Career opportunities
Graduates of our department go on to a wide range of careers including research, governmental, administration, and advisory positions.
Major employers include the National Poisons Centre, MedSafe, Pharmac, the Ministry of Health, Crown Research Institutes, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmacology and Toxicology are also popular choices for students seeking a career in the professional medical sciences (e.g. Medicine or Pharmacy) or those pursuing a double degree in Law, Commerce, or Education.
Pharmacology at Otago
We offer two specialised undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBioMedSci) majoring in Drugs and Human Health.
Teaching style
As a small department, we have a friendly and helpful relationship with our students and our teaching staff routinely receive excellent feedback.
All pharmacology and toxicology papers are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, and laboratory practical sessions.
Practical sessions range from the use of modern cellular techniques through to human clinical trials.
Research at Otago
All our teaching staff are engaged in cutting-edge Pharmacology and Toxicology research, seeking to develop new drugs and address toxicological problems.
Areas of particular expertise include:
- Cancer drug development and treatment
- Cannabinoids
- Cardiovascular health and cardioprotection
- Environmental toxicology
- Human toxicology
- Inflammation and wound healing
- Neuropharmacology and auditory pharmacology
Postgraduate opportunities
There are many postgraduate study opportunities including honours, master's, and PhD degrees specialising in either Pharmacology or Toxicology. Research students work in our established laboratories using a range of modern techniques.
Recommended background
There are no secondary school subject requirements for entry into Pharmacology.
Students must meet the prerequisites for entry into second-year papers as outlined in the University Guidelines and are encouraged to maintain Biology and Chemistry to Year 13.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
A three-year degree offering flexibility to explore a major in Science along with other subjects
Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
Combine two majors, one in Arts and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
Combine two majors, one in Commerce and one in Science, into a four-year degree and expand your future career prospects
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
The Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad), requiring study of at least seven papers (at least four of which are at 300-level o...
Postgraduate Study in Pharmacology
Explore postgraduate study in Pharmacology at Otago. Gain advanced knowledge, skills, and research opportunities in a su...
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry | 18 |
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health | 18 | |
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology | 18 | |
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 or PTWY 131 Introduction to the Human Body | 18 | |
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 | 18 | |
| Note: PTWY 131 is only available to students enrolled in the Diploma in Science. | ||
| 200-level | PHAL 241 Pharmacology: Drugs to Medicine | 18 |
| Two of: | 36 | |
| BIOC 222 Proteins in Industry and Medicine | ||
| NEUR 201 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology | ||
| At least one 200-level BIOC, CHEM, FORS, GENE, MICR, PHSL or PSCI paper | 18 | |
| 300-level | PHAL 311 Pharmacology: Molecular Targets of Drugs | 18 |
| PHAL 312 Pharmacology: Drugs and the Brain | 18 | |
| PHAL 313 Pharmacology: Medicines and Diseases | 18 | |
| PHAL 307 Current Topic or one 300-level ANAT, BIOC, CHEM, FORS, GENE, MICR, NEUR, PHSL or PSCI paper | 18 | |
| Plus |
126 further points; must include 36 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Science | 126 |
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Science (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | See Below | |
| 200-level | PHAL 241 Pharmacology: Drugs to Medicine | 18 |
| And two of: | 36 | |
| BIOC 222 Proteins in Industry and Medicine | ||
| NEUR 201 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience | ||
| PHSL 232 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology | ||
(i) Prerequisites for PHAL 241 are BIOC 192, CELS 191, CHEM 191, HUBS 191 or PTWY 131,HUBS 192. | ||
| 300-level | Two of: | 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHAL papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHAL231 | 2025 | Drugs and Society | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHAL241 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Drugs to Medicine | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL307 | 2025 | Current Topic | 18 points | Full Year |
| PHAL311 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Molecular Targets of Drugs | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL312 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Drugs and the Brain | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL313 | 2025 | Pharmacology: Medicines and Diseases | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PHAL421 | 2025 | General Pharmacology and Toxicology | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| PHAL423 | 2025 | Neuropharmacology | 20 points | Full Year |
| PHAL428 | 2025 | Current Research Literature in Toxicology | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PHAL430 | 2025 | Advanced Topic in Pharmacology and Toxicology | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHAL431 | 2025 | Special Project | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHAL480 | 2025 | Research Project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| PHAL490 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
| PHAL495 | 2025 | Master's Thesis Preparation | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 17 June 2026) |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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