Pharmacological Sciences

Within our program, students advance towards a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology. Pharmacology is often confused with pharmacy – but the two fields differ greatly. Pharmacy, a separate profession, is responsible for the preparation, allocation, and the appropriate use of medication. Pharmacology however, is the science of drug actions on biological systems. It involves knowledge of the chemical properties, biological effects and therapeutic uses of drugs. Examples of pharmacological studies include the exploration of cellular mechanistic effects by chemical agents, and the development of preventive measures and treatments for diseases. The field of pharmacology integrates knowledge from many scientific disciplines in order to develop new drugs and discover new therapies.

Some helpful websites to explain the differences and similarities in more detail:

Click here for "About Pharmacology" found in The American Society for Pharmacology and Experiemental Therapeutics (ASPET) website.

Click here for "Pharmacy versus Pharmacology: How Are They Different?" found in the Pharmacy College Application Service (PharmCAS) website.