Introduction

Pharmacology and Toxicology are integrative biological sciences that examine 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 pharmaceutical products, and the investigation and control of pollutants and poisons in natural and social environments. The Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology offers four Specialist and two Major undergraduate programs of study that are jointly sponsored by the Faculties of Arts and Science and Medicine. The Specialist programs have the added benefit of providing students with opportunities to learn advanced laboratory techniques and to gain real-world experience through supervised independent research projects and participation in the Professional Experience Year Internship (see below). Students who intend to pursue graduate research and/or careers in pharmacology are encouraged to enroll in a Specialist program because of the opportunities for additional experiential learning.

1. Specialist Program in Pharmacology. Pharmacology is the study of the interactions of chemical substances with living systems. This program aims to provide students with an understanding of the properties of drugs and their actions from the molecular level to whole body systems, and to prepare them for research- or non-research-based careers including positions in the pharmaceutical industry, government, research institutes and universities. Students learn about basic and clinical pharmacology and related areas through lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and independent research projects. The senior research project course enables students to gain valuable research experience while working under the supervision of a faculty member in a laboratory or non-laboratory-based setting. Specialist students also have the opportunity to participate in the Professional Experience Year Internship (see below) in which they gain valuable experience in a paid employment placement. Pharmacology (and its application in clinical therapeutics) plays a prominent role in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. While some students take the Pharmacology Specialist program in preparation for these professional programs, students are advised to contact the respective faculties directly for questions related to transfer credits.

2. Specialist Program in Biomedical Toxicology. This program deals with the study of the harmful effects of chemicals on the health and behaviour of individuals and society. The safety/toxicity of a wide array of chemicals is examined including pharmaceutical preparations, herbal products, natural toxins, and environmental contaminants with a focus on their effects on human health. This program emphasizes the application of toxicological knowledge and risk assessment and can serve not only as preparation for graduate study and research in toxicology, but also for professional programs and careers in forensic science, nutrition and food science, governmental agencies, consulting agencies, and industrial settings including the pharmaceutical industry. Students learn about basic and clinical toxicology and related areas through lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and independent research projects. The senior research project course enables students to gain valuable toxicology research experience while working under the supervision of a faculty member in a laboratory or non-laboratory-based setting. Specialist students also have the opportunity to participate in the Professional Experience Year Internship (see below) in which they gain valuable experience in a paid employment placement.

3. Double Specialist Program in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology. This program essentially combines the requirements of the two programs described above. Some students choose to take an extra year to complete this program; however, the program may be completed in four years with careful planning.

4. Specialist Program in Environment and Toxicology. This program is jointly sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and the Centre for Environment and examines the effects of chemicals not only on the health and behaviour of human beings but on whole ecosystems. The toxicities associated with therapeutic and environmental chemicals are discussed. Students may choose to participate in independent research projects and/or the Professional Experience Year Internship (see below). For additional information see “Centre for Environment” or consult the website www.environment.utoronto.ca.

5. Major Programs in Pharmacology and in Biomedical Toxicology. These programs are intended for students who want to gain knowledge in either Pharmacology or Biomedical Toxicology in combination with a different and complementary area of study. A double major program allows students to experience broad, multidisciplinary training that may be of interest to students interested in pursuing further studies in professional health science programs.
Enrollment in all Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology programs is limited. For further information about registration and courses, consult the A&S Registration Handbook and Timetable and visit our website at: www.pharmtox.utoronto.ca.

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

Undergraduate Coordinator:Dr. C. Woodland, Medical Sciences Building, room 4209 (416-978-3102)

Pharmacology and Toxicology Programs

Enrollment in these programs is limited. Applicants will be considered once they have completed all of the first-year required courses (as shown below).

The Professional Experience Year (PEY) Internship is a 12-16 month project-based, paid employment placement at pharmaceutical/biotechnology/chemical companies, university research labs, university-affiliated organizations, consulting companies, or governmental research agencies. It takes place between the 3rd and 4th years of undergraduate study and is open to Specialists in Pharmacology, Biomedical Toxicology, Environment and Toxicology with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The internship provides real-world experience in pharmaceutical development, project management, client relations, clinical research, information management and regulatory affairs.

Pharmacology (Science program)

Specialist program:

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

Enrollment in this program is limited.

First Year:
BIO120H1,BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1,PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1,PHY152H1)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PCL201H1; PSL302Y1* (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Third Year:
BCH311H1/CSB349H1; PCL302H1; PCL376H1; PSL372H1

Fourth Year:
PCL470Y1; PCL471Y1; PCL472Y1 (see NOTE 1); and two full-credit equivalents with at least one full-credit equivalent from PCL courses: ANA300Y1/ BCH304H1/BCH370H1/CSB328H1/PCL362H1/PCL389H1/PCL475Y1 (see NOTE 2)/PCL477H1 (see NOTE 3)

NOTES
1. 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).
2. PCL475Y1 counts as a half credit towards the program requirement.
3. Elective courses may be taken in the third and fourth years of study.

Major program:

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

Enrollment in this program is limited.

First Year:
BIO120H1,BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; PCL201H1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PSL302Y1* (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Third Year:
PCL302H1; BCH311H1/CSB349H1 (see NOTE 1)

Fourth Year:
PCL470Y1; and one half course equivalent from: BCH370H1/PCL362H1/PCL389H1/PCL475Y1 (see NOTE 2)/PCL477H1

NOTES
1. CSB349H1 requires BIO260H1/HMB265H1 as a prerequisite.
2. PCL475Y1 counts as a half credit towards the program requirement.
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.
5. Students are not permitted to take PCL472Y1 or PCL474Y1.

Biomedical Toxicology (Science program)

Specialist program:

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

Enrollment in this program is limited.

First Year:
BIO120H1,BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1,PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1,PHY152H1)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; BIO260H1HMB265H1/; CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PCL201H1; PSL302Y1* (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Third Year:
LMP363H1; PCL302H1; PCL362H1; PCL365Y1; PCL376H1

Fourth Year:
LMP301H1; PCL473Y1; PCL474Y1 (see NOTE 1), PCL481H1; and one full-credit equivalent from: ANA301H1/BCH370H1/CHM310H1/GGR409H1/ PCL389H1/PCL470Y1/PCL475Y1 (see NOTE 2)/PCL477H1

NOTES
1. Enrollment in the Research Project Course (PCL474Y1) 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).
2. PCL475Y1 counts as a half credit towards the program requirement.
3. Elective courses may be taken in the third and fourth years of study.

Major program:

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

Enrollment in this program is limited.

First Year:
BIO120H1,BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; PCL201H1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PSL302Y1* (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Third Year:
PCL302H1; PCL362H1; (see NOTE 1)

Fourth Year:
PCL473Y1; and one half-course equivalent from BCH370H1/PCL389H1/PCL470Y1/PCL475Y1/PCL477H1/PCL481H1

NOTES
1. Although LMP301H1 (Introduction to the Biochemistry of Human Disease) and LMP363H1 (Principles of Pathobiology) are not prerequisites to enroll in PCL473Y1, students are recommended to enroll in at least one of these courses.
2. Students are not allowed to enroll concurrently in the Major Program in Toxicology and the Major Program in Pharmacology.
3. Students are not allowed to enroll concurrently in the Major Program in Toxicology and a Specialist Program in Pharmacology.
4. Students are not permitted to take PCL472Y1 or PCL474Y1.

Double Specialist in Pharmacology and Biomedical Toxicology (Science program)

(19 full courses or their equivalent)

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. Students are allowed to enroll in only one of the two project courses (PCL472Y1/PCL474Y1) and only one of the two PCL laboratory courses (PCL365Y1/PCL471Y1) offered by the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology.

First Year:
BIO120H1,BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1; MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; (PHY131H1,PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1,PHY152H1)

Second Year:
BCH210H1; BIO240H1; BIO241H1; BIO260H1/HMB265H1; CHM247H1/CHM249H1; PCL201H1; PSL302Y1* (*NOTE: PSL201Y1 is not acceptable)

Third Year:
BCH311H1/CSB349H1; LMP363H1; PCL302H1; PCL362H1; PCL365Y1 (see NOTE 1); PCL376H1; PSL372Y1

Fourth Year:
LMP301H1; PCL470Y1; PCL471Y1 (see NOTE 1); PCL473Y1; PCL472Y1/PCL474Y1 (see NOTE 2), PCL481H1; and 2.5 full-credit equivalents with at least 0.5 full-credit equivalents from PCL courses: ANA300Y1/ANA301H1/BCH304H1/BCH370H1/CHM310H1/CSB328H1/GGR409H1/ PCL389H1/PCL475Y1 (see NOTE 3)/PCL477H1

NOTES
1. Students may either take PCL365Y1 or PCL471Y1.
2. Enrollment in the Research Project Course (PCL472Y1/PCL474Y1) 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).
3. PCL475Y1 counts as a half credit towards the program requirement.
4. Elective courses may be taken in the third and fourth years of study.

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.

(14-14.5 full courses or their equivalent; must include at least four 300+-series courses, one of which must be at the 400-level)

First Year:
BIO120H1,BIO130H1; (CHM138H1,CHM139H1) and at least two of GGR100Y1/(GGR100H1,GGR101H1); MAT135Y1/JMB170Y1; (PHY131H1,PHY132H1)

Second Year:
1. BCH210H1; BIO230H1/(BIO240H1, BIO241H1); (ENV221H1,ENV222H1)/ENV222Y1/GGR222Y1/JGE221Y1; (CSB270H1,271H1)/PSL201Y1/PSL302Y1; PCL201H1
2. CHM247H1
Third and Fourth Years:
1. ENV234Y1/ENV235Y1/ENV236Y1, (ENV321H1,ENV341H1)/321Y1
2. PCL302H1, PCL362H1; PCL376H1/STA220H1/STA221H1/EEB225H1 (see Note 1, below)
3. CHM310H1/GGR409H1/PCL481H1/LMP301H1/LMP363H1 (see Note 2, below)
4. PCL473Y1
5. ENV421H1/PCL365Y1/PCL474Y1 (see Note 3, below)

NOTES:
1. PCL376H1 is a pre- or co-requisite for students intending to take PCL474Y1. Students taking PCL474Y1 must also take PCL201H1 and PCL302H1 as prerequisites.
2. Students taking PCL481H1 must take BCH210H1, LMP363H1, and PCL362H1 as prerequisites.
3. Students intending to take PCL365Y1/PCL474Y1 must obtain permission from the Undergraduate Student Advisor of the Centre for Environment 3 months prior to the intended date of enrolment. Students must also consult with the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology at least 3 months prior to the intended date of enrolment as the student is responsible for arranging for a supervisor.