Pharmacology

trays of pills

About Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the science of drug action on biological systems, and UBC's program focuses on the experimental and laboratory aspects of the field. You'll learn both the whole-animal and isolated-tissue techniques, as well as biochemical and chemical procedures. You'll also gain the ability to search for information, design experiments, carry out experiments individually and as a member of a team, analyze data, and communicate and write effectively.

Program Details

The pharmacology program is competitive and admits a maximum of 24 students per year. You'll learn in lectures and labs instructed by world-renowned researchers and medical specialists. Pharmacology is different from pharmaceutical sciences, which is its own faculty at UBC and offers a professional program for pharmacists. 

Skills

  • Comprehension and identification of connections across complex processes and systems 
  • Analytical method development or validation (QA/QC) 
  • Quantitative and qualitative research and data synthesis 
  • Application of logical and systematic thought processes to understand the biochemical or physiological effects of drugs 
  • Collaboration with cross-discipline laboratory teams 
  • Written and verbal presentation of scientific data to non-technical audiences 
  • Laboratory techniques in compliance with quality control and safety regulations 
  • Usage of ELISA, PCR, gel-electrophoresis, protein assays, and western blot techniques

Career Options

With an undergraduate degree

  • Business development officer
  • Clinical trials coordinator
  • Food and drug inspector
  • Laboratory technician
  • Patent agent
  • Pharmacy aide
  • Pharmacy technical assistant
  • Pharmacy assistant
  • Pharmacy technician
  • Pharmaceutical sales representative
  • Product testing associate
  • Quality control technician
  • Regulatory affairs officer
  • Technical writer

With additional study

  • Allergist
  • Analytical chemist
  • Anesthesiologist
  • Biofuel analyst
  • Bioinformatician
  • Biostatistician 
  • Clinical pharmacist
  • Clinical research associate
  • Community health physician
  • Community pharmacist
  • Consumer protection specialist
  • Epidemiologist
  • Genetic counselor
  • Hospital pharmacist
  • Industrial pharmacist
  • Medical biochemist
  • Medical doctor
  • Nuclear medicin specialist
  • Patent attorney
  • Pharmaceutical chemist
  • Pharmacist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Retail pharmacist
  • Teacher/Professor
  • Phychopharmacologist
  • Toxicologist

UBC Science Pharmacology Graduates Work As

  • Resident Physician in Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario 
  • Pharmacist, Wellness Pharmacy 
  • Medical Student, University of British Columbia 
  • PhD Candidate in Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia 
  • Dentist, Smiles Unlimited Dental Centre 
  • Research Assistant, Eye Care Centre – Vancouver General Hospital

Related Professional Groups

More Career Resources

Meet Our Alumni

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

We honour xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam) on whose ancestral, unceded territory UBC Vancouver is situated. UBC Science is committed to building meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples so we can advance Reconciliation and ensure traditional ways of knowing enrich our teaching and research.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Faculty of Science

Office of the Dean, Earth Sciences Building
2178–2207 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC Canada
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