1. PHARMACOLOGY By: Claire Stevens

2. SETTING Pharmacologists spend the majority of their time working in offices and labs. They spend very little time working outdoors, but have to travel fairly often.

3. TYPE OF ACTIVITY Pharmacologists do in-depth research on drugs, disease and their relationship with the human body. The goal of a pharmacologist is to better understand the way different drugs interact with the human body, as well as to develop new drugs to combat diseases that don’t yet have cures. They spend much if their time working in labs conducting experiments.

4. SUPERVISION Pharmacologists are generally in charge of the projects they are working on, and are not directly supervised by anyone. However, they may have to supervise any support staff that works under them.

5. HISTORY The process of using healers and herbal therapies to treat patients has been around for thousands of years, however, pharmacology really took off around the 1930’s when single dose chemically created drugs and treatments began to be produced in greater quantities. Since then pharmacology has expanded into many different disciplines and many new technologies have been developed to aid in the creation of new drugs.

6. WORKING CONDITIONS Pharmacology is a full-time position. The hours are dictated by what projects they are currently working on, and can change quite a bit from project to project, but in general pharmacologists work 37-40 hours per week. It is not mandatory, however, pharmacologists can choose to be a part of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology if they wish. Unless they are a professor, holiday time is flexible. If a pharmacologist is employed by a pharmaceutical company they can expect benefits like competitive healthcare, dental and pension plans.

7. FUTURE OUTLOOK The pharmacology field is projected to increase by 13% from 2012 to 2022. Advancements in medical technologies are expected to create sustained growth in pharmacology.

8. RELATED CAREERS Pharmacist Doctor Microbiologist Pathologist Toxicologist

9. POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS UBC University of Toronto University of Alberta Dalhousie University University of Saskatchewan McGill

10. SAMPLE PROGRAM Year 1 BIOL 112-Cell and Molecular Biology CHEM 110- General Chemistry 1 CHEM 120- General Chemistry 2 MATH 139- Calculus 1 with Pre-calculus MATH 141- Calculus 2 PHYS 101- Intro Physics—Mechanics PHYS 102- Intro Physics—Electromagnetism Plus either complementary courses

11. SAMPLE PROGRAM Year 2 BIOL 200-Molecular BiologyPlus complementary courses BIOL 202- Basic Genetics CHEM 212- Intro Organic Chemistry 1 CHEM 222- Intro Organic Chemistry 2 PHYG 209- Mammalian Physiology 1 PHYG 210- Mammalian Physiology 2 PHYG 212- Intro Physiology Lab 1 PHYG 213- Intro Physiology Lab 2 PHAR 200- Intro Pharmacology 1 Phar 201- Intro Pharmacology 2

12. SAMPLE PROGRAM Year 3 BIOC 311-Metabolic Biochemistry BIOL 301- Cell and Molecular Laboratory PHAR 300- Drug Action PHAR 301- Drugs and Disease PHAR 303- Principles of Toxicology Plus complementary courses

13. SAMPLE PROGRAM Year 4 PHAR 598D1- Pharmacology research project PHAR 598D2- Pharmacology research project Plus 3 credits from an advanced level class

14. SAMPLE PROGRAM After the completion of the 4 year Bachelor of Science degree with a major in pharmacology you could complete either a masters of doctorate in pharmacology, but it is not required for certification.