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Pharmacology
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Introduction

Pharmacology and Toxicology are broadly based and integrative disciplines of biology dealing with the properties of chemical compounds and their interactions with living systems. They provide the scientific basis for the study of chemical actions in the health sciences, the use of drugs as therapeutic agents or as tools in scientific research, the development and control of pharmaceuticals, the investigation and control of pollutants and poisons in natural and social environments, etc. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology offers four specialist and two major undergraduate programs of study:

1. Specialist Program in Pharmacology. Pharmacology is the study of the interactions of chemical substances with living systems, with a view to understanding the properties of drugs and their actions from the molecular level to whole body systems. The objectives of this program are to provide a structured introduction to the scientific aspects of the discipline with exposure to some investigational and research problems in preparation for advanced graduate study and research in pharmacology. Students are provided with opportunities to learn about pharmacology and related areas through lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and independent research projects. Pharmacology (and its application in clinical therapeutics) plays a prominent role in Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy. However, there is no equivalence between the professional Pharmacy degree offered in the Faculty of Pharmacy and this Arts & Science Specialist Program in Pharmacology.

2. Specialist Program in Toxicology. This specialist program deals with the study of the harmful effects of chemicals on the health and behaviour of individuals and society. This program focusses on the application of toxicological knowledge and data and not only serves as preparation for advanced graduate study and research in toxicology, but also for toxicological work in forensic science, nutrition and food science, governmental agencies, consulting agencies, industrial settings, etc. Students are exposed to modern experimental techniques utilized in toxicology and have opportunities for independent research under the supervision of a faculty member. Students interested in environmental toxicology should consider enrolling in the Specialist Program in Environment and Toxicology, jointly sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Centre for Environment.

3. Double Specialist in Pharmacology and Toxicology. This program combines the requirements of the two previous specialist programs. Many students choose to take an extra year to complete this program.

4. Specialist Program in Environment and Toxicology. This program is jointly sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Centre for Environment. For additional information see “Centre for Environment” or consult the website, www.environment.utoronto.ca.

5. Major Programs in Pharmacology and in Toxicology. These programs are intended for undergraduate students who want to have a solid knowledge in these disciplines, allowing students to combine different and complementary areas of expertise in Life Sciences. This approach contributes to a broader and multidisciplinary undergraduate training that is particularly relevant for students interested in pursuing further studies in professional health science programs.

Enrollment in all programs is limited. Minimum CGPAs are required for application to these programs (see below). For further information consult the A&S Registration Handbook and Timetable and our website: http://www.library.utoronto.ca/pharm_tox/index.htm

Undergraduate Office - General Inquiries:Medical Sciences Building, Room 4207 (416-978-2728)

Undergraduate Coordinator:Dr. C. Woodland, Medical Sciences Building, Room 4245 (416-978-3102)

Pharmacology and Toxicology Programs

Enrollment in these Programs is limited. To apply to these programs, you must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 for the specialist and major programs in Pharmacology and in Toxicology. A minimum CGPA of 3.5 is required for application to the Double Specialist program. Applicants will only be considered if they have completed all of the first year required courses (as shown below). Please note that having the minimum CGPA for application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Pharmacology (Science program)

Specialist program:

(15 full courses or their equivalent, including at least three 400-series courses)

Enrollment in this program is limited. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required.

First Year:
BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1) (PHY131H1, PHY132H1 recommended)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; CHM217H1/CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PCL201H1

Third Year:
BCH370H1; BCH311H1/CSB349H1; PCL302H1, PCL376H1 (see NOTE 1); PSL302Y1*, PSL372H1 (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Fourth Year:
PCL470Y1, PCL471Y1 (see NOTE 2), PCL472Y1 (see NOTE 3); and one full-credit equivalent from: ANA300Y1/ZOO263Y1/BCH304H1/BCH445H1/ANA301H1/ZOO325H1/ZOO328H1/PCL477H1

NOTES
1. PCL376H1 may be taken either as a pre-requisite or a co-requisite to the research project course, PCL472Y1.
2. Enrollment in the Pharmacology Laboratory course (PCL471Y1) is restricted to students enrolled in the Pharmacology or Double Specialist programs.
3. Enrollment in the research project course (PCL472Y1) is limited and requires permission from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Students must receive prior consent of an approved supervisor according to departmental guidelines before the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology will register them in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate all necessary preparations before the session starts (see course description).

Major program in Pharmacology:

(8 full courses or their equivalent, including two 300-series courses and one 400-series course)

Enrollment in this program is limited. Students may apply after completing 4 courses including all the First Year requirements with a minimum CGPA of 3.0.

First Year:
BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; PCL201H1; CHM217H1/CHM220H1 (see NOTE 1); CHM247H1/CHM249H1

Third Year:
PCL302H1; PSL302Y1; BCH311H1/370H1/CSB349H1 (see NOTE 2)

Fourth Year:
PCL470Y1

NOTES
1. CHM220H1 requires MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/151Y1 as a prerequisite.
2. CSB349H1 requires BIO260H1/HMB265H1 as a prerequisite.
3. Students are not allowed to enroll concurrently in the Major Program in Pharmacology and the Major Program in Toxicology.
4. Students are not allowed to enroll concurrently in the Major Program in Pharmacology and a Specialist Program in Toxicology.

Toxicology (Science program)

Specialist program:

(15.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 2.5 400-series courses)

Enrollment in this program is limited. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 is required.

First Year:
BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1) (PHY131H1, PHY132H1 recommended)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; CHM217H1/CHM220H1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PCL201H1

Third Year:
BCH370H1; LMP363H1; PCL302H1, PCL362H1, PCL365Y1, PCL376H1 (see NOTE 1); PSL302Y1* (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Fourth Year:
LMP301H1; PCL473Y1, PCL474Y1 (see NOTE 2), PCL481H1; and one half-credit equivalent from: ANA301H1/CHM310H1/GGR409H1/NFS488H1/PCL477H1

NOTES
1. PCL376H1 may be taken either as a pre-requisite or a co-requisite to the research project course, PCL474Y1.
2. Enrollment in the research project course (PCL474Y1) is limited and requires permission from the Department of Pharmacology. Students must receive prior consent of an approved supervisor according to departmental guidelines before the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology will register them in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate all necessary preparations before the session starts (see course description).
3. Enrollment in the Toxicology Laboratory course (PCL365Y1) is restricted to students enrolled in the Toxicology Specialist or Double Specialist programs.

Major program:

(8 full courses or their equivalent, including two 300-series courses and one 400-series course).

Enrollment in this program is limited. Students may apply after completing 4 courses including all the First Year requirements with a minimum CGPA of 3.0.

First Year:
BIO150Y1BIO150Y1; CHM138H1, CHM139H1/CHM151Y1

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; PCL201H1; CHM217H1/CHM220H1 (see NOTE 1); CHM247H1/CHM249H1

Third Year:
PCL302H1; PSL302Y1; PCL362H1 (see NOTE 2)

Fourth Year:
PCL473Y1

NOTES
1. CHM220H1 requires MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1/151Y1 as a pre-requisite.
2. Although LMP301H1 (Introduction to the Biochemistry of Human Disease) and LMP363H1 (Principles of Pathobiology) are not pre-requisites to enroll in PCL473Y1, students are strongly recommended to enroll in at least one of these courses.
3. Students are not allowed to enroll concurrently in the Major Program in Toxicology and the Major Program in Pharmacology.
4. Students are not allowed to enroll concurrently in the Major Program in Toxicology and a Specialist Program in Pharmacology.

Double Specialist in Pharmacology and Toxicology (Science program)

This program requires completion of both the Pharmacology and Toxicology Specialist courses and may require an extra year for completion. Enrollment in this program is limited and a minimum CGPA of 3.5 is required. Students are allowed to enroll in only one of the two project course (PCL472Y1/PCL474Y1) offered by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Specialist program in Environment and Toxicology (Science program)

This program is jointly sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Centre for Environment. For additional information see “Centre for Environment” or consult the website, www.environment.utoronto.ca.