Science - Biology and chemistry

Pharmacology and toxicology both include the study of chemicals and their impact on living systems. Pharmacology is concerned with the chemicals associated with the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of disease, while toxicology focuses on the effects of poisonous chemicals.

Areas of study within these fields include clinical pharmacology, animal pharmacology, forensic toxicology, environmental toxicology and more. As a pharmacology and toxicology major, you’ll have the opportunity to explore these disciplines as you build critical knowledge for your career.

What you’ll learn as a pharmacology and toxicology major

With a combination of coursework and hands-on labs, you’ll learn how drugs, common poisons and environmental pollutants interact with living systems at the physiological, molecular and cellular levels. You’ll also gain a set of transferable skills necessary for pharmacology and toxicology careers, such as:

• Analysis of biological specimens.
• Analytical chemistry techniques, including quantitative and qualitative analysis of chemicals.
• Biomolecular techniques.
• Lethal dose (LD50) and effective dose (ED50) calculations.
• Measurement of enzyme activity.
• Purification and analysis of biological molecules using biochemical techniques.

This program requires a two-week, in-person laboratory experience at ASU’s Tempe and West campuses. This allows you to fulfill the lab requirements for organic chemistry I and II, as well as biochemistry.

Set yourself up for success: An ASU assistant professor provides his tips for succeeding as a pharmacology and toxicology major.

What you can do with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacology and toxicology

This degree prepares you for careers in pharmacology, toxicology and other fast-growing fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical scientists is projected to grow 17% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

With a background in pharmacology and toxicology, you can seek positions in a variety of industries, including research laboratories, business, health care, governmental agencies and more. You’ll also be equipped to pursue graduate and professional programs in pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacy, medicine and public health.

Additionally, this bachelor’s degree can be completed as part of an Accelerated Master’s program. When accepted, you can earn a master’s degree in as little as one year after completing your undergraduate degree. This opportunity saves you time and money while giving you advanced knowledge in your field. Applicable master's degrees include:

• Master of Science in biological data science

Longer life spans, a higher standard of living and an awareness of the importance of proper oral hygiene have resulted in a high demand for dentists and dental-related services in the U.S. In addition to the care of natural teeth associated with traditional dentistry, dental-related services, such as cosmetic dentistry, oral pathology, endodontics, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry, continue to expand rapidly.

This pre-dental bachelor’s degree prepares you for a wide variety of careers in the field of dentistry with hands-on science experience and specialized dental knowledge.

Please note, this program is not ideal for someone looking to become a dental hygienist. Students interested in dental hygiene should consider dedicated programs instead.

Biology, chemistry and more: What you’ll learn in this pre-dental degree concentration

This pre-dental degree concentration places significant emphasis on establishing a strong foundation in key scientific disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, human biology, physics and mathematics. These foundational subjects provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin dental practice. You’ll also develop a deeper knowledge of oral health and dental care with a variety of dental-specific courses.

Alongside your coursework, you’ll be provided with valuable opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge and gain practical experience through internships within the dental field. This combination of general science and dentistry-specific coursework, as well as hands-on experience, assists you in the process of applying to dental school or launching your career in this high-demand industry.

Will a pre-dentistry major get me into dental school?

While this degree doesn’t automatically qualify you for dental school, the coursework and internship experience you’ll gain helps prepare you for the admission process. As every dental school has different admission requirements, such as shadowing experience, GPA and coursework, it’s important to research the specific requirements of the dental school you wish to apply for in advance.

With its emphasis on general biological sciences knowledge, this degree can also be beneficial for students planning to bypass dental school and begin their career.

Biomedical engineering spans to areas of both engineering and life sciences disciplines. By connecting the two, you’re able to apply your skills ethically and sustainably to make contributions that address societal and individual needs.

This ABET-accredited program combines interactive coursework, innovative laboratory instruction and remote research experience. You’ll develop the theoretical knowledge and skills needed for employment in the multidisciplinary biomedical industry or admittance to top-tier graduate and medical school programs. In-demand skills you’ll gain include:

Technical

• Bioimaging, such as the use of microscopes and image analysis
• Biomedical engineering instrument design and construction
• Cell and molecular biology skills, such as cell culture, PCR and molecular cloning
• Programming using software, including Python and Matlab

Analytic

• Biomedical engineering product design and development processes
• Experimental design, including hypothesis formulation, data analysis and technical writing
• FDA regulatory processes and technical communication
• Statistical analysis in the context of common biomedical experiments

Interpersonal

• Analytic problem-solving and iterative design
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Oral and written presentation skills
• Understanding ethical issues in biomedical and medical sciences and engineering practices
   

Tailor your studies to your career goals

You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your education through one of two specialized tracks. These pathways will equip you with targeted knowledge and skills to address pressing challenges in health care and biotechnology industries. Within these tracks, you can further specialize through several areas of emphasis such as bioimaging, bioinstrumentation, neural rehabilitation engineering and artificial intelligence.

• Biomedical device design: This track emphasizes the engineering principles and technical expertise needed to design, develop and optimize devices that interact with the human body. You’ll learn to create medical tools such as imaging systems, diagnostic equipment, wearable sensors and rehabilitation devices, using a combination of mechanical, electrical and software engineering.
• Biological device design: This track leverages biological principles to engineer systems and devices that harness or manipulate biological materials. You’ll explore innovative solutions such as tissue scaffolds, synthetic biology applications, bioengineered sensors and gene editing technologies to improve therapies and patient outcomes.

An engineering degree for those aspiring to medical school

If your sights are set on medical school, this biomedical engineering program offers exceptional preparation through its focus on health innovation. A degree in engineering, preferably biomedical engineering, is a prerequisite for admission to ASU’s new engineering-based 
School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering. Developed with clinical partners, the medical school’s program allows you to earn both an MD and a Master of Science in medical engineering. Graduates will shape the future of medicine as innovators, problem solvers and leaders in health care.

Additionally, there's the partnership between ASU and Mayo Clinic, designed to provide you with valuable clinical perspectives and the opportunity to design engineering solutions for real-world medical challenges. One notable example is the Mayo Clinic/ASU Synapse internship, where biomedical engineering students shadow physicians and collaborate to design and build medical devices that address pressing clinical needs. Participants of this program earn a certificate from Mayo Clinic in addition to their ASU diploma.

Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that combines the principles of physics and biology to understand biological systems and processes at the molecular and cellular level. In our increasingly interconnected world, biophysics has the potential to revolutionize approaches to medicine, agriculture, sustainability and more. It also provides a foundation for new therapies, diagnostics and treatments.

In this biophysics program, the first of its kind to be offered online, you’ll learn from the same renowned biophysicists who teach on campus. You’ll gain knowledge about the principles governing all scales of biological organization and the tools to drive innovative solutions.

The skills and subjects you’ll learn as a biophysics major

As you take a variety of courses in physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry, you’ll have opportunities to sharpen your independent and critical thinking. You’ll also learn how to design experiments, collect, analyze and interpret data and write scientific reports. Other skills you’ll build as a biophysics major include:

• Cross-audience communication.
• Data analysis and computation.
• Interdisciplinary thinking.
• Problem solving.
• Scientific methodology.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in biophysics?

Earning a biophysics degree can set you on a path for a variety of careers in the health care, education, research, renewable energy and biotechnology industries. You’ll be equipped for roles ranging from health care administrator and radiologist to research assistant or pharmaceutical sales representative.

For advanced roles, such as becoming a biophysicist or researcher, you may need to pursue further studies. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared for graduate programs in the fields of neuroscience, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, data science and physics.

Additionally, while a biophysics major can be a stepping stone to medical school, you should expect to take additional coursework to meet the prerequisite requirements.

Preveterinary medicine is an undergraduate degree concentration that prepares students for admission to veterinary school and a career in veterinary medicine or animal science.

Program coursework provides a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, physics, math and animal science. It also offers specialized courses in veterinary medicine and opportunities to gain clinical hours or animal experience through internships and study abroad programs.

The online pre-vet major includes several advanced lab courses. Most are completed online, but the two organic chemistry labs must be taken in person at ASU’s Tempe campus. These are offered in a compressed one-week format over the summer. Learn more about the on-campus sessions and how to prepare.

What can I do with a preveterinary medicine degree concentration?

This concentration focuses on biology with an emphasis on animal behavior, anatomy and nutrition. You’ll have the opportunity to take classes exploring the field of veterinary medicine, ethical issues in biology, infectious diseases, comparative immunology and more. The preveterinary medicine concentration will help you develop the skills needed to effectively work with animals and use science to formulate solutions to various problems. These skills are important for many careers related to veterinary medicine, animal science and biology.

Why earn a pre-vet major?

Earning an applied biological sciences with a concentration in preveterinary medicine degree does not guarantee your admission into veterinary school, but it can help make you a competitive applicant. Our online preveterinary medicine degree concentration is designed to help you meet the common prerequisites required to apply to veterinary school. It also connects you with advisors who can help ensure you’re staying on track to apply to veterinary school or other animal-focused graduate programs.

Even if you’re a pre-vet major, it’s still important to thoroughly research the veterinary schools and graduate programs you’re most interested in applying to as each school has its own specific prerequisites and admission requirements. For more information on ASU’s pre-health education programs, please visit the ASU pre-health website.

Students must understand that completing this program does not guarantee admission to veterinary school. For students who may be interested in applying for veterinary school upon graduation, it is highly recommended they take the ABS 484 Internship course for experiential learning.