Overview of Pharmacology and Toxicology

Pharmacology and Toxicology are interrelated scientific areas of study that focus on the nature of drugs and other substances that act on living cells and organisms. Pharmacology is the study of how substances interact with living cells to cause a physiological response, while Toxicology is the study of how those substances can be harmful. Students in Pharmacology & Toxicology programs explore the interactions between chemosynthetic, biological, and environmental agents and living organisms.

Career Opportunities Associated with Pharmacology and Toxicology

The field of Pharmacology & Toxicology offer a variety of career choices to students who delve into the disciplines. Graduates from this program are prepared to pursue a variety of career paths, including pharmaceutical development, clinical research, health management, regulatory affairs, regulatory compliance, health administration, and more. In addition, the program know-how can be used to open doors to career paths in environmental health, pharmacovigilance, toxicology etc.

Internship and Co-op Opportunities Related to Pharmacology and Toxicology

As the study of pharmacology and toxicology involves the application of both scientific research and practical investigation, most universities offer internship or co-op opportunities with various companies related to these fields. These programs typically provide students with the chance to gain hands-on experience in fields such as drug design, drug manufacturing and development, and toxicology.

Specialized Tracks or Concentrations within Pharmacology and Toxicology

Depending on their academic or professional goals, there are several specialized tracks or concentrations within Pharmacology & Toxicology that students may choose to pursue. For example, Specializations such as Pharmacogenomics, Neuropharmacology, Drug Safety, and Toxicology are growing in importance and specialization.

How Pharmacology and Toxicology Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education

Pharmacology and Toxicology provide an excellent background for those looking to pursue further education or graduate studies at either the masters or doctoral level. Students learn the fundamental scientific principles related to drugs and other substances, while also gaining the hands-on experience needed to apply that knowledge in the classroom and on the job. Graduate programs related to Pharmacology & Toxicology typically draw upon coursework in general sciences, such as biochemistry and immunology.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Pharmacology and Toxicology

With the advancement of science and technology, the improvement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been noticed in facilitating faster, more accurate and reliable drug design, toxicity testing, and medical research. There has been immense growth in research related to the development of AI-driven programs targeted for use in drug development, which could revolutionize the way drugs are developed, tested, and approved. AI will also be used to enable the efficient data analysis required for increased accuracy in toxicity testing and drug safety analysis.

The Career Outlook for Pharmacology and Toxicology

The field of pharmaceuticals and toxicology offer strong job opportunities with numerous career pathways. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists earned a median annual salary of $123,670 in 2019. The average salary of a toxicologist was $86,325 in 2019. The job growth outlook for pharmacists is 5% for 2020-2030, and for Toxicologists it is 6%, indicating a strong job market for the foreseeable future.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Pharmacology and Toxicology:

University of California-Santa Barbara, Salary: $46,278

University of California-Davis, Salary: $40,455

CUNY York College, Salary: $18,907

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology.