Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Pharmacy Program

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program at the University of Canberra is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and experience required to become a registered pharmacist. This four-year, full-time course teaches the science behind the practical preparation of drugs and medicines, as well as how to apply evidence-based knowledge, research, and scientific theory to the clinical reasoning, treatment, and evaluation of patients.

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program is a comprehensive course that covers the theoretical, technical, written, practical, and clinical components of pharmacy. Students will explore the science behind the preparation of drugs and medicines, learn how to prepare a wide range of drugs and medicines, and understand how the human body reacts to certain medications. The program also includes an embedded Honours program for high-achieving students looking to progress into pharmacy research or academic careers.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program consists of 96 credit points, with a combination of core and restricted choice units. The program is divided into four years, with each year building on the previous one to provide a comprehensive education in pharmacy.

• Core Major in Allied Health (CM0023) - 24 credit points
• Specialist Major in Foundations of Pharmaceutical Science (SM0052) - 24 credit points
• Specialist Major in Pharmacotherapeutics (SM0079) - 24 credit points
• Professional Stream or Honours Stream - 24 credit points

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Pharmacy program is based on an entrance rank, which can be achieved through various means, including:

• Year 12 ATAR
• Other Australian qualifications
• Work experience
• Overseas qualifications

Additional Admission Requirements

All students in the Bachelor of Pharmacy program are required to complete clinical practice placement in blocks of time, often outside of teaching time. Prior to commencing clinical practice, all students need to present a complete immunisation schedule as a requirement of the ACT and NSW health departments. All students are also required to undergo an Australian Federal Police Record check prior to undertaking clinical placement in the ACT, and a NSW Police check before undertaking placement in NSW.

Assumed Knowledge

The assumed knowledge for the Bachelor of Pharmacy program includes:

• ACT: Mathematical Methods major and either Biology or Human Movement major(s); and Chemistry or Physics major(s)
• NSW: Mathematics and either Biology or Human Movement, and Physics or Chemistry

Periods Course is Open for New Admissions

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program is open for new admissions in Semester 1 of each year.

Credit Arrangements

There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy.

Course Requirements

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program requires students to complete 96 credit points, with a combination of core and restricted choice units. The program includes a range of units, including:

• Systemic Anatomy and Physiology
• Regional Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences
• Understanding People and Behaviour
• Essential Pharmacology
• Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology
• Pharmaceutical Science 1 and 2
• Chemical Concepts
• Fundamentals of Biochemistry
• Biochemistry and Metabolism
• Chemical Foundations
• Clinical Therapeutics 1-4
• Systems Pharmacology 1-3
• Pharmacy Practice 1-5

Typical Study Pattern

The typical study pattern for the Bachelor of Pharmacy program is four years full-time, with each year divided into two semesters. The program includes a range of units, with a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practical classes.

Course Information

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council and is recognized as a qualification for registration as a pharmacist in Australia. The program includes a range of learning outcomes, including:

• Broad and coherent, theoretical and technical knowledge of the discipline of pharmacy
• Independent cognitive, technical, and communication skills that underpin the safe and accountable practice of pharmacy
• Integrated critical analysis of evidence-based research with an in-depth study of medicines management and patient care across diverse contexts
• Incorporated innovative thinking and an advanced theoretical and technical body of professional knowledge with emerging research ideas that can inform future areas of pharmacy practice
• Exercised well-developed judgement in the identification, development and implementation of solutions to complex problems through independent completion of a research project
• Analysed novel research findings that are cohesively integrated with the knowledge and ideas of others and transmitted this information appropriately to a variety of audiences

Majors

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program includes three majors:

• Specialist Major in Pharmacotherapeutics (SM0079)
• Core Major in Allied Health (CM0023)
• Specialist Major in Foundations of Pharmaceutical Science (SM0052)

Awards

The Bachelor of Pharmacy program offers two awards:

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) (B Pharm (Hons))

Honours

To graduate with honours, students must attain a GPA of at least 5.5 to enter the Honours program and then maintain a GPA of at least 5 across all other units undertaken in the Bachelor of Pharmacy whilst completing the Honours program.

Enrolment Data

The enrolment data for the Bachelor of Pharmacy program is available on the University of Canberra website.

Enquiries

For further information about the Bachelor of Pharmacy program, please contact the Faculty of Health.