Pharmacology is the branch of science that seeks to provide a deep understanding of the effects of drugs on the human body. Some questions addressed are: how do medicines produce their effects on specific body systems such as the cardiovascular or central nervous systems? How do drugs act at the cellular and molecular level? How can we avoid their toxic effects? How does the body protect itself against drugs and other foreign chemicals? Why do many drugs work better in some patients than in others? You'll 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. This major provides an appreciation of how drugs produce changes in such key bodily functions as blood pressure, lung performance or pain perception. Since pharmacology is a very practical area of science, theoretical concepts from lectures are reinforced and expanded upon during regular laboratory classes. You will be taught by leading lecturers who are actively engaged in modern biomedical research.

Career Pathways UWA graduates in Pharmacology have pursued a number of pathways including 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, science education (secondary or tertiary sector) and vocational study. As with most other biomedical disciplines, the prospects of satisfying employment are enhanced by completing an honours or higher degree.