Lancaster University

-        Appreciate the underlying principals of toxicology i.e. the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms.  This will include being able to identify the three main categories of toxicology and how they inter-connect.  Students should also be able to explain the main underlying principles of in vitro/in vivo regulatory toxicology and possess a practical working knowledge of important state-of-the-art assays.

-        Appreciate the diverse applications of toxicology from mechanistic considerations to hazard assessment.  This incorporates a strong understanding of toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics with particular emphasis on biotransformation and xenobiotic actions/interactions.  Students should also understand the diverse mechanisms by which different agents may play an important role in cancer causation alongside epidemiological evidence.

-        Appreciate the human health effects of various environmental exposures in terms of biotransformation, induction of somatic mutations, neurological impairments, epidemiology etc.

-        Practical experience of cutting edge techniques. The research project provides the opportunity for closer staff-student interactions where first-hand application and choice of subject-driven techniques will occur within a research-active environment

The student is expected to gain insight and experience of scientific methodology. On completion of the programme it is expected that the student will develop the following intellectual skills:

-        Ability to develop a robust scientific argument, formulate and test hypotheses, and to assess contrasting scientific theories.

-        Problem solving and decision making, identifying, abstracting and synthesizing relevant scientific and technical information.

-        Self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, acting autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.

-        The use of experimentation within a scientific problem solving exercise and handling complexity and uncertainty.

General: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

The student will gain a variety of transferable skills essential for the effective communication of science. The minimum range of generic skills that a student is expected to gain is set by the compulsory Graduate Training Programme element of the course. These transferable skills are further developed through the varied methods of delivery and assessment within the taught elements of the programme. The range of transferable skills that students are expected to gain includes:

-        IT literacy in mainstream word-processing, analysis and presentation software

-        Presenting information in verbal, electronic and hardcopy media

-        Appreciate how the underlying principals of toxicology can be applied to living organisms

-        Source, analyse and summarise scientific literature

-        Appreciate how the scientific community disseminates knowledge

Design, interpret and report investigation programmes  and experiments

-        Numeracy, including mathematical and statistical modeling

-        Project management

-        Knowledge of how to apply for research funding