Program Website: http://www.clemson.edu/entox/
The Environmental Toxicology Program at Clemson University offers the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, and consists of cutting-edge research, comprehensive plans of study, and high-quality interactions among faculty and students. The research and training focus of the program is concentrated in three areas: fate of organic and inorganic contaminants, biochemical toxicology, and ecological and aquatic toxicology. A focus on interdisciplinary approaches and sound science is fundamental to our education and research activities.
Research activities encompass the areas of aquatic ecotoxicology, biochemical and molecular toxicology, immunobiology and immunotoxicology, terrestrial ecotoxicology, analytic chemistry, and ecological modeling. A strong fundamental research program examines the mechanisms of how chemicals exert their toxicity and how variability in individual organisms can lead to sensitivity or resistance in a wide range of species. Methods developed from research studies provide the means for assessing chemical exposure and impact in the field. Field studies, used to document the status of potentially affected species, incorporate small mammal and avian habitat assessment, water and vegetation sampling, collection of invertebrates and aquatic organisms, and estuarine-marine habitat assessments.
Programs of Study
M.S.Students take core courses and complete their program with electives that provide flexibility. Master’s students are required to complete 24 credits plus 6 hours of thesis research and take an average of two to three years to graduate. Core courses include ENTOX 630 (Principles of Toxicology), ENTOX 637 (Ecotoxicology), an 800-level statistics course, EE&S 843 or 845 (Environmental Engineering Chemistry I or II), ENTOX 861 (Seminar in Environmental Toxicology, every semester), and ENTOX 891 (Master’s Research, minimum of six credit hours).
Ph.D.Doctoral students are required to complete 18 hours of credit and pass written and oral examinations, and take an average of five years to graduate. Core courses include ENTOX 630 (Principles of Toxicology), ENTOX 637 (Ecotoxicology), an 800-level statistics course, EE&S 843 or 845 (Environmental Engineering Chemistry I or II), ENTOX 861 (Seminar in Environmental Toxicology, every semester), and ENTOX 991 (Doctoral Research, minimum of eighteen credit hours).
Student Group
Students in the environmental toxicology program come from diverse backgrounds and from all regions of the nation and a number of different countries. There are approximately 30 students in the program. Forty percent are women, 29 percent are international students, and 97 percent are full-time students. Graduate assistants paid a flat fee of $1,020 per semester and $315 per summer session.
Financial Aid
Graduate research assistantships are available through research grants that are administered by individual faculty members. Fellowships and teaching assistantships in a variety of departments are also available. Minimum assistantship levels are normally $18,000 for Ph.D. students. There are no allowances for dependents or hiring of spouses.
Living and Housing Costs
Graduate on-campus housing is available. Comfortable and economical housing, which includes two- and three-bedroom duplexes and town houses, is also available for families. Costs start at $385 per month. The cost of living in Clemson is quite low compared to the national average.
Location
Clemson is a small, beautiful college town in upstate South Carolina. The Upstate is one of the country’s fastest-growing areas and is an important part of the I-85 Corridor, a multi-state area along Interstate 85 that runs from the metro Atlanta area (home to nearly 5 million people) to Richmond, Virginia and encompasses Charlotte, North Carolina as well as North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Atlanta and Charlotte are each a 2-hour drive away. Greenville, South Carolina is less than an hour away.
Applying
Graduate applicants are selected based on demonstrated scholarship (GRE scores, GPA, undergraduate institution), references, field experience, stated interests, and professional goals. Individual faculty members generally require personal interviews with applicants to determine their interests and compatibility with specific research projects. Field experience, computer and communication skills, and the applicant’s ability to work with others are important considerations.
Applicants may apply on the Web at http://www.grad.clemson.edu/Admission.php.Applications, along with a $70 nonrefundable fee for domestic applicants, $80 for international applicants, should be received no later than five weeks prior to registration. Every required item in support of the application must be on file by that date. The application deadline for Spring semester is February 1.
Faculty Listing
- Yuji Arai, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Delaware, Environmental soil chemistry, molecular environmental chemistry.
- Lisa J. Bain, Associate Professor, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, Cellular toxicology.
- William S .Baldwin, Associate Professor, Ph.D., North Carolina State University, Endocrine toxicology.
- William W. Bowerman, Professor; Ph.D., Michigan State. Avian and wildlife toxicology.
- Julia Brumaghim, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign. Bioinorganic chemistry
- David E. Brune, Emeritus Professor, Ph.D., University of Missouri. Agriculture and biological engineering
- Elizabeth R. Carraway, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Virginia. Environmental chemistry.
- James W. Castle, Professor, Ph.D., University of Illinois. Geology.
- Alan W. Elzerman, Professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin. Environmental engineering and earth Sciences.
- Vincent S. Gallicchio, Professor, Ph.D., New York University, Biomedical science
- Alan R. Johnson, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Tennessee. Landscape toxicology and ecotoxicology.
- Stephen J. Klaine, Professor; Ph.D., Rice University. Aquatic toxicology.
- Cindy M. Lee, Ph.D. Colorado School of Mines. Environmental Chemistry
- Tamara L. McNealy, Assistant Professor, Ph.D. University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg Germany. Virulence mechanisms of intracellular respiratory pathogens
- John C. Morse, Emeritus Professor, Ph.D., University of Georgia. Entomology/aquatic insects, Trichoptera systematics.
- Charles D. Rice, Professor; Ph.D., College of William and Mary. Immunobiology and immunotoxicology.
- John H. Rodgers, Professor; Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Ecotoxicology and wetlands.
- Mark A. Schlautman, Associate Professor; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology. Biological engineering.
- Calvin L. Schoulties, Professor, Ph.D., University of Kentucky. Plant pathology
- Thomas E. Schwedler, Emeritus Professor, Ph.D., Auburn University. Fish health management
- Peter Van den Hurk, Associate Professor; Ph.D., College of William and Mary. Biochemical toxicology and enzymology.
- Sarah A. White, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Clemson University. Agrochemical bioremediation .
For More Information
Dr. Lisa J. Bain
Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program Coordinator
Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Clemson University
132 Long Hall
Clemson, SC 29634
Phone: (864) 656-5050
FAX: (864) 656-0435
E-mail: lbain@clemson.edu
