Environmental Toxicology

Overview

Key facts

Environmental Toxicology degree at the University of Bergen is the study of environmental contaminants and their effects on different organisms. Environmental Toxicology is an interdisciplinary research field that requires extensive knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, biology, and molecular biology. Knowledge of chemistry is important to understand how the substance's chemical properties affect dispersion, distribution and uptake by organisms. Knowledge of biology is important to understand how the physiology and lifestyle of different organisms determine the degree of exposure and vulnerability, and how the effects of different toxicants can affect reproduction and growth, and even entire ecosystems. 

The molecular biological knowledge is important to gain insight into the mechanisms that determine the substance's behavior and impact on fundamental life processes such as reproduction, metabolism and growth. Cellular biology and molecular biological methods are central to this research, along with bioinformatic analyses of changes in the transcriptome and proteome of study organisms. The research ranges from studies of the ability of endocrine disrupting substances to activate nuclear receptors in cell cultures, to investigations of pollutants dispersion and biological effects in field and laboratory experiments. Current model systems include Oikopleura, cod, stickleback, zebrafish, salmon, seals, polar bears, mice and humans.

This Environmental Toxicology programme at the University of Bergen will make the student qualified to go into a wide range of positions where knowledge of pollutants and environmental toxicology is relevant.

Employability

Toxicologists and environmental toxicologists work in research, teaching, public management and administration, healthcare and industry. Particularly within health, safety and environment (HSE) competence in envioronmental toxicology is essential. The program also provides good foundation for further doctoral study within the field or closely related disciplines.