A good knowledge of pharmacology is an important part of the training of pharmacologists, medical doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and toxicologists.
Aside from pharmacologists who study drug action for its own sake, other scientists often find pharmacology useful in their own area of specialisation. For example, physiologists, biochemists, zoologists, and psychologists may use drugs in order to define the function of a biological system that they are studying.
In addition, many other people are interested in pharmacology simply because drugs occupy such a prominent place in everyday life: not only does much of modern medicine consist of drug prescription, but a number of recreational drugs (e.g. alcohol) are used and abused in modern society.
There are four ways in which you can study Pharmacology and Toxicology at a undergraduate level:
- Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Pharmacology
- Minor in Pharmacology
- Minor in Environmental Toxicology
- Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Drug and Human Health
Furthermore, you could also spend their summers doing summer studentships.
Information for new applicants
Pharmacology is the science of the effects of drugs and other chemicals on biological systems, whilst, toxicology is closely related to pharmacology but specialises in the study of the harmful effects of drugs and other chemicals on biological systems.
The Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a three-year undergraduate degree that emphasis both pharmacology and toxicology. The application form should be submitted via eVision.
Course advising at the University of Otago
Contact details
Please email pharmacology@otago.ac.nz for further information.
Programme requirements
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Majoring in Pharmacology
| Year | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100 level |
BIOC 192 Foundation of Biochemistry CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health At least two of: CELS 191 Cells and Molecular Biology |
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 |
Minor in Pharmacology
Pharmacology can also be 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), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) 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, BIOL 123. (ii) Prerequisites for PHAL 221 are two of BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 111, CHEM 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, BIOL 112, BIOL 123 and 54 further points. |
18 18 18 |
| 300 level |
Two of: PHAL 303 Neuropharmacology |
36 |
| Total |
90 |
Minor in Environmental Toxicology
Environmental Toxicology examines the impact of environmental pollutants on humans and wildlife. Exactly how these chemicals modify normal function will be learned as well as how they are transported throughout the environment. In order to understand these concepts the student will have a background in both chemistry and pharmacology.
Environmental Toxicology can be a minor subject for 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), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree.
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100 level | See below | |
| 200 level |
PHAL 211 Introductory Pharmacology PHAL 221 Drug Discovery and Development One 200 level CHEM paper (i) Prerequisites for PHAL 211 are BIOC 192, CHEM 191, and two of CELS 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192,BIOL 112, BIOL 123. (ii) Prerequisites for PHAL 221 are two of BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 111, CHEM 191, HUBS 191, HUBS 192, BIOL 112, BIOL 123 and 54 further points. |
18 18 18 |
| 300 level |
Two of: PHAL 306 Human Toxicology |
36 |
| Total |
90 |
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) majoring in Drugs and Human Health
The Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc) degree was introduced in 2002 with the aim of providing a better-integrated and more flexible programme for the training of graduates in the biomedical sciences.
The degree is complementary to traditional discipline-based majors (e.g. Anatomy, Biochemistry, Genetics, Human Nutrition, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Physiology) currently offered within the Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree, but allows a more comprehensive and integrated approach to the field as a whole, along with a greater freedom of choice from a wider diversity of papers.
The biomedical sciences and related areas in biotechnology have experienced unprecedented growth in recent years, both within New Zealand and internationally. This degree aims at producing graduates with a sound and comprehensive grounding in the key principles underpinning modern biological and medical research and their potential applications in biotechnology
Drugs and Human Health is available as a major subject for the degree of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (BBiomedSc).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100 level |
BIOC 192 Foundation of Biochemistry CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health CELS 191 Cells and Molecular Biology HUBS 191 Human Body System 1 HUBS 192 Human Body System 2 PHSI 191 Biological Physics 18 further points |
18 18 18 18 18 18 18 |
| 200 level |
PHAL 211 Introductory Pharmacology PHAL 221 Introductory Therapeutics and Toxicology PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology, or PHSL 233 Cellular, Gastrointestinal and Renal Physiology At least 54 further points from ANAT 241, BIOC 223, CHEM 205, MICR 221, MICR 223, PATH 201, PHSL 232, PHSL 233 18 further points |
18 18 18 54 18 |
| 300 level |
PHAL 304 Human Pharmacology PHAL 306 Human Toxicology At least 36 points from ANAT 332, BIOC 353, CHEM 305, MICR 334, PATH 302, PHAL 303 (or PHAL 305), PHSL 343, PHSL 344, PHSL 345 36 further points |
18 18 36 36 |
| Total | 360 |
