Master of Pharmacy

Program Overview

This advanced master's program in pharmacy provides specialized knowledge in various areas of pharmacy practice, including clinical pharmacy, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry. The program emphasizes practical training in community and hospital pharmacy settings, fostering professional development and readiness for diverse career pathways in the expanding field of pharmacy.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This master's degree course provides advanced study in the areas of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapy and health systems, and includes practical training in community and hospital pharmacy. The program differs from others in several ways:

• Small class size: The program has a small yearly intake of around 50 students, fostering an excellent learning culture with small group study and ready access to academic and professional staff.
• One-on-one interaction: Students benefit from a lot of one-to-one interaction with academic and professional staff, particularly in the area of Pharmacy Practice, which enhances their professional interpersonal skills.
• Work-based training: The program offers every student the opportunity for work-based training in community, hospital, and aged care facilities, providing insight into various career pathways and exposure to diverse healthcare settings.
• Alternative placements: Eligible students can participate in alternative placements in rural Australia and international locations.
The Australian government predicts strong employment growth for pharmacists over the coming years due to the expanding role of pharmacists in healthcare delivery.

Outline:

Year 1:

• MICR5833 Antimicrobial Agents (6 points): This unit covers the principles of antimicrobial chemotherapy, including the mechanisms of action, resistance, and clinical applications of antimicrobial agents.
• PHCY5601 Introduction to Pharmacy Practice (6 points): This unit introduces students to the core principles of pharmacy practice, including patient care, medication management, and professional ethics.
• PHCY5602 Integrated Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice 1 (6 points): This unit integrates pharmacology, therapeutics, and pharmacy practice, focusing on the application of pharmacological principles to patient care.
• PHCY5606 Foundations of Primary Care (6 points): This unit explores the principles of primary care, including the role of pharmacists in providing patient-centered care in community settings.
• PHCY5610 Physical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics (6 points): This unit covers the physical and chemical properties of drugs and their impact on drug delivery and absorption.
• PHCY5611 Medicinal Product Formulation (6 points): This unit explores the principles of drug formulation, including the design and development of pharmaceutical dosage forms.
• PHCY5615 Pharmacy Placement I (12 points): This unit provides students with practical experience in a community pharmacy setting, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
• PHCY5618 Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis (6 points): This unit covers the chemical principles underlying drug synthesis, analysis, and quality control.
• PHCY5619 Medicinal Chemistry for Pharmacy (6 points): This unit explores the relationship between drug structure and activity, focusing on the design and development of new drugs.
• PHCY5631 Professionalism in Action Part 1 (0 points): This unit focuses on developing professional skills, including communication, teamwork, and ethical decision-making.

Year 2:

• PHCY5603 Applied Pharmacotherapy (6 points): This unit applies pharmacological principles to the management of specific disease states, focusing on the selection and monitoring of drug therapy.
• PHCY5609 Fundamentals of Research in Pharmacy (6 points): This unit introduces students to the principles of research methodology, including study design, data analysis, and scientific writing.
• PHCY5612 Integrated Therapeutics and Pharmacy Practice (6 points): This unit integrates therapeutics and pharmacy practice, focusing on the application of pharmacological principles to patient care in various settings.
• PHCY5613 Management and Economics in Pharmacy (6 points): This unit explores the business aspects of pharmacy, including financial management, marketing, and legal considerations.
• PHCY5614 Pharmacy Research Project (12 points): This unit provides students with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member.
• PHCY5616 Pharmacy Placement II (12 points): This unit provides students with practical experience in a hospital pharmacy setting, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.

Careers:

• Community Pharmacy: Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for members of the community who need health advice or someone to talk to about their health concerns.
They provide medication management, patient counseling, and health education.
• Hospital Pharmacy: Hospital pharmacists work as part of a healthcare team to ensure optimal medication management for patients.
They may specialize in specific areas like oncology or infectious diseases.
• Consultant Pharmacy: Consultant pharmacists work in general practice alongside general practitioners to review a patient's medications and optimize their therapy.
• Pharmaceutical Companies: Pharmacy graduates can work for pharmaceutical companies in areas like marketing, regulatory control, clinical trial coordination, manufacturing, quality assurance, or research in drug design and development.
• Government Organizations: Some graduates work for government organizations involved in drug regulation, public health, or research.
• Academia and Research: Pharmacy graduates can pursue careers in academia and research, conducting research, teaching, or publishing scientific articles.

Other:

• Inter-professional learning: Pharmacy students engage in genuine inter-professional learning during the course through close association with other health professions at UWA.
• Taught by world-renowned academics: The program is taught by world-renowned academics who are leaders in their field.
• Student Ambassador Program: Students can become student ambassadors representing the university.