BBSC, 1 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25755
(304) 696-7313  |  fax: (304) 696-7391  Email: nelsonv@marshall.edu

Dr. Gary O. Rankin, Chair

The Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology provides teaching and research opportunities in all three biomedical science areas. Pharmacology is the study of the biological actions of drugs. Students studying pharmacology will find that emphasis is placed on indications for prototypical drug use, mechanisms of drug action(s), interactions of drugs with their receptors, side effects of drug use, drug-drug interactions and contraindications to the use of certain drugs. Physiology is the study of how the body normally functions. Students studying physiology learn about how organ and other body systems work and how the body maintains the proper levels of electrolytes, gases and nutrients. Toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals, both natural and man-made. Students studying toxicology learn about mechanisms of toxicity, bioactivation of chemicals to toxic species, antidotes and treatments, and safety assessments.