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Study Pharmacology at Otago

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Apply for the Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)

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Apply for the Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) through the Dunedin campus in 2021

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Apply for the Bachelor of Science (BSc)

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Apply for the Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))

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Apply for the Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad) through the Dunedin campus in 2021

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Apply for the Master of Science (MSc)

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Apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)

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Overview

Pharmacology is about the effects of chemicals on living organisms. In practice it deals mainly with the effects of drugs on animals, especially human beings. It is concerned with how drugs produce their effects, the sources, properties, distribution, elimination and uses of drugs and other chemicals. Drug effects may be useful, as in medicine (clinical pharmacology), or harmful (toxicology).

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Contact details

Email pharmacology@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/pharmacology

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Qualifications

Papers

See the full list of Pharmacology (PHAL) papers.

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Programme requirements

Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Pharmacology

Level Papers Points
100-level

BIOC 192  Foundations of Biochemistry

CHEM 191  The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health

At least two of:
CELS 191  Cell and Molecular Biology
HUBS 191  Human Body Systems 1
HUBS 192  Human Body Systems 2

18

18

36
200-level

PHAL 211  Introductory Pharmacology

PHAL 221  Drug Discovery and Development

At least one 200-level ANAT, BIOC, GENE, MICR or PHSL paper

18

18

18
300-level

PHAL 303  Neuropharmacology

PHAL 304  Human Pharmacology

PHAL 305  Molecular and Immunopharmacology

PHAL 306  Human Toxicology

18

18

18

18
Plus

162 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above.

Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science

 162
Total   360

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Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) in Pharmacology

Papers

  • PHAL 490  Dissertation

  • PHAL 421  General Pharmacology and Toxicology

  • Two of:
    • PHAL 423  Neuropharmacology
    • PHAL 426  Clinical Pharmacology
    • PHAL 427  Special Topic: Cancer Pharmacology
    • PHAL 428  Current Research Literature in Toxicology
    • PHAL 430  Advanced Topic in Pharmacology and Toxicology
    • PHAL 431  Special Project

    Prerequisites:
    At least five 300-level papers including at least four of:
    PHAL 303  Neuropharmacology
    PHAL 304  Human Pharmacology
    PHAL 305  Molecular and Immunopharmacology
    PHAL 306  Human Toxicology
    PHAL 307  Current Topic (highly recommended)

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Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Pharmacology

Papers

  • PHAL 480  Research Project

  • PHAL 421  General Pharmacology and Toxicology

  • Three of:

    • PHAL 423  Neuropharmacology
    • PHAL 426  Clinical Pharmacology
    • PHAL 427  Special Topic: Cancer Pharmacology
    • PHAL 428  Current Research Literature in Toxicology
    • PHAL 430  Advanced Topic in Pharmacology and Toxicology
    • PHAL 431  Special Project

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Master of Science (MSc) in Pharmacology

Papers and Thesis

  • PHAL 495  Master's Thesis Preparation

  • PHAL 421  General Pharmacology and Toxicology

  • Three of:

  • Thesis: PHAL 5

    Note: The papers are normally taken before undertaking the thesis.

 

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Minor subject requirements

Pharmacology as a minor subject for a BA, MusB, BPA, BTheol, BSc, BAppSc, BCom, BHealSc, or BASc degree

Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), or Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) degree

Level Papers Points
100-level

See Below

 
200-level

PHAL 211  Introductory Pharmacology

PHAL 221  Drug Discovery and Development

one 200-level ANAT, BIOC, GENE, MICR or PHSL paper

(i) Prerequisites for PHAL 211 are BIOC 192, CHEM 191, and two of CELS 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, BIOL 112, 123.
(ii) Prerequisites for PHAL 221 are two of BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 111, CHEM 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, BIOL 112, 123 and 54 further points.

18

18

18
300-level

Two of:
PHAL 303  Neuropharmacology
PHAL 304  Human Pharmacology
PHAL 305  Molecular and Immunopharmacology
PHAL 306  Human Toxicology

36
Total   90

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