Toxicology – (M.Sc.)

The Master´s programme in toxicology at Karolinska Institutet, has evolved since 1976, when it was one of the first toxicology programmes to be offered in the world. The two-year programme is unique in its cohesive focus on toxicology and health. Research and risk assessment activities are well-integrated, and provide a solid foundation for continuing as either a researcher or as a risk/safety assessor.

The Master's Programme in Toxicology gives students an in-depth knowledge of the broad and interdisciplinary toxicological field. The programme prepares students for either a research or professional career, and provides a solid platform for doctoral studies in toxicology or work in risk/safety assessment-related areas in the public sector or industry.

The Master's Programme in Toxicology has been offered every second year since 1976 and was one of the first toxicology programmes world-wide. The programme, which is still unique in its two-year cohesive focus on toxicology and human health. The programme utilises its close connection to high-quality research and risk assessment work at the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) - the main centre for education and training in toxicology and health risk assessment in Sweden, and collaborates with AstraZeneca Safety Assessment, national authorities (for example the Swedish Chemicals Agency and the Swedish National Food Administration) and the Swedish Poison Information Centre, as well as with scientists at other departments both within and outside KI.

The programme includes principles in toxicology, toxicokinetics, target organ toxicity, biochemical and molecular toxicological methods, mechanisms of toxicity and mode of action, toxicity testing, laboratory animal science, histopathology, statistics, epidemiology, and health risk assessment. The first part provides students with a general, advanced toxicological grounding, upon which they then base a personal line of inquiry to probe more deeply into experimental research or risk/safety assessment by taking electives and/or running independent projects.

The programme provides a solid foundation for a career in toxicology as either a doctoral researcher or a risk/safety assessor in the public or private sector in Sweden or abroad.