Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the science of how drugs interact with living systems, encompassing everything from the molecular mechanisms by which medicines act to the physiological processes they influence and the clinical consequences of those interactions. It sits at the intersection of biochemistry, physiology, and medicine, providing the foundational knowledge that underpins drug discovery, development, and therapeutic use. Understanding pharmacology is essential not just for developing new medicines but for using existing ones safely and effectively.

At Teesside University, this part-time programme gives you grounding in human anatomy and the physiological processes that govern the functioning of the major organ systems. Homeostasis, the body's mechanisms for maintaining stable internal conditions, is a key theme, and you will explore how different physiological systems interact and are regulated. The programme also addresses how pharmacological knowledge applies in practical and forensic contexts, including the construction of biological profiles for human identification, which involves understanding age, sex, stature, and other biological variables.

The part-time format allows you to develop this specialist knowledge alongside other commitments.

Graduates with pharmacology training are well placed for careers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in drug discovery and development, in clinical research, in regulatory affairs, and in academic scientific research. Healthcare settings, including hospital pharmacy, clinical trials, and patient safety, are also important destinations for pharmacology graduates. The discipline's emphasis on rigorous biological and chemical analysis means graduates also move into broader scientific roles in industries where understanding the interaction between chemical compounds and biological systems is valuable.

Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in pharmacology, drug discovery, toxicology, or clinical science, building specialist expertise that takes them to the forefront of biomedical research.