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Monash University

Bachelor of Pharmacy

Course code: 2628 ~ Course abbreviation: BPharm ~ Total credit points required: 192 ~ 4 years full-time ~ Managing faculty: Pharmacy

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 Professional 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 a pre-registration program, either as a stand-alone course or 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, and capable of building a career in any branch of pharmacy.

Special requirements

Police checks are required for the professional 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
Second semester

Second year

First semester
Second semester

Third year

First semester
Second semester

Fourth year

First semester
Second semester

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 http://www.vcp.monash.edu.au.

Professional recognition

Pharmacy Board of Victoria

To practice as a pharmacist in Victoria it is necessary to register with the Pharmacy Board of Victoria. To qualify for registration with the Pharmacy Board of Victoria, a period of pre-registration practical training must be undertaken after completing the undergraduate course. 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 http://www.vcp.monash.edu.au.