What can I do with a degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology?
- Academic-based Research Laboratories (basic science)
- Animal Health
- Biomedical / Biotechnology Industry
- Chemical Industry
- Clinical Research
- Consumer Products Industry–regulatory and toxicology roles
- Consulting / Risk Assessment
- Contract Research Labs / Organizations / Contract Manufacturing
- Cosmetic Industry
- Education—secondary or higher
- Emerging Technologies
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Monitoring / Industrial Hygiene / Toxicology
- Forensic Science
- Healthcare Companies
- Health Professions (various)
- Law (health / intellectual / patent)
- Manufacturing (Pharmaceutical / Biopharma)
- Medical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Nutrition Industry
- Pharmaceutical Industry / Science
- Regulatory Affairs
- Research / Development
- Scientific Media and Communications
- Specialized Areas of Toxicology
- Technical Sales / Marketing
Possible Careers
Many careers require graduate-level education or further training. Options include:
- Cancer Researcher
- Cell/Molecular Biologist
- Clinical Researcher
- Consultant
- Dentist
- Drug/Toxicant Information Specialist
- Forensic Scientist / Toxicologist
- Intellectual Property Lawyer
- Laboratory Animal Care Provider
- Lab Technician
- Medical Doctor
- Patent Lawyer / Officer
- Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Marketing / Sales
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
- Pharmacologist
- Product Development/Testing
- Professor / Teacher
- Quality Control / Assurance
- Regulatory Toxicologist
- Researcher / Scientist
- Risk Assessment (modeling)
- Science Writer / Editor
- Technical Marketing / Sales / Writing
- Toxicologist
- Veterinarian
Firms and Career Websites of Interest to Pharmacology and Toxicology Majors
Students enrolled in the BS “PharmTox” major, students considering the program, and program alumni are encouraged to contact the program’s academic and career advisors for information on Wisconsin-based and national companies of particular interest to students with such educational backgrounds.
Career Spotlight: Amanda Nelson (BS ’21)
PharmTox alumna Amanda Nelson (BS ’21) is focused on improving access to healthcare. She currently works at Faktor, distilling technical knowledge from the world of health care policy into key takeaways for colleagues and community health centers. Read more »
Interested in Becoming a Pharmacist?
Learn More about the Pharmacology and Toxicology Assured Admission into the PharmD Program.
The UW-Madison School of Pharmacy’s Pharmacology and Toxicology assured admission program provides a structured pathway with conditional admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program for highly qualified graduates of the BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology. PharmTox graduates gain assured admission into the PharmD program by completing the eligibility requirements listed below.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Meet with your PharmTox advisor once per semester.
- Submit a simplified PharmCAS application by the Priority Deadline of the year before entering the PharmD program. Assured admission students do not need to submit letters of recommendation to PharmCAS. Be sure to address the PharmD admissions selection criteria throughout your PharmCAS application.
- Apply for the fall admission term directly after graduation or one year after graduation (gap year) to be eligible for this program. For example, if you graduate in May 2025, preferred admission would be valid for the PharmD fall admission term up until Fall 2026.
- Successfully complete the PharmD admissions interview during the application cycle for which you will begin the PharmD program. Interviews must be completed by the last priority interview date in each cycle. A successful interview confirms you addressed the PharmD admissions selection criteria as well as exhibiting the professionalism required to be a student pharmacist.
- At the time you submit your PharmCAS application, you must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2. This GPA includes all college-level coursework including college courses taken while in high school. It also includes all repeated coursework attempts and any grades replaced due to a prior university’s academic or grade replacement policies.
- Complete prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C at the time of PharmCAS application submission with no more than a combination of two C’s and/or drops/withdrawals in all prerequisite course attempts.
- Remain in good academic standing and free of academic/non-academic misconduct sanctions.
Failure to earn your BS in Pharmacology and Toxicology prior to PharmD enrollment may result in admission revocation. The PharmTox assured admission program is designed for those who complete a Pharmacology and Toxicology degree prior to PharmD enrollment.
Interested PharmTox students who do not qualify for assured admission can still apply to the PharmD program via the traditional application process.
Alumni Connections
Many BS Pharmacology and Toxicology alumni are willing to connect with current students and potential program applicants regarding career and academic pathways that are available to graduates of the program. Contact PharmTox academic and career advisors to explore such Badger alumni connections.