A major in Pharmacology provides a modern understanding of how medicines produce their effects on the body and how such knowledge is used to alleviate suffering caused by disease.
Introduction
Pharmacology is the branch of science that seeks to provide a deep understanding of the effects of drugs on the human body.
Some of the main 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?
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Course description, features and facilities
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.
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Student profile
Student profile – Emily Fielding
I chose to major in Pharmacology because I was working at a pharmacy part time and had developed a desire to understand how and why drugs work . I wanted to study something relevant to real life.
Our practical sessions were great fun and the lecturers were all really passionate about their fields. Since then I have been working as a Medical Representative for Servier Laboratories. I love my job! Working in pharmaceutical sales means I’m helping assist research and development, thereby making major clinical trials possible with a view to discovering new medical innovations. I would recommend Pharmacology to anyone who has an interest in Science but wants to be able to apply their studies outside of a laboratory.
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Structure
UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.
As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.
You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.
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Career opportunities
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).
I want to be a…
This course could lead to becoming a:
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Further study opportunities
Students with a Pharmacology major can pursue further studies at honours level, undertake a Graduate Diploma or Masters in Pharmacology, or complete a PhD.
Other further study options include the Master of Biological Arts, Master of Forensic Science,Master of Nursing Science, Master of Teaching, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
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Check the Entrance requirements
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Additional information
- Recommended subjects
- English competency
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
| 80 |
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
| 29 |
Additional information
Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).
Recommended subjects
| Qualification and recommended subjects |
|---|
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3C/3D
- A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
|
International Baccalaureate
- A score of 4 or above in HL Chemistry
- A score of 4 or above in HL Mathematics
- A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)
|
English competency
University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.
The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.
Advanced standing
If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).
Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.
On this page
- Prerequisites and minimum scores
- Advanced standing
Prerequisites and minimum scores
| Qualification and prerequisite subjects | Course entry score |
|---|
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies) | 29 |
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus | 66 |
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics. | 8 |
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D | 63 |
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 85 |
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 270 |
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year. | 12 |
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics | 525 |
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 12 |
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 60 |
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 4.14 |
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 15.70 |
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D | 3.17 |
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics. | 8 |
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics | 4.60 |
These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.
If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications
you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.
Advanced standing
Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).
How to apply
This course is available to Australian and international students.
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.
First semester entry
Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre.
Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
Second semester entry
Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.
After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.
How to apply
Information for
UWA Admissions Centre (M353)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Location
- UWA Map
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
- 1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
- Fax
- (+61 8) 6488 1226
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Opening hours
- Monday – Friday, 9am–4pm
On this page
- First semester entry
- Second semester entry
- How to apply
- Fees
- Information for…
- Contact details - admission information
First semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
You must also:
Second semester entry
International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.
You must also:
How to apply
This contains text about How to Apply - International
Fees
$30980, per year.
This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student fee will depend on the mix of units you choose. The international student fees page has further details.
Information for
UWA International Centre (M352)
- Address
- The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
- Telephone
- (+61 8) 6488 3939
- Fax
- (+61 8) 9382 4071
- Contacts
- International Centre
- Enquire on-line
- askUWA
- Location
- UWA Map
- Opening hours
- Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm
- About UWA
- Find out what makes UWA an internationally recognised university.
- Foundation and preparatory courses
- There are a range of programs available to help give you the opportunity to gain the academic qualifications or prerequisites required for admission to UWA.
- Social life on campus
- There are over 20,000 students enrolled at UWA - lots of new friends not only from Perth and Western Australia but from all areas in Australia and around the world.
