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How to Become a Pharmacologist (and Job Description)
Pharmacologists are considered medical scientists, which means you’ll need a lot of schooling before you can start your career.
How to Become a Pharmacologist
To become a pharmacologist, you’ll:
Get your high school diploma or GED
Get your bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or another related field
Take toxicology, microbiology, chemistry, and other science courses
Get hands-on training via clinicals and labs
Gain acceptance to medical school
Pass the licensing and medical exam requirements
Continue your education with postdoctoral studies—lab work, gene splicing and other advanced level processes
Obtain the proper licensing, registration, and certifications
Start your career in medical residency or in postdoctoral research
Having articles published in related journals may help you find a permanent college or university teaching position, if that’s the direction you’re interested in heading.
What Does a Pharmacologist Do?
As a pharmacologist, you’ll be using clinical trials and other investigative means to come to conclusions on ways to improve human health.A pharmacologist's job description may include:
Investigating diseases and preventative methods through studies
Collecting, preparing, and analyzing samples you take to compile information on toxicity, pathogens, or chronic diseases
Developing new drugs and testing them on humans or animals
Creating clinical trials to experimentally test the drugs
Spearheading the design and development of new medical devices
Developing programs within communities that helps to improve the health of the population
Developing and testing new drugs until the FDA approves
Studying links between habits and diseases/conditions (diet to diabetes, etc.)
