Pharmacology is a subject that integrates knowledge of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, and chemistry to study the relationship between biological processes and therapeutic agents. Pharmacologists investigate the active effects and mechanisms of drugs and chemical agents within living organisms. The areas of pharmacology are many and diverse, and include the therapeutic and toxicological actions of drugs on humans, animals and microorganisms, the influence of chemicals upon the environment and biological ecosystems, and the use of drugs as research tools for the elucidation of molecular and biochemical mechanisms.
The Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) offers the bachelor of science degree in four departmental majorsbiochemistry-molecular biology, cell and developmental biology, microbiology, and pharmacology. In addition, it cooperates with the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology in offering the interdepartmental biological sciences major, with both B.A. and B.S. objectives. The department offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of master of arts and doctor of philosophy, with emphasis in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology. An interdepartmental graduate program is offered in biomolecular science and engineering, in cooperation with the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Materials, and Mechanical and Environmental Engineering. In addition, a wide range of courses is available to all undergraduates for elective enrollment or for the support of their preparation for degrees in other departments or programs.