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Toxicology
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Toxicology is the study of poisons and pollutants. Toxicology focuses on the harmful effects chemical and physical agents have on living organisms and our environment. The Toxicology Undergraduate Program at the University of Saskatchewan is the only program of its type in western Canada, and the most comprehensive undergraduate toxicology program in the country.
The program allows students to choose from many electives so that they can focus their undergraduate program on specific areas of toxicological knowledge, including biomedical/pharmaceutical toxicology, ecological toxicology, analytical toxicology, forensic toxicology, veterinary toxicology and risk assessment/regulatory toxicology. Graduates with expertise in any of these areas are highly sought after by employers in government, industry, non-governmental organizations, and universities.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying toxicology at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BIOL 120.3 | The Nature of Life
BIOL 121.3 | The Diversity of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
CHEM 115.3 | General Chemistry II Chemical Processes
CHEM 250.3 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry
You choose
- One course (3 cu) from either MATH 110.3, Calculus I OR MATH 125.3, Mathematics for the Life Sciences
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Explore information about your major in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- View the suggested course sequence for the Toxicology Undergraduate Program
What will I learn?
- How toxic substances behave in the body and in the natural environment, how they adversely affect individual organisms, populations and ecosystems, and how to measure these toxicants and their potential effects
- Types of environmental pollutants and their presence and movement through air, soil, and water and risk assessment and regulation of prescription drugs, pesticides, pollutants and other chemicals
- You will complete practical, hands-on research experience in laboratory or field studies as well as solving real-life toxicology problems in the capstone course
- You will have the opportunity to work in the Toxicology Undergraduate Research Experience Program (TUREP) or as a summer research assistant working with toxicology faculty
- You will have opportunities for international exchange for research in toxicology through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Gain relevant experience
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning class
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Consider getting involved with the Toxicology Students Society (ToSS)
Get career ready
- Meet with a Career Coach at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BIOL 224.3 | Animal Body Systems
BMSC 200.3 | Biomolecules
BMSC 220.3 | Cell Biology
PHYS 115.3 | Physics and the Universe
TOX 200.3 | Poisons and Pollutants
You choose
- One course (3 cu) from PHYS 117.3, Physics for the Life Sciences OR PHYS 125.3, Physics and Technology
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
BIOL 317.3 | Fundamentals of Animal Physiology
CHEM 375.3 | Environmental Chemistry
TOX 300.3 | General Principles of Toxicology
TOX 301.3 | Environmental Toxicology
You choose
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Declare your major in the PAWS
- View the suggested course sequence for the Toxicology Undergraduate Program to ensure you're on track
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.
- Water Science (certificate)
- Biology (minor)
- Chemistry (minor)
- Physics (minor)
Gain relevant experience
- Meet with the Study Abroad Coordinator or an International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC) International Education Officer to explore your study abroad options
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved with a hands-on learning experience by applying for a TUREP position
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
- Join the Toxicology Students Society (ToSS)
Get career ready
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
- Career & Self-Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
TOX 400.3 | Quantitative Toxicology
TOX 490.3 | Toxicology Seminar
You choose
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- View the suggested course sequence for the Toxicology Undergraduate Program to ensure you're on track to graduate
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
- Get involved with a hands-on learning experience by completing a project in TOX 480.3 or TOX 481.6
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Get connected with the following organizations:
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter and CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
Career readiness competencies
Career Readiness Competencies are transferable skill sets that will prepare you for the world of work and include the top attributes that employers are looking for:
Possible destinations
People with a toxicology degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Aquatic Monitoring Coordinator
- Contaminated Sites Policy Specialist
- Environmental Coordinator
- Environmental Specialist
- Environmental Toxicologist
- Field Service Technician
- Forensic Specialist
- Compliance Officer
- Health Safety Environment Coordinator
- Intermediate Risk Assessor
- Laboratory Manager
- Plant Health Department Inspector
- Radiation Specialist
- Research Assistant/Associate
- Residue Scientist
- Safety Standards Specialist
- Safety, Health, and Environment Assistant
- Toxicologist for Hazardous Materials Division
- Wastewater Treatment Operator
- Water Quality Specialist
I am involved in numerous scientific societies and associations – as a student presentation judge and mentor - and the contributions coming from the Toxicology Centre's graduates are consistently excellent and highly respected. There is significant investment in the undergraduate and post-graduate programs, but most importantly, there is consistent encouragement and empowerment of students – when they leave their Toxicology program - to follow their paths in various sectors in which toxicologists work.
—Guy Gilron, Senior Environmental Scientist/Principal, Borealis Environmental Consulting
Where do USask alumni work?
- Banner Environmental Engineering
- Bayer Crop Science
- Cameco
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Envirotec Services Incorporated
- Golder
- Health Canada
- Integrated Toxicology Solutions LTD
- Intertek
- Ministry of Agriculture (Government of Saskatchewan)
- PotashCorp
- Prairie Diagnostic Services
- RCMP
- Saskatchewan Research Council
- Syngenta
- Toxicology Centre
- University of Saskatchewan
- VIDO
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"My decision to choose U of S for my studies in Toxicology was motivated by its unique position as one of the leading institutions in Canada offering specialized undergraduate and graduate training in environmental toxicology. The program's interdisciplinary approach, comprehensive skill development, supportive faculty, and diverse collaborative opportunities have been instrumental in shaping my academic and professional trajectory and will undoubtedly guarantee my success in any future endeavours."
—Emily, B.Sc. in toxicology '19, M.Sc. in toxicology '23, current Ph.D student in toxicology
"I greatly appreciated the broad and applied nature of course work as well as research projects with opportunities to collaborate with both government research labs as well as industry projects. I still collaborate with many of my peers and faculty from the program to this day. Now as someone who supports the hiring of ecotoxicologists in my team, I continue to be highly impressed by the quality of candidates emerging from the U of S Toxicology program."
—Sarah, M.Sc. in toxicology '05, Ph.D. in toxicology '08
"Unlike larger, more mainstream programs, the undergraduate toxicology program is small and intimate, fostering a strong sense of closeness among its students."
—Chantel, Bachelor of Science in toxicology '23