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Background Active learning methods are strategies used by most universities worldwide to enhance the problem-solving ability and develop critical thinking in students. Team-based learning (TBL) is one of these methods, in which students study the lesson prior to discussion. At the beginning of the session, the individual readiness assurance test (iRAT) is given to students, and then they answer the same questions through discussion in a team. Finally, problems are resolved by the teacher and results are given to students. Methods In the current study, 30 pharmacology students were randomly assigned to two groups of 16 and 14 subjects. The educational content of pharmaceutical biotechnology was given to the 16- and 14-subject groups using traditional lecturing and TBL methods, respectively. Finally, both groups were assessed and compared based on a same method. Results The average scores of the lecturing and TBL groups were 6.77 ± 1.97 and 8.32 ± 2.65 out of 13.75, respectively (6.25 scores belonged to class activities, which were not included in comparisons). No significant difference was observed between the mean score of groups (P = 0.07), although the difference was very close to significant, which can be attributed to the current study’s small sample size. One subject in the TBL group and six in the lecturing group failed to pass the course; the difference between the groups in this regard was noticeable. Conclusions Although results of the current study showed no significant superiority of TBL over the lecturing method, most students were satisfied with the TBL method. Hence, it is recommended to employ this method with freshmen.