Postgraduate Study in Pharmacology
The science behind drugs.
Pharmacology is the science of the effects of drugs on biological systems, from the molecular level through to patient studies.
Toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals. Toxicology courses at Otago cover both environmental and human toxicology, with a particular emphasis on drugs and drug development.
Pharmacology and Toxicology are at the forefront of modern medicine with a focus on developing drugs to treat important conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, neurological conditions and heart disease. Understanding Pharmacology is key to advancing research in almost all areas of biomedical research, while Toxicology is key to understanding human impacts in a changing world.
Why study Pharmacology?
Most people are interested in pharmacology because drugs occupy such a prominent place in everyday life. Constant progress in medicine involves the design of new drugs that can cure cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and other medical conditions.
Pharmacology incorporates and applies a variety of biological sciences, such as biochemistry, chemistry, physiology, microbiology and genetics. Unlike pharmacy, which is about the preparation and dispensing of drugs, pharmacology is the science behind how drugs produce their effects on the body and what the body does to the drugs. Pharmacology also plays a key role in developing drugs of the future.
Toxicology at Otago examines the harmful effects of chemicals on the human body, as well as understanding the impact of chemicals on the environment and in our food supply.
A good knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology is also an important part of the training of medical doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses and physiotherapists. Other scientists often find pharmacology useful in their own specialisation. For example, physiologists, biochemists, zoologists and psychologists may use drugs to understand the biological system or disease they are studying.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Pharmacology as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Science (MSc)
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options, the MSc may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHAL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHAL231 | 2025 | Drugs and Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHAL241 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Drugs to Medicine | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL307 | 2025 | Current Topic | 18 points | Full Year |
| PHAL311 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Molecular Targets of Drugs | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL312 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Drugs and the Brain | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL313 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Medicines and Diseases | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHAL421 | 2025 | General Pharmacology and Toxicology | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL423 | 2025 | Neuropharmacology | 20 points | Full Year |
| PHAL428 | 2025 | Current Research Literature in Toxicology | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHAL430 | 2025 | Advanced Topic in Pharmacology and Toxicology | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHAL431 | 2025 | Special Project | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHAL480 | 2025 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| PHAL490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| PHAL495 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
Contacts
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
School of Biomedical Sciences
Email pharmacology@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/pharmacology
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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