Academic Phase

The principal objective of the academic phase is to provide didactic and research training in the core areas of preventive medicine and occupational and environmental medicine, while providing in-depth training in an area of greatest relevance to the resident's educational objectives. The residency program accomplishes this objective by providing a choice of two graduate degree programs in which the residents can enroll: the Master of Science (MS) degree program in Environmental Toxicology, based in the UCI College of Medicine, or the MS degree program in Environmental Health Science and Policy, based in the UCI School of Social Ecology. The residents must complete one of the degree programs as part of the academic phase of the residency program.

Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology. The most common training track chosen by residents during the academic phase is to enroll in the MS degree program in Environmental Toxicology. This degree program is offered by the Department of Community and Environmental Medicine with the collaboration of faculty in the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. This track is an outstanding option for residents since it provides in-depth training in toxicology, while satisfying the course requirements for preventive medicine. The residents complete required courses in toxicology and do an individual research project leading to a Master's thesis. Options for elective courses in the toxicology program are used by residents to complete the required course work for the preventive medicine residency program. The degree program requirements are specified in the University catalog, which is available on the UC Irvine website.

Required or commonly taken elective courses taken during this degree program include: Principles of Toxicology, Target Organ Toxicology (2 courses), Experimental Design & Interpretation of Toxicology Studies, Neurotoxicology, Inhalation Toxicology, Environmental Toxicology, Industrial Toxicology, Toxicology Seminar, Data Analysis (statistics), Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Management of Health Care Organizations or Public Health Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Health Psychology, and Environmental Epidemiology.

Master of Science in Environmental Health Science and Policy. Residents may enroll in the MS degree program in Environmental Health Science and Policy, which is offered as a collaborative program of the School of Social Ecology and the College of Medicine. This track is appropriate for physicians who wish to emphasize training in environmental and occupational health policy, management, behavioral sciences, or ecology. Because both UCI degree programs are offered through the same institution, residents take the same preventive medicine core courses while majoring in different areas. The residents complete required courses in environmental health science and policy and do an individual research project leading to a Master's thesis. Several of the courses required for the degree program satisfy the core course requirements in preventive medicine. Residents in this degree program may also take toxicology courses available through the other degree program, if they wish. The degree program requirements are specified in the University catalog, which is available on the UC Irvine website.

Required or commonly taken elective courses taken during this degree program include:
Data Analysis (statistics) (2 courses), Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences I: Physical and Human Interaction, Environmental Health Sciences II: The Physical Environment, Management of Health Care Organizations or Public Health Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Health Psychology, Environmental Epidemiology, and Industrial Toxicology.