Undergraduate students at North Carolina State University now have a choice not available to many college students.

In an era of dirty bombs and terrorist threats, N.C. State now offers a minor in environmental toxicology. Approved in February 2003 and implemented in the fall 2003 semester, the program promises to help meet the demand for toxicologists around the country, says Dr. Chris Hofelt, visiting assistant professor of toxicology and director of undergraduate programs in N.C. State’s Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology. “In this sense,” Hofelt says, “undergraduates with experience in toxicology have a leg up on the competition, whether they are pursuing graduate studies or heading directly into the workforce.”

Broadly defined, toxicology is the branch of science that studies the adverse effects of chemicals and other physical phenomena within biological systems. The study lends itself well to research in a number of fields in the life sciences, such as pharmacology, genomics, biochemistry and the environmental sciences.

Nationwide, only a handful of universities offer toxicology programs for undergraduates. Yet Hofelt says the demand for toxicologists continues to rise, and many employers are having difficulty filling those jobs. “Many people don’t understand risk assessment and even more don’t have a grasp of basic toxicological principles that underlie risk assessment and procedures,” Hofelt says. “Our new minor stresses the importance of these types of issues in our uncertain world.”

As a multidisciplinary study, the environmental toxicology minor incorporates coursework in biology, chemistry, physiology, pathology and biochemistry. Of the minor’s 15 credit hours, six are electives from a wide variety of options.

The new minor also meshes with N.C. State’s new major in environmental technology. “The minor is especially appropriate for, but not limited to, students majoring in the biological or agricultural sciences, physical sciences or science education,” Hofelt says. Students can be admitted to the minor after successfully completing 60 credit hours. Hofelt attributes the rigorous quality of the coursework to the wealth of information that must be covered in only a short amount of time.

Hofelt believes that students will be eager to pursue the minor. “Judging by the popularity of the classes, I believe this minor will be popular; two of the core classes of the minor have both been very well-received in their first offerings,” he says.

— N.C. State News Services