Undergraduate - CourseBachelor 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 specialisations:

• 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 AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.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 specialisations: 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 the undergraduate credit transfer policyundergraduate credit transfer policy (http://intranet.monash.edu.au/pharm/students/undergrad/policy/credit.html).

96 credit points

In third year students who specialise in formulation science undertake a work placement in industry.

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

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

First year

Semester one

• PSC1011 Physiology I
• PSC1021 Bioorganic and medicinal chemistry I
• PSC1031 Physical chemistry I
• PSC1041 Scientific Inquiry

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

Specialisations

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

Formulation science

Second year

Semester two

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

plus one elective from:

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

Third year

Semester one

• PSC3211 Industrial formulation
• PSC3221 Biomolecule formulation and modified release technologies
• PSC3231 Pharmaceutical product manufacture
• PSC3041 Applied analytical methods

Semester two

• PSC3212 Product Development
• PAC3222 Advanced Formulations and nanotechnologies
• PSC3232 Industry placement

plus one elective from:

• PSC3322 Current aspects of cancer biology
• PSC3112 Drug discovery and development
• PSC3142 Computational drug design

Medicinal chemistry

Second year

Semester two

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

Third year

Semester one

• PSC3111 Molecular basis of drug action
• PSC3121 Advanced synthetic chemistry
• PSC3131 Spectroscopy
• PSC3041 Applied analytical methods

Semester two

• PSC3112 Drug discovery and development
• PSC3122 Synthetic medicinal chemistry
• PSC3132 Medicinal chemistry research project
• PSC3142 Computational drug design

Drug discovery biology

Second year

Semester two

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

plus 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
• PSC3321 Disease-focused pharmacology - CNS and cancer
• PSC3111 Molecular basis of drug action
• PSC3041 Applied analytical methods

Semester two

• PSC3312 Chemical biology
• PSC3322 Current aspects of cancer biology
• PSC3322 Drug delivery research project
• PAC3512 Current aspects of pharmaceutical research

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