Pharmacology

The pharmacology major is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the science behind drugsóhow they are made, their uses and their effects on living systems. Students learn how different types of drugs affect the human body and how they are used for different purposes, such as correcting hormonal imbalances, treating symptoms and managing pain. They also learn how drugs are absorbed into the body, how drugs interact with each other and the mathematics behind dosages. Coursework provides a strong foundation in science and mathematics early on. Classes you may take in a pharmacology major include: anatomy & physiology, biochemistry, toxicology, applied statistics for the life sciences, genetics, nueropharmacology and biotechnology. Students also generally participate in a research projects before they graduate.

For those interested in science and math as they apply to health care, pharmacology is the major for you. Not only is pharmacology considered a great pre-med major at the undergraduate level, it also prepares you for graduate school, after which your career opportunities will greatly improve. Those who graduate from pharmacology programs can go on to become college professors and researchers, although other options include drug discovery, drug development and drug regulation. Some pharmacology majors go on to work for the government in the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), where they work in a variety of capacities.