professionals.

The minimum educational requirement for epidemiology is a master's degree from a school of public health. Some jobs require a Ph.D. or medical degree, depending on the work performed. Epidemiologists who work in hospitals and health care centers often must have a medical degree with specific training in Infectious Diseases. Currently, about 140 infectious disease training programs exist in 42 States. Some employees in research epidemiology positions are required to be licensed physicians because they must administer drugs in clinical trials.

Epidemiologists who perform laboratory tests often require the knowledge and expertise of a licensed physician in order to administer drugs to patients in clinical trials. Epidemiologists who are not physicians frequently work closely with one.

Few students select epidemiology for undergraduate study. Undergraduates, nonetheless, should study biological sciences and should have a solid background in chemistry, mathematics, and computer science. Once a student is prepared for graduate studies, he or she can choose a specialty within epidemiology. For example, those interested in studying environmental epidemiology should focus on environmental coursework, such as water pollution, air pollution, or pesticide use. The core work of environmental studies includes toxicology and molecular biology, and students may continue with advanced coursework in environmental or occupational epidemiology. Other specialty areas that students can pursue include infectious process, infection control precautions, surveillance methodology, and outbreak investigation. Some epidemiologists begin their careers in other health care occupations, such as registered nurse and medical technologist.

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) offers continuing-education courses and certification programs in infection prevention and control and applied epidemiology. To become certified as an infection control professional, applicants are required by a certified board to pass an examination for a one-time fee. Certification is recommended for those seeking advancement and for those seeking to continually upgrade their knowledge in a rapidly evolving field.

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Answer 2

It depends on if it is a clinical toxicology or a forensic toxicology. Clinical tox screens are done while the patient is still alive. Forensic tox screens are done as part of an autopsy. A clinical screening can be done in 30 minutes or less depending on what is being looked for. Forensic screenings can take weeks to accomplish.

Answer 3

To Become A toxicologist you have to have the following:

High School Degree

A Masters degree in Toxicology, Biochemistry, or other related field

You must possess a Ph.D. or a Doctorate in one of the natural sciences

Answer 4

According to information that is available on the internet it states that there are several skills needed to become a toxicologist. Some of the skills require the applicants to use scientific rules and methods to solve problems, have an understanding of written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents that are written in a scientific manor, the ability to use log and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of an alternate solution or solutions to the gain a reasonable conclusion, and be competent in mathematics. There are 10 skills sets to achieve with some of the skill sets having multiple requirements to be a toxicologist.

Answer 5

While toxicology is the science of poisons, as a science it is an interface between chemistry and biology. Within this field, to do meaningful research a doctorate is required. The doctorate would take approximately four years post bachelor's degree.

Answer 6

2-4 years experience in the field of natural science.

Answer 7

least a Masters degree in chemistry, biochemistry, a biological science, or forensic science.

Answer 8

40 years