Bachelor of Pharmacy

Course code: 2628 + Course abbreviation: BPharm + Total credit points required: 192 + 4 years full-time

Study mode and course location

On-campus (Parkville - F/T only)

Course description

Pharmacists are health professionals with the skills and knowledge to manage a patient’s understanding and utilisation of medication, in order to optimise medicines related to health outcomes.

The degree has four major areas of study: medicinal chemistry (the chemistry of drugs); pharmacology (the modes of actions of drugs); pharmaceutics (the formulation of drug dose forms); and pharmacy practice (the application of all of these to the professional practice of pharmacy).

During third and fourth year, students undertake work placements in hospitals and community pharmacies through the Practical Experiences program. The program provides an understanding of the processes involved in, for example, providing primary health care, drug information, and clinical pharmacy services in different practice environments.

To be registered as a pharmacist, students must complete an additional one year pre registration program under the supervision of the Pharmacy Board. Monash University offers this pre registration program as part of the Graduate Certificate in Pharmacy Practice.

Course objectives

The course aims to produce graduates with a knowledge and understanding of the sciences, technologies and practices which underpin pharmacy as a profession. With the clinical skills gained in the third and fourth years of the course, graduates will be equipped with the competencies necessary for registration as pharmacists capable of building a career in any branch of pharmacy.

Special requirements

Police checks are required for the practical experience placements in clinical and community settings in the Bachelor of Pharmacy. All students will be required to obtain and pay for a police check prior to undertaking the clinical and community placements in their course. For further information or for clarification, contact the placement program coordinator, email pep@vcp.monash.edu.au.

Course structure

Course requirements

First year

First semester

VCP1011 Pharmacy practice IA
VCP1021 Medicinal chemistry IA
VCP1071 Pharmaceutical chemistry A
VCP1081 Physiology I

Second semester

VCP1012 Pharmacy practice IB
VCP1022 Medicinal chemistry IB
VCP1072 Pharmaceutical chemistry B
VCP1082 Physiology II

Second year

First semester

VCP2011 Pharmacy practice IIA
VCP2021 Medicinal chemistry IIA
VCP2031 Pharmaceutics IA
VCP2041 Pharmacology IA
VCP2091 Biochemistry

Second semester

VCP2012 Pharmacy practice IIB
VCP2022 Medicinal chemistry IIB
VCP2032 Pharmaceutics IB
VCP2042 Pharmacology IB
VCP2062 Pharmaceutical microbiology I

Third year

First semester

VCP3011 Pharmacy practice IIIA
VCP3021 Medicinal chemistry IIIA
VCP3031 Pharmaceutics IIA
VCP3041 Pharmacology IIA
VCP3051 Clinical pharmacy I Part A
VCP3061 Pharmaceutical microbiology II

Second semester

VCP3012 Pharmacy practice IIIB
VCP3022 Medicinal chemistry IIIB
VCP3032 Pharmaceutics IIB
VCP3042 Pharmacology IIB
VCP3052 Clinical pharmacy I Part B

Fourth year

First semester

VCP4011 Pharmacy practice IVA
VCP4031 Pharmaceutics III
VCP4041 Pharmacology III
VCP4051 Clinical pharmacy II Part A

Second semester

VCP4012 Pharmacy practice IVB
VCP4052 Clinical pharmacy II Part B
VCP4092 Drug development

Bachelor of Pharmacy (with honours)

Students will qualify for the in-course Bachelor of Pharmacy (with honours) at the conclusion of the four-year pharmacy course, awarded in one of the grades of H1, H2A or H2B, where the aggregate of the marks they obtain in all units attempted reaches minimum levels of achievement determined by the faculty board.

Course progression requirements

Students must pass the examinations in all the units prescribed for study during the first year of the course before the faculty will admit them to the next year of the course, and likewise for each succeeding year.

The full provisions governing the course structure and progress of students through the course are set out in the Bachelor of Pharmacy regulations, which can be found on the faculty's website at www.vcp.monash.edu.au.

Professional recognition

Pharmacy Board of Victoria

To qualify for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Victoria, a period of pre-registration practical training is required as an educational bridge linking the undergraduate course and the graduate’s work as a registered pharmacist. Students MUST be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Victoria to commence collation of their training hours as an undergraduate. For detailed information, refer to the entry under 'Pharmacy pre-registration training' later in this section of this handbook.

Royal Australian Chemical Institute

Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates from the Victorian College of Pharmacy are eligible to become members of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) after a period of practical experience. RACI members are able to practise in many areas of industry as professional chemists and receive the salaries determined by the RACI.

Contact details

Telephone +61 3 9903 9635, email info@vcp.monash.edu.au or visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au.

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