(やくがく)

やくがく
noun
pharmacy; pharmacology; pharmaceutical science
1. pharmacy; pharmacology; pharmaceutical science
The academic field studying drugs, medicines, and their effects on the body. Includes the development, preparation, and proper use of medications.
薬学(やくがく)(まな)んでいる。
I am studying pharmacy.
薬学部(やくがくぶ)六年制(ろくねんせい)になった。
The pharmacy department has become a six-year program.
薬学(やくがく)知識(ちしき)()かして製薬会社(せいやくがいしゃ)(はたら)いている。
I work at a pharmaceutical company, making use of my pharmacy knowledge.

Common collocations: 薬学部(やくがくぶ) (pharmacy department/faculty), 薬学(やくがく)研究(けんきゅう) (pharmaceutical research), 薬学(やくがく)博士号(はくしごう) (doctorate in pharmacy). In Japan, 薬学部(やくがくぶ) programs were extended from four to six years in 2006. Graduates can take the 薬剤師(やくざいし) (pharmacist) licensing exam. Part of the 〜学(がく) (study of ~) word family, like 医学(いがく) (medicine) and 歯学(しがく) (dentistry).