This major will provide an appreciation of how drugs produce changes in such key bodily functions as blood pressure, lung performance or pain perception. You will learn how common drugs target specific receptors in body tissues, exerting effects as either agonists or antagonists. You will also explore the major biochemical pathways that are activated when drugs interact with their respective receptors. Other key topics include pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, drug dependence, toxicology, pharmacogenomics and drug discovery. The major provides a basis for further training in pharmacology leading to a research career or to further study in complementary fields such as pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy and science education. Since pharmacology is a very practical area of science, theoretical concepts from lectures are reinforced and expanded upon during regular lab classes. The Pharmacology and Anaesthesiology Unit is well equipped for the latest methods of pharmacology teaching and research. When completing a major in pharmacology at UWA you will be taught by excellent lecturers who are actively engaged in modern biomedical research.

Graduates in pharmacology can pursue a range of career options. As with most other biomedical disciplines, the prospects of satisfying employment are enhanced by completing an Honours or higher degree. Graduates in pharmacology have typically pursued a number of destinations following completion of their majors: Research in a hospital (diagnostic or research lab), employment in a pharmaceutical industry (research or commercial setting) Clinical trials coordinators State or Federal Regulatory agencies with oversight for drug use (e.g. Therapeutic Goods Administration, State Health Department), Science education (secondary or tertiary sector), Vocational study (e.g. medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc).