The program is intended to prepare students for a professional career in community, hospital or industrial pharmacy or in related professional careers.

 

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) is designed to produce graduates who have the capacity to apply research skills and maintain the ability to undertake and manage research projects in a health related setting. The program will prepare students for postgraduate study or employment in research and development - specific to their professional practice in health.

 

The Pharmacy (Honours) program contains 6 general themes that are developed in an integrated manner across the 4 years (144 units of study) of the program. These are, broadly: scientific principles; communication and counselling skills; practice of pharmacy; development and formulation of medicines; medicines in disease treatment and health maintenance; research skills.

 

First year provides a foundation in scientific principles. Second year provides students with an understanding of medicines in disease treatment and health maintenance and formulation science is introduced. Third year takes on a clinical focus, with the pharmacotherapeutics courses which build on the scientific principles covered in years one and two. These courses will develop knowledge on the use of drugs in clinical settings and provide experience in influencing patient behaviour and medication use in the community. In the second half of third year, development and formulation of medicines takes on a futuristic focus (pharmacy in the future). In fourth year, further development of skills for the practice of pharmacy occurs as students gain a greater understanding of contemporary practice. This is achieved by integrating previously acquired skills and knowledge, and specifically includes a pharmacy-related research project within a clinical placement.