Skills you’ll develop
While studying Pharmacology, you’re learning how biomedical advances have practical applications to human health. You’ll develop important skills in research and understand the effects of drugs on cells, organs and systems.
These skills may include:
- Comprehension and identification of connections across complex processes and systems
- Analytical method development or validation (QA/QC)
- Quantitative and qualitative research and data synthesis
- Application of logical and systematic thought processes to understand the biochemical or physiological effects of drugs
- Collaboration with cross-discipline laboratory teams
- Written and verbal presentation of scientific data to non-technical audiences
- Laboratory techniques in compliance with quality control and safety regulations
- Usage of ELISA, PCR, gel-electrophoresis, protein assays, and western blot techniques
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including health care and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, intellectual property, regulatory affairs, research, educational institutions, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Allergist
- Analytical chemist
- Anesthesiologist
- Biofuel analyst
- Bioinformatician
- Biostatistician
- Business development officer
- Clinical research associate
- Clinical trials coordinator
- Community health physician
- Consumer protection specialist
- Epidemiologist
- Food and drug inspector
- Genetic counselor
- Laboratory technician
- Medical biochemist
- Medical doctor
- Nuclear medicine specialist
- Patent agent
- Patent attorney
- Pharmaceutical chemist
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacologist
- Product testing associate
- Teacher/Professor
- Psychopharmacologist
- Quality control technician
- Regulatory affairs officer
- Technical writer
- Toxicologist
Make the most of your specialization
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help clarify your values and interests.
- UBC Science Co-op
Gain work experience in pharmacology between study terms. - Departmental research opportunities
Reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - Faculty of Medicine summer research
Get experience in undergraduate medical research at UBC. - UBC Pathology and Laboratory Medicine summer program
Apply for funding and propose your research project to gain clinical experience in laboratory medicine. - BC Children’s Hospital research
Participate in an undergraduate research project related to child and family health. - Online tutorials and training in ethics
Develop your understanding of research ethics and integrity through online training and tutorials. - UBC Life Sciences Institute
Find research opportunities, events, programs, and student competitions in life sciences. - UBC Medical Journal
Submit your academic research, case reports, reviews, commentaries, and news or letters for publication.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- Canadian Association of Professionals in Regulatory Affairs
- Canadian Bioethics Society
- Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association
- Canadian Medical Association
- Canadian Society for Immunology
- Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
- Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences
- Canadian Society of Microbiologists
- Canadian Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Clinical Research Professionals of BC
- Consumer Health Products Canada
- Innovative Medicines Canada
- Intellectual Property Institute of Canada
- Genome British Columbia
- Life Sciences BC
- Medtech Canada
- Personal Care Products Council
- Science Writers and Communicators of Canada
- Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Pharmacology graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Science degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Science degree.