Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours)

This is a prestigious program of coursework and research in pharmaceutical science for high achieving students who have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. You will undertake research methodology training and carry out an independent research project on your selected topic, working closely with a supervisor who will provide you with individual guidance and academic counselling. The course offers a pathway to higher level research in pharmaceutical science.

Studies can be undertaken within the general research themes of:

• medicinal chemistry
• drug discovery biology
• drug delivery, disposition and dynamics (formulation science)
• medicine use and safety

With permission of the Graduate Research Committee, it may also be possible to undertake a portion of the research in an external institution such as a hospital or industry laboratory. If a substantial portion of the research work is to be carried out in an external institution you will have an internal supervisor from the faculty and an associate supervisor from the relevant institution.

Specialisations

• Drug discovery biology
• Formulation science
• Medicine use and safety
• Medicinal chemistry

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, 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 you will be able to:

1. work independently to undertake a scientific literature review and work collaboratively to design, develop and implement a research project
2. collect, organise, manipulate, analyse and interpret data meaningfully using experimental and computational approaches
3. develop, apply, integrate and generate knowledge in professional contexts to analyse challenges and to develop effective solutions
4. demonstrate technical competence to use analytical instrumentation, conduct experimental procedures and methodologies in laboratory based disciplines
5. communicate ideas and results effectively to diverse audiences and in a variety of formats.

This course consists of a combination of coursework and research. In the coursework component you will develop advanced theoretical and/or technical knowledge of the area of research focus within Pharmaceutical Science, that is, medicinal chemistry, drug discovery biology, formulation science and medicine use and safety. In the research component you will develop research methodologies appropriate to your focus and plan and execute a research project under the guidance of at least one academic supervisor.

This course comprises 48 points including Research (36 points) and Coursework (12 points).

Drug discovery biology

• PSC4312 Research in drug discovery biology (36 points)
• PSC4311 Advanced drug discovery biology (12 points)

Formulation science

• PSC4212 Research in formulation science (36 points)
• PSC4211 Advanced formulation science (12 points)

Medicine use and safety

• PSC4412 Research in medicine use and safety (36 points)
• PSC4411 Advanced medicine use and safety (12 points)

Medicinal chemistry

• PSC4112 Research in medicinal chemistry (36 points)
• PSC4111 Advanced medicinal chemistry (12 points)

Satisfactory completion of this course may provide credit toward a Monash Masters by coursework degree and provides the preparation necessary to undertake a Masters by research degree or a Doctorate (PhD) degree although admission depends upon results.