Program Description

Most people are interested in pharmacology because drugs occupy such a prominent place in everyday life. Constant progress in medicine involves the design of new drugs that can cure cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and other medical conditions. Pharmacology incorporates and applies a variety of biological sciences, such as biochemistry, chemistry, physiology, microbiology and genetics. Unlike pharmacy, which is about the preparation and dispensing of drugs, pharmacology is the science behind how drugs produce their effects on the body and what the body does to the drugs. Pharmacology also plays a key role in developing drugs of the future.

Toxicology at Otago examines the harmful effects of chemicals on the human body, as well as understanding the impact of chemicals on the environment and in our food supply. A good knowledge of pharmacology and toxicology is also an important part of the training of medical doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses and physiotherapists. Other scientists often find pharmacology useful in their own specialisation. For example, physiologists, biochemists, zoologists and psychologists may use drugs to understand the biological system or disease they are studying.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).
2. Every applicant must either
   1. be a graduate with an average grade of at least B for the appropriate 300-level papers, or
   2. have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences).

IELTS Requirements

Listening	Reading	Writing	Speaking	Overall
6	6	6	6	6.5

Remarks:

• Yearly tuition fee is given