Pharmacology (in Greek: pharmacon (φάρμακον) is drug, and logos (λόγος) is science) is the study of the origin, properties and effects of drugs on living organisms. Pharmacology provides insights into key areas of health and disease, including the discovery of new therapeutic targets, the mechanisms whereby drugs elicit responses in cells, whether drug action will be selective and long-lasting, and the nature of side-effects of drug use.
The Department promotes excellence in teaching and research, and teaches various aspects of pharmacology, toxicology and neuroscience to students undertaking degrees in Medicine, Science, Biomedical Science, Neuroscience and Radiography. The Department also has strong Honours and PhD programs, where students can undertake cutting-edge research across a range of projects aligned to the research strengths of the Department.
Staff and students are actively engaged in projects ranging from fundamental basic science investigating drug targets and mechanism of drug action, through to disease-focussed research in cardiovascular health, the treatment of obesity, diabetes, fibrosis, and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, migraine, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the pharmacology and toxicology of venoms.
Graduates in Pharmacology have a wide range of career options in academic teaching and research, the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies and public health.
World Class Ranking Success
Monash has been ranked the sixth best university in the world at which to study Education and seventh best for Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
The top 10 rankings were just two of a number of excellent results for Monash to come out of the QS University Subject Rankings 2013, released this morning.
This year’s rankings saw a significant improvement in the University’s standing, with 13 disciplines ranked in the top 30 worldwide, up from nine last year.
Monash is ranked sixth in the world for Education;
Pharmacy and Pharmacology – seventh in the world;
Law – 13th in the world;
Accounting and Finance – 18th in the world;
Linguistics – 19th in the world;
Communication and Media Studies – 21st in the world;
History – 23rd in the world;
Geography – 23rd in the world;
Chemical Engineering – 25th in the world;
Civil and Structural Engineering – 26th in the world;
Economics and Econometrics – 26th in the world;
Psychology – 27th in the world; and
Medicine – 29th in the world.
Monash ranked in the global top 100 in 28 of the 30 subjects that were rated.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Ed Byrne said he was delighted with the University's strong performance across such a wide range of disciplines.
“This year’s results are an extraordinary achievement and are indicative of the overall quality of the University’s teaching and learning, and its research,” Professor Byrne said.
“They are further proof that our students are receiving a world-class education."
The QS subject rankings are determined by a combination of academic peer-review, employer attitudes and research output and impact; the rankings are intended to help students decide the best university at which to study.
Monash is currently ranked 61st overall in the QS World Rankings. QS Top Universities has ranked international tertiary educators since 2004.
More information on the QS University Subject Rankings is available at the QS Top Universities website.
