Undergraduate

Pharmacology

Pharmacology provides a modern understanding of how medicines produce their effects on the body and how such knowledge is used to alleviate suffering caused by disease.
80
ATAR
Course Details Careers & further study Fees & Scholarships Admission requirements How to apply Contact us Enquire Apply

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Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

UWA graduates in Pharmacology have pursued a number of pathways including research in a hospital (diagnostic or research lab), employment in a pharmaceutical industry (research or commercial setting), clinical trials coordinators, state or federal regulatory agencies with oversight for drug use, science education (secondary or tertiary sector) and vocational study. As with most other biomedical disciplines, the prospects of satisfying employment are enhanced by completing an honours or higher degree.
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Career Pathways

UWA graduates in Pharmacology have pursued a number of pathways including research in a hospital (diagnostic or research lab), employment in a pharmaceutical industry (research or commercial setting), clinical trials coordinators, state or federal regulatory agencies with oversight for drug use, science education (secondary or tertiary sector) and vocational study. As with most other biomedical disciplines, the prospects of satisfying employment are enhanced by completing an honours or higher degree.

Further Study

This major provides a basis for further training in pharmacology leading to a research career or to further study in complementary fields such as pharmacy, medicine, dentistry and science education. Students who continue on to study the Master of Pharmacy (two years full time or equivalent) and complete an internship in a community or hospital pharmacy will be eligible to register to practise as a pharmacist in Australia and New Zealand.
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Further Study

This major provides a basis for further training in pharmacology leading to a research career or to further study in complementary fields such as pharmacy, medicine, dentistry and science education. Students who continue on to study the Master of Pharmacy (two years full time or equivalent) and complete an internship in a community or hospital pharmacy will be eligible to register to practise as a pharmacist in Australia and New Zealand.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

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Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Annual course fee
2024
$49,800.00
2025
$52,500.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 79
Monash University Foundation Year
  • 270
South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 330
Trinity College Foundation
  • 300
University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 66
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 60
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 80
Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 79
Monash University Foundation Year
  • 270
South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 330
Trinity College Foundation
  • 300
University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 66
Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 60
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 80
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Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Admission requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

Chemistry / biology requirement

Applicants are required to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR or Human Biology ATAR or equivalent. Students without these prerequisites will be required to complete bridging units in their first year.

Chemistry / biology requirement

How to apply

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Course details

Pharmacology is the branch of science that seeks to provide a deep understanding of the effects of drugs on the human body. Some topics explored include how medicines produce their effects on specific body systems such as the cardiovascular or central nervous systems, and how drugs act at the cellular and molecular level. How can we avoid their toxic effects? How does the body protect itself against drugs and other foreign chemicals? Why do many drugs work better in some patients than in others?

About the course

This course seeks to provide a deep understanding of the effects of drugs on biological organisms, including humans. It provides a modern understanding of how medicines produce their effects on the body and how such knowledge is used to alleviate suffering caused by disease.
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About the course

As a student majoring in Pharmacology, you'll learn how common drugs target specific receptors in body tissues, exerting effects as either agonists or antagonists. You will also explore the major biochemical pathways that are activated when drugs interact with their respective receptors. Other key topics include pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, drug dependence, toxicology, pharmacogenomics and drug discovery.

This major provides an appreciation of how drugs produce changes in such key bodily functions as blood pressure, lung performance or pain perception. Since pharmacology is a very practical area of science, theoretical concepts from lectures are reinforced and expanded upon during regular laboratory classes. You'll be taught by leading lecturers who are actively engaged in modern biomedical research.

Pharmacology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-PHARY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
View full details
Pharmacology

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly contact time
  • 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-PHARY
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Honours Available
  • Yes
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Moshe Meyers

Moshe Meyers
Find out more

Moshe Meyers

Moshe Meyers

Pharmacology fuelled my desire to learn. Where did all this modern medicine come from? How does this medicine work in the body when we take it? Pharmacology answered these questions and as I learned more, I had more questions that pharmacology kept answering which in turn kept fuelling more questions! It was this positive feedback loop of curiosity. I am enjoying every aspect of my course - lectures, laboratories, and group work, and UWA has fantastic medical facilities.

My favourite aspect of studying at UWA would certainly be the campus. UWA has the most beautiful and lush campuses I’ve seen. The campus is close to the river where is great to go and have some lunch and relax before going back to study. There is not one moment that I do not appreciate the beauty surrounding me.

 

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Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Popular combinations

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Popular Combinations

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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Genetics

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Microbiology and Immunology

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Neuroscience

A major in Neuroscience will allow you to explore how nervous systems work and how nervous system function can be restored after disease and injury to the brain.

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With Pathology and Laboratory Medicine you can explore the causes and mechanisms of human disease.

Physiology

Do you differ from a robot? Learn about the molecular and cellular machinery that makes up your body, as well as how it works in everyday life, and what causes disease.

Public Health

A major in Public Health will allow you to study the patterns of health and disease in society and to consider what we can do to improve the health of the community.

Anatomy and Human Biology

A major in Anatomy and Human Biology will let you discover how your body works, why it works that way, where people come from and how we are related to one another.

Finance

Finance is the lifeblood of the economy – in finance you will learn how money and projects come together.

Marketing

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Management

Management is the backbone of any organisation, providing organisational, operational, staffing and resourcing expertise that can be applied anywhere, anytime.

Japanese Studies

Studying Japanese language, culture and society means taking a significant step towards becoming Asia-literate – an important attribute for future global citizens, particularly in Australia.

Course structure details

Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to complete MATH1720 in their first year.
Level 1

Core

Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR Human Biology or ATAR Biology will need to take ANHB1101 OR BIOL1130 OR IMED1001 in first semester to meet prerequisites for SCIE1106. IMED1001 is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine or Biomedical Engineering [MJD-EBMEG].Students without ATAR Chemistry will need to take CHEM1003 in first semester to meet prerequisites for SCIE1106.

Option

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Bridging

Take units if applicable:
Level 2

Core

Take all units (12 points):
Level 3

Core

Take all units (24 points):
Course structure details Other combinations

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Health Students' Society

The Health Students' Society (HSS) is a student-run, not-for-profit organisation for undergraduates completing health-related majors at UWA. HSS provides social and education opportunities and encourages students to make the most of their time on campus and of university life. HSS offers a support network for members during their degrees and aims to enhance the university experience and raise the profile of graduates to prospective employees.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Health Students' Society