Master's in Forensic Toxicology

The Forensic Toxicology concentration is provided by the College of Veterinary Medicine. It focuses on general and advanced principles of toxicology, forensic toxicology and drug metabolism providing a strong foundation in analytical techniques, pharmacokinetics, drug elimination and toxicology. Modules in forensic pharmacology, doping control, postmortem toxicology, expert testimony and QA/QC procedures are also featured. This program may be of interest to those currently working or seeking employment in the following areas:

Crime laboratories
Medical Examiners Offices
Police departments
Criminal defense and prosecution attorneys
Hospital and Clinical Chemistry Laboratories
Pharmaceutical Industry
High school science teachers

The diploma will state Master of Science issued by the Graduate School of the University of Florida. The transcripts will read Master of Science, graduation date, major Veterinary Medical Sciences, concentration Forensic Toxicology.

Application Information:

MS Degree Application

We are now accepting applications for the Fall 2013 term. For further information, please contact us.

Courses:

Master of Science in Forensic Toxicology			Spring	Summer	Fall
PHA 6425	Drug Biotransformation & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity	credits: 3	x		x
VME 6934	Forensic Medicine I	credits: 4	x	x	x
PHA 6935¹	Forensic Medicine II	credits: 4	x		x
VME 6613	Forensic Toxicology I	credits: 3	x		x
VME 6614	Forensic Toxicology II	credits: 3	x	x
VME 6602	General Toxicology	credits: 3	x		x
VME 6766	Laboratory QA/QC	credits: 3	x	x	x
VME 6604	Literature Survey (Forensic Toxicology)	credits: 2	x	x	x
VME 6650	Mammalian Pharmacology	credits: 4	x		x
PHA 6935²	Principles of Forensic Science	credits: 3	x	x	x
PHA 6935	Applied Statistics for Data Analysis	credits: 3	x	x	x
VME 6934	Special Topics in Forensic Toxicology (on location in Gainesville)	credits: 1	x	x	x
VME 6605	Toxic Substances	credits: 3	x	x

1.	Forensic Medicine II does not satisfy credit requirements for Master's Degrees or Certificates. Students wishing to take this course should contact de-support@ahc.ufl.edu.
2.	Principles of Forensic Science is optional and does not satisfy credit requirements for Forensic Toxicology and DNA & Serology. Students wishing to take this course should contact de-support@ahc.ufl.edu.

Course Syllabus Catalog

The general course policies and the most recent course syllabus catalog are available as a PDF for download here.

Requirements To Earn Degree:

32 credits are required to earn this MS degree.

Grade Requirements:

The only passing grades for Graduate Students are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, and C. Please note C+ and C grades count toward degree only if an equal number of courses numbered 5000 or higher have been earned with B+, A-, or A, respectively. If a grade of C- or below is earned, the student will need to re-take the course when it is offered again to have it count toward a MS degree.

Please also note, as stated below, courses taken before being in the MS status must be earned as a B grade or higher to transfer toward the MS degree. Grades earned with a B- or less will not transfer.

Transfer of Credits Toward MS:

A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed to count toward a MS degree. These can include no more than 9 credits from institution/s approved by UF, with the balance obtained from nondegree and/or certificate courses at the University of Florida. These courses must be graduate level (5000-7999) and earned with a grade of B or better and the course(s) cannot have been taken longer than seven years from the term you begin as a MS student. To have credits reviewed for transfer from another University, please fax (352-273-8716) or email (de-support@ahc.ufl.edu) the following:

a copy of your transcript (including a transcript key usually found on the back of the transcript)
a course syllabus for review of what was covered in the course, and
a letter containing which course(s) you would like to be considered for transfer and which course(s) you think the course(s) will replace in the Forensic Science Program.

We will forward the request to the Supervisory Committee for your major who will then make a decision. Also, if your official transcript is not already on file with the University Registrar, please sent it to:

University of Florida

Office of Registrar

201 Criser Hall

Gainesville, FL 32611-4000

Graduation Requirements:

Please read the information regarding the Master's graduation credit requirements for your last term.

Recommended Course Order:

The following is a recommended course order for Forensic Toxicology:

Forensic Toxicology 1 should be taken before Forensic Toxicology 2.
General Toxicology is recommended before Drug Biotransformation & Molecular Mechanisms of Toxicity and Toxic Substances.
Forensic Medicine 1 should be taken before Forensic Medicine 2.
Lab QA/QC and Applied Statistics for Data Analysis can be taken anytime.
Special Topics and Literature Survey should be taken in the final semester.

Special Topics Course:

The 1-credit special topics course will consist of three days of reviews, oral examination, and comprehensive final examination in Gainesville, Florida. Refer to Critical Dates for specific dates the course will be held each term.

Examinations:

In addition to tests, examinations and other assessments incorporated in the individual courses, masters students will be required to take a comprehensive final examination on the courses covered in this program.

Supervisory Committee/Academic advisor:

A faculty member within the department of Physiological Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, and with graduate faculty status, will supervise all of the students enrolled in this program. If students have inquiries about the program curriculum or their schedule of courses they should contact the faculty advisor. Currently this person will be Dr. Ian Tebbett.

Library Access:

Students taking UF Forensic Science courses will also be granted online access to UF's Health Center Libraries.