Individual Occupational Requirements for
GS-415: Toxicology Series
The text below is extracted verbatim from
Section IV-B of the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards
for General Schedule Positions (p.IV-B-60), but contains minor edits
to conform to web-page requirements.
Use these individual occupational requirements in
conjunction with the "Group Coverage Qualification Standard for
Professional and Scientific Positions."
Basic Requirements: Degree: toxicology; or an appropriate discipline of the biological, medical, or
veterinary sciences that included at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, biochemistry, or physiology, and
12 semester hours in toxicology.
Evaluation of Education: The positions in this series are multidisciplinary positions because the work may
involve the application of a scientific knowledge of anatomy, chemistry, biochemistry, physiology,
pathology, toxicology, and related sciences such as microbiology, biophysics, entomology, genetics,
mathematics, and statistics.
Applicants may have acquired a knowledge of the methods and techniques applied in performing toxicological work through various fields of scientific inquiry. Traditionally, academic training in toxicology
has been given at the graduate level in connection with the work of a school of veterinary medicine or a
school of medicine. Students who enter these schools directly after completing their undergraduate
programs are usually trained in anatomy, toxicology, pharmacology, biochemistry, or physiology. Many
toxicologists enter the field after taking graduate work in anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, or
physiology, and complete their doctoral program in these fields, or get their M.D. or Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine. Typically, they then acquire experience or work toward a Ph.D. in toxicology.
Courses in anatomy, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, histology, and animal, human,
microbial, or cellular physiology may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in chemistry,
biochemistry, and physiology. Courses in statistics, bioassay, and test design may also apply to this
requirement. Courses in cytology, embryology, cellular or microbial genetics, and biophysics may also
be used to meet this requirement in those instances where the course work provided additional insight into
the biophysical, biochemical, and physiological relationships involved. Only toxicology courses may be
used to meet the requirement for 12 semester hours in toxicology. This may include courses dealing
intensively with toxicological search, methods in toxicology, essentials of toxicology, the study and review
of toxicological literature, special reading courses, or other toxicologically-oriented subjects.
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