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Pharmacologist

Occupation Information table
Overview: Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs, gases, powders, and other materials on the tissues and physiological processes of humans and animals. They conduct experiments with animals, such as rats, guinea pigs and mice to determine reactions to drugs, food preservatives and food contaminants.
Duties: They design and conduct experiments to evaluate the effects of new pharmaceutical and food ingredients on patients and consumers. These experiments are usually conducted on animals.

They vary the dosages given to animals in order to make observations and collect data about the effects of drugs on specific organs, body function, behavior and health.

They recommend if products can be safely tested on humans. With the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the pharmacologist implements drug evaluations with human volunteers.

They collect data about the long term success or side effects and problems about drugs on the market from physicians and pharmacists. Decide if drugs need modification, warning or discontinuance.
Degree(s): A.S. Biotechnology 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 5% to 8% percent from 2014 to 2024, which matches the average growth rate for all occupations.
Starting Salary: Tenured university professors can earn higher salaries than those in research positions.
Salary Range (National Average): $38,000 ro $50,000
Education Level: Candidates for this occupation generally have completed their Bachelor’s Degree and have continued their education either 1 or 2 years longer.
Additional Training/Education: A master's degree or Ph.D. is required to qualify for a position in pharmacology. Curriculum studies should include biology, biochemistry, bacteriology, pathology & a knowledge of computer applications. Most states require certification. A Ph.D. is usually required for college teaching.
Recommended Skills:
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Paying attention to what other people are saying, and taking time to understand the points being made.
  • Allocating and budgeting your time for different tasks so that things get done when needed.
  • Ability to identify a problem, review related information, develop and evaluate options, and implement a solution.
  • The ability to understand complex written paragraphs, instructions, or reports.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Using scientific methods to investigate and conduct experiments.
  • Teaching others how to do something.
  • Composing and communicating your ideas in written form.
Recommended Values:
  • Create new ideas, programs, things, or anything else not previously developed by another person.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Gaining the respect of others by the nature and/or level of responsibility of your work.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.