Pharmacology schools enable students to pursue a
professional career in the fields of medicine and nursing, and
many graduates are able to obtain positions within a pharmacy
or other medical organization. Pharmacologists are trained to
be medical scientists to study biological systems and conduct
research in a variety of medical fields. A pharmacology career
begins by fulfilling all course and educational requirements
at a pharmacology school, and then gaining relevant work
experience in the field.
Pharmacologists can work toward a lifelong career as an
analyst, research scientists or even pursue teaching.
Interdisciplinary programs in the field of pharmacology may
include cellular and molecular pharmacology, physiology,
molecular biology and biomedical engineering. Some pharmacology
school students choose to pursue a career as a
pharmacist.
What
is Pharmacology?
Pharmacology
is a branch of science that dates back thousands of years;
people have long turned to plants and herbs to understand how
the human body reacts to different properties and chemicals
present in the natural world around us, and today's
pharmacology educational programs are based around these core
principles. Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their
effects on the body and biological systems, and draws upon
several fields of science. It is considered to be a
multidisciplinary approach to science, and draws from
scientific fields such as:
-
Biochemistry
-
Analytical
chemistry
-
Genetics
-
Physiology
-
Microbiology
-
Medicinal
chemistry
-
Pathology
-
Immunology
Cellular
biology
Molecular biology
Chemotherapy
Toxicology
Cardiovascular pharmacology
Pharmacology
Universities - What to Expect
Pharmacology universities allow students to pursue
undergraduate, graduate and PhD programs in the biomedical
sciences and gain the knowledge and experience they need for a
rewarding pharmacology career. Students who are
considering a career in the fields of pharmacology or
toxicology can also learn the necessary technical, personal
and professional skills they need to become leaders in their
industry.
Pharmacology universities provide the education and
research opportunities for a well-rounded intellectual and
educational career path.
Attending pharmacology school allows students to choose from several career paths after graduation, and most pharmacology students find work as a pharmacist in the healthcare field. Pharmacists are responsible for distributing prescription drugs, dispensing medication, counseling patients on drug use, working with physicians to formulate a drug treatment plan, and working with hospitalized patients to ensure they are taking their prescribed medications. Some pharmacology professionals and pharmacists choose to specialize in specific drug therapy including nuclear medicine, geriatric pharmacy, intravenous nutrition support or psychiatric pharmacy.
Pharmacology Courses and Educational Programs
Pharmacology courses prepare students for a rewarding and successful career in the field of pharmacology, and most require a strong understanding of the scientific research method and related processes. Pharmacology course programs allow students to learn skills and knowledge in the following areas:
Developing new drugs to improve the effects of treatment
Understanding how drugs work at the molecular level
Developing clinical guidelines for safe use of common drugs
Common pharmacology courses found at pharmacology schools include:
Mechanisms of Drug Action
Problems in Pharmacology
Pharmacogenomics
Neuropsychopharmacology
Problems in Investigative Pharmacology
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Research
Students who complete their Bachelor's Degree of Science can apply for graduate admission into pharmacology school, but many can begin working in laboratories during their junior or senior year prior to admission. Students interested in pursuing a career as a pharmacist must obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Those who wish to conduct research in the field of pharmacology must also obtain a Master's or Ph.D. in the field.
More information about pharmacology courses and educational programs can be found through the American Board of Clinical Pharmacology and the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
Taking Pharmacology Courses Online
Students who cannot attend a campus or wish to complete their coursework from a distance can take some pharmacology courses online. Taking pharmacology courses online makes it easier to obtain the training and knowledge needed to complete a degree program, and students have an opportunity to interact with professors and students from all around the world. Many pharmacology universities around the country offer online courses, programs and even lab training via the Internet. This allows students to pursue their pharmacology career while undertaking a full-time job or managing personal responsibilities.
Pharmacology Career Options
Students can prepare for their pharmacology career by taking biology, physics, mathematics, and chemistry classes in high school, and then pursuing a bachelor's degree of science in college. Pharmacology graduate programs are the next step, followed by a Ph.D. in pharmacology. This process typically takes up to five years after earning a bachelor's degree.
Pharmacology career options include:
Working in a pharmacy or drug store as a pharmacist or lead pharmacist
Conducting research for a pharmaceutical company
Conducting research at an educational institution's lab
Working with a physician or doctor as a pharmacist or aide
The average salary for a pharmacologist who has completed all necessary years of training is $91,407 - $118,828 per year. Employment of pharmacologists looks promising through 2010, as demand for specialized healthcare continues to grow at a rapid rate.
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