Overview

Pharmacology and toxicology explore how biological organisms respond to chemical agents, pharmaceutical compounds, and environmental toxins, providing the foundation for modern drug discovery and therapeutic safety. The Bachelor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at Griffith University delivers a practical education in cellular pathology, drug mechanisms, and chemical safety evaluation. Students learn within advanced health science laboratories and analytical facilities, utilizing industry-standard instrumentation such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and molecular analysis tools. The curriculum progresses from core foundations in biological chemistry, cell biology, and anatomy to specialized study in drug development, toxicological responses, pharmaceutical analysis, and novel delivery systems. Emphasizing professional career readiness, the programme incorporates training in biostatistics, epidemiology, and practical work-integrated placement activities alongside research or industry partners. Designed for analytical minds passionate about chemical safety and pharmaceutical innovation, this degree provides strong preparation for careers in therapeutics and toxicology. Graduates emerge with the technical research capabilities, diagnostic reasoning, and scientific expertise needed to advance safe medicine use across pharmaceutical industries, regulatory agencies, and research laboratories.

What You'll Learn

• Fundamental biological chemistry, cellular mechanisms, and anatomical system regulation

• Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and receptor-drug interaction principles

• Mechanisms of chemical toxicity, organ-specific responses, and toxicological profiling

• Pharmaceutical analysis techniques, spectroscopy, chromatography, and molecular testing

• Drug discovery pipelines, clinical trial design, and specialised delivery systems

• Biostatistics, epidemiology, evidence-based research methodologies, and quantitative data interpretation

• Regulatory affairs, chemical safety standards, laboratory governance, and ethical practice

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the programme, students will be capable of evaluating the biological effects of natural and synthetic compounds on human tissue and physiological systems. Graduates will demonstrate high-level laboratory proficiency in operating analytical instrumentation, conducting assays, and measuring chemical toxicity parameters accurately. Through hands-on laboratory practicals, industry-informed projects, and work-integrated learning, learners acquire practical skills in interpreting pharmacokinetic data, evaluating safety profiles, and contributing to drug discovery workflows. They will critically appraise scientific literature, observe safety and regulatory compliance standards, and communicate complex toxicological data to interprofessional healthcare and industrial stakeholders. Ultimately, graduates acquire the scientific rigor, technical versatility, and professional skills required to excel across pharmaceutical manufacturing, clinical research organizations, government regulatory bodies, and environmental toxicology sectors.