Individual Occupational Requirements for

GS-415:    Toxicology Series

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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Updated 06 November 1998