Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other.

Degree Overview

Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other (CIP 26.1099) is an advanced chemical-safety and drug-design discipline focused on the "molecular impact" of foreign substances on living organisms. While standard pharmacology focuses on developing known drug classes, professionals in this "Other" category are "Chemical Intelligence Strategists." They study predictive toxicology, environmental chemical signaling, neuro-pharmacology, and the development of "smart" delivery systems. It is a path for "molecular detectives" who want to ensure that the chemicals we create—whether for medicine or industry—enhance life without unintended biological consequences.

This field is ideal for "high-stakes analysts"—individuals who are fascinated by how a single molecule can trigger a massive immune response or neutralize a toxin, and who want to apply that knowledge to drug safety, forensics, or environmental protection.

What Is an "Other" Pharmacology and Toxicology Degree?

A degree in this category is a chemistry-heavy STEM path that emphasizes pharmacokinetics, xenobiotics, and molecular pathology. You will study the "Chemical Core"—how substances enter, move through, and exit the body—but your focus will be on specialized or unconventional agents. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Eco-Toxicology (how industrial chemicals affect entire ecosystems), Forensic Toxicology (detecting poisons in criminal cases), or Nanopharmacology (using tiny machines to deliver drugs). It prepares you to be a "Chemical Risk Expert" capable of predicting the biological future of a molecule.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train "Safety Assessment Scientists" who evaluate the long-term cancer or mutation risks of new consumer products
• Develop experts in Computational Toxicology, using AI to predict the toxicity of a chemical before it is ever tested on a living cell
• Prepare professionals for Regulatory Affairs, helping companies navigate the strict FDA or EPA laws governing chemical and drug approval
• Study Neuro-Toxicology, exploring how environmental heavy metals or synthetic drugs specifically damage the brain and nervous system

What Will You Learn?

Students learn that "the dose makes the poison." You focus on the biochemical logic and mathematical modeling required to determine safe thresholds for human and environmental exposure.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Master Pharmacokinetic Modeling—calculating the rate at which the liver and kidneys process and clear a specific substance
• Use "High-Throughput Screening"—using robotics to test thousands of chemical compounds simultaneously for biological activity
• Design Bio-Assays—creating laboratory tests that measure the specific effect of a toxin on heart or lung cells
• Perform Mass Spectrometry—identifying unknown chemical "signatures" in blood, water, or soil samples
• Utilize Dose-Response Analysis—statistically determining the exact point where a helpful drug becomes a harmful toxin
• Understand Epigenetic Toxicology—studying how chemical exposure can change which genes are active in future generations

Topics You May Explore

Coursework is a deep dive into organic chemistry, cellular biology, and public safety:

• Mechanistic Toxicology: The step-by-step study of how a toxin physically destroys a cell's DNA or mitochondria.
• Clinical Pharmacology: Exploring how different people (based on age or genetics) respond differently to the same medication.
• Environmental Fate of Chemicals: How pesticides and plastics move through the food chain and eventually reach humans.
• Immunotoxicology: The study of substances that cause the immune system to "misfire," leading to allergies or autoimmune disorders.
• Drug Discovery and Development: The multi-year process of moving a chemical from a computer model to a pharmacy shelf.
• Forensic Chemistry: The specialized science of identifying illicit drugs, poisons, and performance enhancers in legal investigations.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

Graduates find roles as safety leads, research directors, and forensic specialists in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and government sectors.

Common job roles include:

• Toxicologist (Regulatory or Industrial): Testing the safety of everything from new shampoos to industrial pesticides.
• Pharmacologist (Drug Discovery): Leading teams to design new molecules that can treat diseases like Alzheimer's or HIV.
• Forensic Toxicologist: Providing expert testimony and lab analysis for criminal investigations and medical examiner offices.
• Risk Assessment Manager: Helping government agencies like the EPA set safe limits for chemicals in our air and water.
• Medical Science Liaison: Explaining the complex safety and efficacy data of new drugs to healthcare professionals.
• Environmental Safety Officer: Managing the chemical footprint and safety protocols for large manufacturing plants.

Where Can You Work?

These specialists are the "chemical guardians" of the modern world:

• Pharmaceutical Giants: Working at companies like Pfizer or Merck on drug safety and efficacy.
• Government Regulatory Bodies: Working for the FDA, EPA, or the DEA on public safety and drug control.
• Crime Labs and Medical Examiners: Solving the "chemical puzzles" behind mysterious deaths or crimes.
• Agrochemical Companies: Designing safer fertilizers and pesticides that don't harm bees or humans.
• Cosmetic and Food Industries: Ensuring that every ingredient in our daily products is non-toxic and shelf-stable.

How Much Can You Earn?

Because of the extreme technical responsibility and the legal implications of chemical safety, salaries in this field are high.

• Senior Toxicologists/Pharmacologists: Median annual salary of approximately $105,000–$155,000+.
• Forensic Toxicology Specialists: Salaries typically range from $75,000 to $110,000.
• Regulatory Affairs Managers: Median annual salary of around $115,000–$170,000.
• Entry-Level Lab Researchers: Often start between $62,000 and $80,000.

Is This Degree Hard?

The difficulty is in the chemical density and the zero-margin for error. You must be a master of Organic Chemistry and be able to visualize how invisible molecules will interact with trillions of cells. It requires a brilliantly analytical, skeptical, and detail-driven mindset—you must always be looking for the "side effect" or the "hidden risk." It is a major that rewards those who are "Molecular Strategists" and who find purpose in being the scientific barrier between progress and catastrophe.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Love chemistry but want to use it for human safety rather than just making new materials
• Are fascinated by how "poisons" work and how they can sometimes be turned into "cures"
• Want to be a scientist who has a direct role in protecting the environment from industrial waste
• Enjoy the meticulous work of a lab combined with the logic of a detective novel
• Believe that our world is becoming too chemically complex and needs experts to manage the risks

How to Prepare in High School

• Take AP Chemistry and AP Biology; these are the two pillars of the entire field
• Take Statistics; calculating "safe levels" of exposure is entirely dependent on statistical probability
• Practice Laboratory Precision—any project where you have to measure and record data with extreme accuracy is helpful
• Join a Science Research Program to learn how to read peer-reviewed scientific journals early on
• Read about "The Opioid Crisis" or "The History of Toxicology" to see the social impact of chemical regulation

The ability to apply chemical logic and toxicological mastery to the complexities of human and environmental safety is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.