There are five things to consider when looking for the best pharmacology classes: appropriate level, small class size, qualified instructors, accreditation, and hands-on learning. Pharmacology classes are available from universities and community or career colleges. A pharmacology course can help you to complete a pharmacology program, count toward a minor specialty, or improve your career opportunities. The interest in pharmacology has grown dramatically as the number of drugs and medications available has increased. Pharmacology is the study of the effect of drugs on biological systems, such as the human body.
The level of pharmacology courses varies quite widely, depending on the institute and its target audience. Read the course description carefully, and make sure it provides the appropriate level of detail for your needs. If you are taking a pharmacology course as part of a pharmacist or pharmacology degree, check with your registrar to ensure the course is appropriate. People who are taking a pharmacology course as a minor specialty, or elective, should make sure they have the background necessary to understand all the concepts being presented.
Pharmacology classes combine theory and practical application. The lower the number of students in the class, the more individual attention the instructor can provide to each student. It is important to grasp the theory and the actual techniques from pharmacology classes, as these techniques provide the basis for all subsequent study. This program requires a combination of chemical and biological analysis skills.
Pharmacology classes should be taught by qualified instructors who are experts in their field. For example, cellular analysis of biological materials should be taught by a biologist, and chemical modeling should be taught by a chemist. The level of skill of the instructor has a huge impact on the depth of material that can be covered. The response of the body to different drugs and their interaction with each other is critical to both the pharmaceutical industry and the well-being of patients.
When reviewing pharmacology course options, it is important to ensure that the school is accredited. An accredited school has been reviewed by an independent agency to ensure minimum standards are met. In addition, only courses from an accredited school can be transferred to other programs. This is very important, as many students take these courses as an elective from a different school.
If you are taking courses toward a program in pharmacology, visit the laboratories to ensure that there is one workstation per student. Ask about after-hours access to the lab to complete homework assignments. There is a significant amount of laboratory work in these courses, and it is important to have enough time to use the laboratory equipment.