Undergraduate - Course2894 - Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science

This course is centered around the chemical and biological sciences. It provides students with the knowledge and skills base in the pharmaceutical sciences to develop exciting careers in research and industry. Students in the course have the opportunity to interact with world class research groups and be trained in the laboratories of the Monash Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, which are equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation and infrastructure.

The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science has three major areas of study:

• formulation science explores inventing, making and testing new products in fields such as pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics
• medicinal chemistry aims to produce graduates with an in-depth understanding of the principles and techniques behind drug discovery and development
• drug discovery biology focuses on the discovery and understanding of biological drug targets, and their modulation by chemicals and other substances.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes. For more information refer to http://opvclt.monash.edu.au/curriculum-by-design/aligning-course-outcomes-with-aqf-bologna.html.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will:

• have acquired broad theoretical knowledge of pharmaceutical sciences and advanced knowledge of one of the course majors: medicinal chemistry, drug discovery biology or formulation science
• be able to solve problems by applying appropriate experimental design, scientific thinking, evidence-based approaches and data analysis
• have mastered the range of practical and analytical skills and techniques relevant to modern research and industrial laboratory environments
• be aware of technologies and developments shaping the pharmaceutical sciences
• possess vocational skills for professional practice within the pharmaceutical and related industries
• be equipped to participate in lifelong learning
• be able to demonstrate critical analysis, numeracy, information literacy, leadership skills and communication of, and about, science
• be able to appreciate and respect the ethical, legal and social responsibilities of a scientist in an international context

Refer to details at http://www.pharm.monash.edu.au/students/undergrad/policy/credit.html

96 credit points

In third year students who major in formulation science undertake a work placement in an industry as part of the unit Industry Placement.

This course consists of common units in first year and semester one of second year. In semester two of second year students select their major.

Note: There is a quota on each major and entry into the preferred major is not guaranteed. Selection will be based on performance in all first year units and will be dependent on demand for the major and the student's results.

This is a new course structure for students who are commencing this course in 2013. Students who began their studies prior to 2013 should consult the archived Handbook edition for the year in which they started their course. Archived handbooks are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks.

First year

Semester one

• PSC1011 Physiology I
• PSC1021 Bioorganic and medicinal chemistry I
• PSC1031 Physical chemistry I
• PSC1041 Mathematics for pharmaceutical scientists

Semester two

• PSC1012 Physiology II
• PSC1022 Bioorganic and medicinal chemistry II
• PSC1032 Physical chemistry II
• PSC1042 Introduction to pharmaceutical sciences

Second year

Semester one

• PSC2011 Biochemical pharmacology
• PSC2021 Structural organic chemistry
• PSC2031 Analytical methods
• PSC2041 Biopharmaceutics

Majors

Students must complete the course in one of the following majors.

Formulation science

Second year

Semester two

• PSC2012 Molecular pharmacology
• PSC2222 Formulation chemistry
• PSC2232 Colloid chemistry

One elective from:

• PSC2122 Synthetic organic chemistry
• PSC2132 Introduction to spectroscopy
• PSC2142 Computational chemistry

Third year

Semester one

• PSC3011 Applied analytical methods
• PSC3201 Product manufacture
• PSC3211 Industrial formulation
• PSC3221 Advanced formulations and nanotechnologies

Semester two

• PSC3202 Biomolecule formulation and modified release technologies
• PSC3212 Regulatory affairs
• PSC3222 Industry placement

One elective from:

• PSC3012 Disease states and pharmacological intervention
• PSC3022 Computational chemistry in drug design
• PSC3112 Drug discovery and development

Medicinal chemistry

Second year

Semester two

• PSC2012 Molecular pharmacology
• PSC2122 Synthetic organic chemistry
• PSC2132 Introduction to spectroscopy
• PSC2142 Computational chemistry

Third year

Semester one

• PSC3011 Applied analytical methods
• PSC3101 Advanced synthetic chemistry
• PSC3111 Molecular basis of drug action
• PSC3121 Spectroscopy

Semester two

• PSC3102 Synthetic medicinal chemistry
• PSC3112 Drug discovery and development
• PSC3122 Research project

One elective from:

• PSC3012 Disease states and pharmacological intervention
• PSC3022 Computational chemistry in drug design
• PSC3212 Regulatory affairs

Drug discovery biology

Second year

Semester two

• PSC2012 Molecular pharmacology
• PSC2322 Molecular cell biology
• PSC2332 Disease-focused pharmacology - peripheral

One elective from:

• PSC2122 Synthetic organic chemistry
• PSC2132 Introduction to spectroscopy
• PSC2142 Computational chemistry
• PSC2222 Formulation chemistry

Third year

Semester one

• PAC3191 Microbiology and immunology
• PSC3011 Applied analytical methods
• PSC3221 Advanced formulations and nanotechnologies
• PSC3301 Disease-focused pharmacology - CNS and cancer

Semester two

• PAC3512 Current aspects of pharmaceutical research
• PSC3122 Research project
• PSC3302 Chemical biology
• PSC3312 Current aspects of pharmaceutical biology

Outstanding graduates of this course may be eligible to apply for entry to 2631 Honours degree of Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science.

Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science