PHARMACOLOGY By: Claire Stevens

SETTING

Pharmacologists spend the majority of their time working in offices and labs.

They spend very little time working outdoors, but have to travel fairly often.

TYPE OF ACTIVITY

Pharmacologists do in-depth research on drugs, disease and their relationship with the human body. The goal of a pharmacologist is to better understand the way different drugs interact with the human body, as well as to develop new drugs to combat diseases that don’t yet have cures. They spend much if their time working in labs conducting experiments.

SUPERVISION

Pharmacologists are generally in charge of the projects they are working on, and are not directly supervised by anyone. However, they may have to supervise any support staff that works under them.

HISTORY

The process of using healers and herbal therapies to treat patients has been around for thousands of years, however, pharmacology really took off around the 1930’s when single dose chemically created drugs and treatments began to be produced in greater quantities. Since then pharmacology has expanded into many different disciplines and many new technologies have been developed to aid in the creation of new drugs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Pharmacology is a full-time position. The hours are dictated by what projects they are currently working on, and can change quite a bit from project to project, but in general pharmacologists work 37-40 hours per week. It is not mandatory, however, pharmacologists can choose to be a part of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology if they wish. Unless they are a professor, holiday time is flexible. If a pharmacologist is employed by a pharmaceutical company they can expect benefits like competitive healthcare, dental and pension plans.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

The pharmacology field is projected to increase by 13% from 2012 to 2022. Advancements in medical technologies are expected to create sustained growth in pharmacology.

RELATED CAREERS

•Pharmacist

•Doctor

•Microbiologist

•Pathologist

•Toxicologist

POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS•UBC

•University of Toronto

•University of Alberta

•Dalhousie University

•University of Saskatchewan

•McGill

SAMPLE PROGRAM Year 1

BIOL 112-Cell and Molecular Biology

CHEM 110- General Chemistry 1

CHEM 120- General Chemistry 2

MATH 139- Calculus 1 with Pre-calculus

MATH 141- Calculus 2

PHYS 101- Intro Physics—Mechanics

PHYS 102- Intro Physics—Electromagnetism

Plus either complementary courses

SAMPLE PROGRAM

Year 2

BIOL 200-Molecular Biology Plus complementary courses

BIOL 202- Basic Genetics

CHEM 212- Intro Organic Chemistry 1

CHEM 222- Intro Organic Chemistry 2

PHYG 209- Mammalian Physiology 1

PHYG 210- Mammalian Physiology 2

PHYG 212- Intro Physiology Lab 1

PHYG 213- Intro Physiology Lab 2

PHAR 200- Intro Pharmacology 1

Phar 201- Intro Pharmacology 2

SAMPLE PROGRAM

Year 3

BIOC 311-Metabolic Biochemistry

BIOL 301- Cell and Molecular Laboratory

PHAR 300- Drug Action

PHAR 301- Drugs and Disease

PHAR 303- Principles of Toxicology

Plus complementary courses

SAMPLE PROGRAM

Year 4

PHAR 598D1- Pharmacology research project

PHAR 598D2- Pharmacology research project

Plus 3 credits from an advanced level class

SAMPLE PROGRAM

After the completion of the 4 year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in pharmacology you could complete either a masters of doctorate in pharmacology, but it is not required for certification.