Biochemical Pharmacology
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
102 Farber Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3000
Phone: 716.829.2800
Fax: 716.829.2801
Web: www.smbs.buffalo.edu/pmy
Vijay C. Swamy
Director of Undergraduate Studies
97 Farber Hall
716.829.2194
vswamy@buffalo.edu
About the Department
Pharmacology may be defined as the study of the effects of drugs or chemical agents on biological systems. Pharmacologists are scientists who seek answers to all types of questions regarding drugs – key chemical/physical features of drugs, various sites of action, the nature and variety of drug-induced biologic effects, the mechanisms of drug action, the beneficial and toxic effects, and so forth. The concepts and language used by pharmacologists in their work are based on fundamental sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics) and borrow freely from developments in allied bio-medical fields, such as physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in molecular pharmacology, cardiovascular pharmacology, or neuropharmacology.
Degrees Offered
Undergraduate: B.S., Minor
Combined: B.S./M.S.
Graduate: M.A., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D.
About Our Degrees
Acceptance Criteria - B.S.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 in required courses.
Acceptance Criteria - B.S./M.S.
Minimum GPA of 3.0 overall.
Acceptance Criteria - Minor
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in prerequisite courses.
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall in minor to graduate.
Acceptance Information
Number of applicants (2003-2004): Approximately 100
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
Transfer Policy
Transfer students should obtain admission to the university through the Office of Admissions before applying to the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The department will evaluate prerequisite courses previously taken as possible substitutes for required courses.
About Our Courses
The typical class size for:
Upper level/advanced courses is: 20-130
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Our faculty have extraordinarily broad and diverse areas of research interest. They range from neurobiology and mechanisms, behavioral pharmacology, hormone mechanisms, drug use and abuse, toxicology of heavy metals and halogenated hydrocarbons, biophysics and genetics of ion channels to clinical research into hypertensive mechanisms, vascular reactivity in cardiovascular disease, bacterial pathogenesis, molecular biology of pulmonary surfactants, and psychiatric conditions.
The Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Vijay Swamy, is regularly available for discussion of the program.
Special Academic Opportunities
Independent Study is available.
Extracurricular Activities
Pharmacology Student Association (PSA); for information, call 716-829-2800.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
Majors that Complement Biochemical Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Pharmaceutics
- Psychology
Minors that Complement Biochemical Pharmacology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Marketing
Advising Information
Students are strongly urged to contact Dr. V.C. Swamy during their freshman/sophomore years to learn more about the subject, the opportunities that are available in the program, and the relevance of these opportunities to students’ academic and career aspirations. Information regarding procedural details of admission can be obtained by contacting Ms. Linda LeRoy of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (lleroy@buffalo.edu or 716-829-2800), or Mr. David Lang, Academic Advisor for Biomedical Undergraduate Education (langdj@buffalo.edu or 716-829-3005).
Career Information
Career Choices
- Administrator
- Armed forces services
- Biochemist
- Educator
- Health careers
- Manufacturer's representative
- Marketing
- Pharmacologist
- Research scientist
- Sales
- Toxicologist
What percentage of graduates goes on to graduate school?
20-40%
What percentage of graduates goes on to find related employment?
70-100%
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences