Graduate Calendar 2009-2010

Ottawa-Carleton Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology

Room 316 Nesbitt Building
Telephone: 613-520-2600 ext. 1211
Fax: 613-520-3539

The Program

Coordinator: W. Willmore
Department of Chemistry, Carleton University

Associate Coordinator: J. Blais
Department of Biology, University of Ottawa

Toxicology is the study of effects of toxic substances on living systems. These toxic substances can either be organic or inorganic, synthetic or natural materials. As a field of research, it crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries such as chemistry, biology, and the environmental sciences. Environmental toxicology further extends to aspects of chemical transport, fate, persistence and biological accumulation of toxic substances and their effects at the population and community levels. While individual researchers usually specialize in a particular area, toxicologists today must be able to appreciate significant research in other fields and therefore require an understanding of the basic principles of other disciplines. To meet this challenge the University of Ottawa and Carleton University offer a Collaborative Program in the supporting Institutes leading to a Master of Science degree or Ph.D. with Specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology.

Supporting Institutes

The Collaborative Program is intended to augment the research and training that the student receives through one of the Institutes participating in the program. The primary degree granting units are:

1. The Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, the joint graduate program of the departments of Biology at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
2. The Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Chemistry, the joint graduate program of the departments of Chemistry at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.
3. The Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre, the joint graduate program of the departments of Earth Sciences at the University of Ottawa and Carleton University.

The Collaborative Program is managed by a committee of representatives from the supporting Institutes. The committee is responsible for admitting students into the Collaborative Program and managing the Program. A coordinator and an associate coordinator administer the Program.

Members of the Collaborative Program

• J. T. Arnason, Plant secondary chemicals, plant-insect Interactions, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• A.D.O. Bawagan, Physical chemistry, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• J. Blais, Environmental toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology
• R. Burk, Environmental analytical chemistry, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• C.L. Chakrabarti, Environmental toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University (Distinguished Research Professor)
• C. Charest, Plant eco-physiology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• C.S. Findlay, Modeling of toxicant transport, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• B.R. Hollebone, Chemical toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• S.W. Kennedy, Environmental toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa (Adjunct)
• E.P.C. Lai, Analytical chemistry, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• I.B. Lambert, Genetic toxicology, biochemistry, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, Carleton University
• D.R.S. Lean, NSERC Industrial Chair in Ecotoxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• J.D. Miller, Environmental toxicology of natural toxins, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• P. Mineau, Wildlife and Pesticide Toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, Carleton University (Adjunct)
• R.E.J. Mitchel, Radiation toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa (Adjunct)
• T.W. Moon, Comparative physiology, biochemistry, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• B.J.R. Philogene, Insect physiology, chemical ecology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• F.R. Pick, Aquatic sciences, microbial ecology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• J.C. Scaiano, Physical organic chemistry, photochemistry, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, University of Ottawa
• S.L. Scott, Surface chemistry, kinetics, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, University of Ottawa
• K.B. Storey, Comparative physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology and Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• V.L. Trudeau,Physiology and toxicology of reproduction, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology, University of Ottawa
• D.C. Wigfield,Chemical toxicology, Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• W.G. Willmore, Biochemistry and molecular biology of stress, Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology and Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute, Carleton University
• C. Yauk, Global genomic reponse of mammals to toxic chemicals encountered in the environment, with emphasis on reproductive toxicology and germline mutation, Carleton University

Master's Program

Application to the Program

Applications should be directed to the primary participating unit that is the most appropriate to the student's research interests. Once sponsored and accepted into one of the Institutes, students must be sponsored into the Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology by a faculty member involved in the program. This will normally be the student's supervisor.

Application forms and further information can be obtained by writing directly to any of the participating institutes or departments or to the program coordinator.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to the Master's in the Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology are as follows:

1. Prior admission to the master's program in one of the supporting Institutes participating in the program.
2. Completion of a relevant introductory course in toxicology, either:
   1. prior to admission to the Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, or
   2. by taking one of the two introductory courses, 'Principles of Toxicology' (BIOL 6402/BIO 9101 - CHEM 5708/CHM 8156) or 'Ecotoxicology' (BIOL 6403/BIO 9104 - CHEM 5705/CHM 9109), while registered in the Collaborative Program.

The suitability of any introductory toxicology courses as a prerequisite for the Collaborative Program will be decided by the executive committee. It may be the student's responsibility to provide justification for an exemption.

3. A letter of recommendation from the participating faculty member of the collaborative program, which both recommends admission and indicates the willingness of the faculty member to supervise the candidate's research program in Chemical and/or Environmental Toxicology.

Degree Requirements

The student is responsible for fulfilling both the Institute and departmental requirements for the Master's degree, and the requirements of the Collaborative Program.

The minimum requirements of the Collaborative Program include completing at least three courses, which include:

(i) the introductory course (if required);

(ii) additional courses required by the Master's Program and approved by the Collaborative Program;

(iii) the 'Seminar in Toxicology' (BIOL 6405/BIO 9105 - CHEM 5805/CHM 8167).

In addition, the student's Institute Committee or Advisory Committee may direct the student to take or audit further courses to complement the student's background and research program.

Other courses offered in the programs of the primary academic units of biology or chemistry may be taken as options, with the permission of the student's supervisory committee, in addition to the basic requirements of Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology.

Thesis Requirement

Doctor of Philosophy

Application to the Program

Applications should be directed to the primary participating unit that is the most appropriate to the student's research interests. Once accepted and registered in one of the Institutes, students must be sponsored into the Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology by a faculty member involved in the program; this will normally be the student's thesis supervisor. Application forms and further information can be obtained by writing directly to any of the participating Institutes or Departments or to the program Coordinator.

Admission Requirements

The requirements for admission to the Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology at the Ph.D. level are as follows:

1. Prior admission to the Ph.D. program in one of the supporting Institutes participating in the program.

2. Completion of a relevant introductory course in toxicology, either

(i) prior to admission to the Collaborative Program in Chemical and Environmental toxicology;

(ii) by taking one of the two introductory courses, Principles of Toxicology (BIOL 6402/BIO 9101/CHEM 5708/CHM 8156/ TOXI 5708 [0.5 credit] (TOX 8156)) or Ecotoxicology BIOL 6403/BIO 9104/CHEM 5705/CHM 9109/ TOXI 6403 [0.5 credit] (TOX 9104), while registered in the Collaborative Program. If the student wishes to be exempted from any introductory toxicology courses, it is the student's responsibility to provide justification. The suitability of any introductory toxicology courses as a prerequisite for the Collaborative Program will be decided by the Program Committee of the Program.

3. A letter of recommendation from a participating faculty member who is a member of the Collaborative Program, which both recommends admission and indicates the willingness of the professor to supervise the candidate's research program in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology.

Degree Requirements

Students are responsible for fulfilling both the Institute and Departmental requirements for the Ph.D. degree, and the requirements of the Collaborative Program.

The requirements of the Collaborative Program are as follows:

1. All courses required by the primary program and approved by the Collaborative Program. If an introductory course (either Principles of Toxicology (BIOL 6402/BIO 9101/CHEM 5708/CHM 8156/ TOXI 5708 [0.5 credit] (TOX 8156) or Ecotoxicology (BIOL 6403/BIO 9104/CHEM 5705/CHM 9109/ TOXI 6403 [0.5 credit] (TOX 9104), or an approved alternative) has not been completed prior to admission, it must be included among these courses.

2. The Seminar in Toxicology (BIOL 6405/BIO 9105 - CHEM 5805/CHM 8167/TOXI 6405 [0.5 credit] (TOX 9105).*

______________
*If the student completed this course for the master's specialization, this requirement does not apply.

In addition, students may be directed by their Institute Committee or Advisory Committee to take or audit further courses to complement their background and research program. A list of approved electives is provided under 'Graduate Courses'.

Thesis Requirements

Graduate Courses

Not all of the following courses are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Course numbers refer to University of Ottawa and Carleton University listings of the primary academic units. All courses are offered over one session and carry 3.0 credits at the University of Ottawa and the equivalent 0.5 credits at Carleton University.

University of Ottawa course numbers (in parentheses) follow the Carleton course number and credit information.

Other courses listed in the calendar under the primary academic units of psychology, biology, or chemistry may be taken, with the approval of the student's supervisory committee, as options in addition to the basic requirements of the degree in chemical and environmental toxicology.

BIOL 6402 [0.5 credit] (BIO 9101)
CHEM 5708 [0.5 credit] (CHM 8156)
TOXI 5708 [0.5 credit] (TOX 8156)

Principles of Toxicology

The basic theorems of toxicology with examples of current research problems. Concepts of exposure, hazard and risk assessment will be defined and illustrated with experimental material from some of the more dynamic areas of research.

BIOL 6403 [0.5 credit](BIO 9104)
CHEM 5705 [0.5 credit) (CHM 9109)
TOXI 6403 [0.5 credit] (TOX 9104)

Ecotoxicology

Selected topics and advances in ecotoxicology with emphasis on the biological effects of contaminants, such as the potential for biotic perturbance resulting from chronic and acute exposure of ecosystems to selected toxicants, the methods of pesticide, herbicide and pollutant residue analysis and the concept of bound residues.

BIOL 6405 [0.5 credit] (BIO 9105)
CHEM 5805 [0.5 credit] (CHM 8167)
TOXI 6405 [0.5 credit] (TOX 9105)

Seminar in Toxicology

Current topics in toxicology are highlighted, with presentations by students, faculty and invited speakers. Students will present a seminar and submit a report on the topic.

BIOL 5709 [0.5 credit] ( BIO 8113)
CHEM 5709 [0.5 credit] (CHM 8157)
TOXI 5709 [0.5 credit] (TOX 8157)

Chemical Toxicology

Overview of empirical data relating to the toxicity of various classes of chemicals for test organisms, followed by study of toxicity at the cellular level, including studies of interactions between toxic substances and enzymatic systems.