Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

Program Overview

This selective honors degree in Pharmacy prepares students for research and hands-on involvement in the field. It provides a strong scientific foundation, specialized biomedical knowledge, and extensive work-integrated learning experiences. Graduates are eligible for Australia-wide registration as pharmacists and have career opportunities in various pharmacy settings, the pharmaceutical industry, and health policy.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This selective-entry, research-oriented honours degree is designed for capable and highly-motivated students who want hands-on involvement in research projects. It prepares you for the compulsory one-year internship that you will need to complete in order to gain Australia-wide registration as a pharmacist. Once you've successfully completed the degree and the internship, you will be registered to practise in any area of pharmacy in Australia, including community or hospital pharmacy. Alternatively, this degree provides you with a foundation from which you can progress with further studies, to achieve a range of other career opportunities.

Outline:

• Year 1: Students will study a selection of science subjects, to give you a sound scientific base.
Subjects include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, immunology. You’ll also study pharmacy-specific subjects, engaging you in the development of professional skills and an understanding of the social factors that contribute towards health.
• Year 2: Students will start to specialise in the biomedical sciences that contribute towards the pharmacy profession.
As well as being introduced to pharmacology, physiology, and the physical characteristics of dosage forms, you'll study pharmacy-specific professional practice subjects and engage in your first work-integrated learning (WIL) experience in second semester.
• Year 3: Students will complete in-depth study of therapeutics, supported by more detailed pharmacology, and expand your knowledge and skills in pharmacy practice, with increased emphasis on work-integrated learning activities.
You’ll study advanced formulations, learn how to compound medicines for individual patients, and how the quality of medicines is regulated and assured.
• Year 4: Students will expand your pharmacy practice and therapeutics proficiency through integrated study and engage in further work-integrated learning (WIL) activities.
You’ll learn about recent developments in medicines, and complete a subject preparing you for a research project in your final semester of study.

Assessment:

Your assessment in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) will span written assignments, oral presentations, work-integrated learning assessments, formal tests, exams, quizzes, and more depending on subject requirements.

Teaching:

Teaching labs are equipped with the latest pharmacy facilities. You’ll begin to develop the skills of a pharmacy practitioner in the purpose-built model pharmacy, together with practical work experience in hospital, community and specialist work-integrated learning environments. You will be taught by experienced professionals skilled in cutting-edge research and sessional staff with current industry experience.

Careers:

Career options include working in both community and hospital pharmacies, for the pharmaceutical industry, or in health policy and administration roles.