Pharmacology involves the study and description of the actions of drugs and chemicals
on cells, tissues and the whole body. It includes researching how drugs produce
beneficial and adverse effects, and improving the way drugs are tested to give greater
benefit in the treatment of disease. The cellular and chemical abnormalities of
disease states are studied in the expectation that molecules may be designed specifically
to correct the abnormality. The study of pharmacology requires the understanding
of normal body functions (biochemistry and physiology) and the disturbances that
occur.
Toxicology is closely related to pharmacology but specialises in the study
of the harmful effects of drugs and other chemicals on biological systems. A toxicologist
is trained to examine the nature of these effects, including their cellular, biochemical
and molecular mechanisms of action; and assess the potential effects on human health
and environmental significance of various types of chemical exposures. The variety
of potential adverse effects and the diversity of chemicals in the environment make
toxicology a very broad science. In brief, pharmacologists and toxicologists aim
to develop a better understanding of drugs and chemicals and their actions on biological
systems for the improvement of human and animal health.
Possible programmes
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