Postgraduate study in Pharmacology
What can you study in Pharmacology?
Postgraduate study in Pharmacology focuses on understanding normal body functions (biochemical and physiological) and the disturbances that occur (pathological). You can learn about a wide range of topics, from the pharmacology of anaesthetics and analgesics, clinical and cancer pharmacology, to molecular and advanced toxicology.
Research interests open to exploration include:
- Anticancer drugs
- Clinical pharmacology
- Cancer clinical pharmacology
- Cancer preclinical pharmacology
- Disease progress and drug action
- Drug metabolism and toxicology
- Human neurodegeneration research
- Neural reprogramming and repair
- Neuro-immune interactions research
- New therapies for brain diseases
- Nutritional neurosciences
- Paediatric pharmacology
Structuring your postgraduate programme in Pharmacology
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BSc(Hons)) in Pharmacology
Requirement:
- 60 points from:
- MEDSCI 700 Drug Discovery Biology
- MEDSCI 701 Special Studies in Medical Science
- MEDSCI 715 Molecular Toxicology
- MEDSCI 716 Advanced Drug Disposition and Kinetics
- MEDSCI 717 Advanced Neuroscience: Neuropharmacology
- MEDSCI 718 Pharmacology of Anaesthetics and Analgesics
- MEDSCI 719 Pharmacometrics
- MEDSCI 720 Biomedical Research Techniques
- MEDSCI 721 Advanced Toxicology
- MEDSCI 722 Clinical Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 723 Cancer Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 744 Project Design in Biomedical Science
- MEDSCI 745 Drug Development
Or
- 45 points from:
- MEDSCI 700 Special Topic: Drug Discovery Biology
- MEDSCI 701 Special Studies in Medical Science
- MEDSCI 715 Molecular Toxicology
- MEDSCI 716 Advanced Drug Disposition and Kinetics
- MEDSCI 717 Advanced Neuroscience: Neuropharmacology
- MEDSCI 718 Pharmacology of Anaesthetics and Analgesics
- MEDSCI 719 Pharmacometrics
- MEDSCI 720 Biomedical Research Techniques
- MEDSCI 721 Advanced Toxicology
- MEDSCI 722 Clinical Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 723 Cancer Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 744 Project Design in Biomedical Science
- MEDSCI 745 Drug Development
And
- A further 15 points from 700-level courses in a related subject approved by the Head of Department.
- 60 points: PHARMCOL 787 Dissertation
The dissertation topic must be approved by the relevant Academic Head or nominee prior to enrolment.
Full details are available in the University of Auckland Calendar.
Master of Science (MSc) in Science in Pharmacology 120-point (one-year) Research Masters
Prerequisite:
- Completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 90 points in Pharmacology or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative
or
- Completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 90 points in Pharmacology including at least 75 points of 700 level courses, or the equivalent as approved by Senate or its representative
The requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II including at least 45 points in Pharmacology or an equivalent subject approved by the Academic Head or nominee.
Requirement:
Research masters
- 120 points:
The thesis topic for the 120 point MSc must be approved by the relevant Departmental Postgraduate Committee prior to enrolment in the degree.
Full details are available in the University of Auckland Calendar.
Master of Science (MSc) in Science in Pharmacology 240-point Research Masters
Prerequisite subject: Pharmacology or an equivalent subject approved by the Academic Head or nominee.
Requirement:
Research masters
- at least 60 points from:
- MEDSCI 700 Drug Discovery Biology
- MEDSCI 701 Special Studies in Medical Science
- MEDSCI 715 Molecular Toxicology
- MEDSCI 716 Advanced Drug Disposition and Kinetics
- MEDSCI 717 Advanced Neuroscience: Neuropharmacology
- MEDSCI 718 Pharmacology of Anaesthetics and Analgesics
- MEDSCI 719 Pharmacometrics
- MEDSCI 720 Biomedical Research Techniques
- MEDSCI 721 Advanced Toxicology
- MEDSCI 722 Clinical Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 723 Cancer Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 735 Concepts in Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 744 Project Design in Biomedical Science
- MEDSCI 745 Drug Development
- Up to 60 points from other 700 level courses as approved by the Academic Head or nominee.
- 120 points:
Full details are available in the University of Auckland Calendar.
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) in Pharmacology
- at least 60 points from:
- MEDSCI 700 Drug Discovery Biology
- MEDSCI 701 Special Studies in Medical Science
- MEDSCI 715 Molecular Toxicology
- MEDSCI 716 Advanced Drug Disposition and Kinetics
- MEDSCI 717 Advanced Neuroscience: Neuropharmacology
- MEDSCI 718 Pharmacology of Anaesthetics and Analgesics
- MEDSCI 719 Pharmacometrics
- MEDSCI 720 Biomedical Research Techniques
- MEDSCI 721 Advanced Toxicology
- MEDSCI 722 Clinical Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 723 Cancer Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 735 Concepts in Pharmacology
- MEDSCI 744 Project Design in Biomedical Science
- MEDSCI 745 Drug Development
- Up to 60 points from other 600 or 700 level courses as approved by the Head of Department or nominee.
Prerequisite courses
Prior to applying for the BSc(Hons), 240-point MSc or PGDipSci you must have completed a major in Pharmacology or the equivalent approved by the Academic Head or nominee.
Courses
Explore the postgraduate courses you can take for an Pharmacology specialisation:
Where can postgraduate study in Pharmacology take you?
The subjects of Pharmacology and Toxicology are of great practical and commercial relevance in view of the widespread use and abuse of medicines, drugs and chemicals in modern society. Our graduates work in many different roles in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research and development, clinical teaching and research, government department and research institutions, medical publishing and drug information, teaching and research in higher educational institutions.
Jobs related to Pharmacology include:
- Analytical chemist
- Biomedical scientist
- Clinical research associate
- Healthcare scientist clinical biochemistry
- Healthcare scientist immunology
- Pharmacologist
- Research scientist (life sciences)
- Research scientist (medical)
- Toxicologist
Scholarships and awards
Each year we award scholarships and prizes to thousands of students.
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for, search available scholarships or begin an application by visiting Scholarships and awards.
Help and advice
For general advice about hte programme, please contact Student Hubs.
To find a supervisor to work with you on your research project please see Postgraduate Research Topics or contact Head of Department, Associate Professor Malcolm Tingle.