What Can I do With a Major

Major: Pharmacology

Description of Major:

Pharmacology study the effects of drugs, gases, dusts, and other materials; and chemical agents of therapeutic value or with potential toxicity, on biological systems or on the tissue and physiological processes of animals and human beings. Pharmacologists conduct tests on animals, such as rats, guinea pigs, and mice, to determine the effects of various drugs and medical compounds on organs and tissues. They also note the effects on circulation, respiration, digestion, or other vital processes. Pharmacologists note the type, quantity, and timing of medicines administered as part of the experiment. They make blood smears from time to time and perform autopsies to study the results of the experiments.

Pharmacologists standardize drug dosages or methods of immunizing against industrial diseases by correlating results of animal experiments with results obtained from clinical experimentation on human beings. They investigate preventive methods and remedies for diseases such as silicosis, and lead, mercury, and ammonia poisoning. Some pharmacologists may develop new or improved drugs and medicines. They analyze food preservatives and colorings, vermin poisons, and other materials to determine toxic or nontoxic properties. Pharmacologists also standardize procedures for the manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.

Related Career Titles:

Public-Health Microbiologist
Pharmacologist
Pharmacist
Analytical Chemist
Production Chemist
Hospital
Retail Pharmacist
Pharmacological microbiologist
General pharmacologist
Toxicologist
Metabolic pharmacologist
Alcohol-mortality researcher
Substance abuse technician/researcher
Medicinal plant expert
Marine pharmacologist

Employment Areas :

Pharmaceutical, chemical, and food industries
Schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, and veterinary medicine
Nonprofit research organizations, foundations, and hospitals
Federal and local government agencies
Drugs, medicines, and vaccines
Laboratory equipment
Animal organs and tissues and isolated cellular preparations
Gases, dust, preservatives, dyes, and other substances
Reports, articles, and other data

Related Links:

American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
http://www.aspet.org/

American Institute of Biological Sciences
http://www.aibs.org/

American Board of Clinical Pharmacology
http://abcp.net/

American College of Clinical Pharmacology
http://www.accp1.org/

American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientist
http://www.aapspharmaceutica.com/