Faculty of Science
Pharmacology

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Faculty of Science

The subjects in pharmacology introduce students to the unified study of the interaction of chemical agents and living matter. The emphasis is placed on the principles of drug action and on the reactions of living processes to drugs. Toxicology, a division of pharmacology, is concerned with the adverse effects on life of therapeutic drugs and other chemicals. Pharmacology 534-201 provides an introduction to the important concepts of pharmacology and toxicology and may be taken to provide the basis for more advanced studies in pharmacology and toxicology at the 300-level or to supplement a major study in another discipline.

Generic skills that students will develop through the study of pharmacology include experimental design and technique, computer skills, organisational skills, bioinformatics, data presentation and analysis, working in teams, and communication skills.

1. Suggested subjects

1.1. Pharmacology major

Students who commenced study towards a BSc, BASc, or BSc combined course during or after 1999 are required to complete a major area of study which comprises subjects at 100, 200 and 300-levels. The requirements for a major study in pharmacology are outlined elsewhere in this Handbook, on PHARMACOLOGY. A pharmacology major may be combined with a major in anatomy and cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, neuroscience, pathology or physiology.

1.2. Pharmacology combined with other subjects

Students who commenced study prior to 1999 may combine pharmacology with other subjects, for example:

1.2.1. 200-level subjects

Pharmacology 534-201 with subjects selected from:
Biochemistry 521-211, 521-212 and 521-220
Physiology 536-201, 536-211 and 536-202
Chemistry 610-210 /211, 610-220 /221, 610-240/241, 610-260
Anatomy 516-201
Microbiology 526-201, 526-202, 526-204, 526-205 or 526-221

1.2.2. 300-level subjects

Pharmacology - all 300-level pharmacology subjects

Pharmacology and other biomedical subjects - at least 50 points in 300-level pharmacology (normally 534-301 and any other two 300-level pharmacology subjects), with selected subjects from the following: anatomy and cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, pathology, physiology or psychology.

Refer to the relevant subject information for details of prerequisites.

1.2.3. Neuroscience

Subject 534-302 Neuropharmacology can be undertaken as part of a neuroscience sequence. Students wishing to pursue the neuroscience sequence may be allowed to undertake 534-302 without 534-301 as a prerequisite.

1.2.4. Biotechnology

Both second year 534-201 (before 1998: 534-201 and 202) and third year subjects 534-301, 534-304, (before 1998: 534-301, 534-302, 534-305, 534-306) in pharmacology are approved subjects for inclusion in the Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology course (contact the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences for details).

2. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

For information about faculty and departmental entry requirements for honours, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

3. Further Information

Department of Pharmacology
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 7843
Fax: +61 3 8344 0241
Web: http://www.pharmacology.unimelb.edu.au

Subject descriptions

200-level subject

534-201 Pharmacology

300-level subjects

534-301 Principles of Pharmacology
534-302 Neuropharmacology
534-303 Molecular Pharmacology
534-304 Pharmacology of Therapeutic Substances
534-305 Toxicology
534-306 Drug Discovery
534-307 Ocular Pharmacology