<< >>

Bachelor of Pharmacy


Entry requirements

The college receives many more applications than it has places available, and it is therefore necessary to select applicants on the basis of academic merit. In order to be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Pharmacy course applicants from Victoria must fulfil the following basic requirements.

Victorian Certificate of Education

Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4

When making an academic judgement to distinguish between applicants in the vicinity of the quota cut-off mark, consideration will be given to the full range of an applicant's VCE studies and results with particular reference to the level of performance in CATs in prerequisite studies.

It is believed that the studies Biology and Physics provide a useful background for students commencing the pharmacy course; however such studies do not attract any special bonus when selection scores are computed.

For the information of Victorian VCE students, the TER for entry to the pharmacy course in 1996 was 96.05.

Australian residents who have successfully completed post-secondary studies, or equivalent interstate and overseas qualifications in appropriate subjects, will also be considered eligible for admission to a limited number of places in the Bachelor of Pharmacy course.

International Baccalaureate

For entry in 1997 applicants must fulfil the following basic requirements:

Interstate applicants

Interstate applicants will be evaluated on the basis of their local Year 12 examination results which must include passes in English, chemistry, and a branch of mathematics.

Overseas applicants

Overseas students studying for the Victorian Certificate of Education in Victoria should apply for entry through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre.

Overseas students undertaking foundation studies or tertiary studies in Victoria who wish to apply for admission to the Bachelor of Pharmacy may do so by contacting the faculty registrar and requesting an application form.

Overseas students residing overseas or interstate applying for scholarships under the Federal Government's Australian Development Cooperation Scholarship scheme (ADCOS) may apply for admission to the college through ADCOS by contacting their local Australian overseas post.

Applications for admission to the college from students residing overseas will only be accepted from candidates who have achieved outstanding results in an appropriate year 12 or equivalent program.

Credit transfer

Successful applicants who have completed or partially completed a post-secondary education course will have their prior study assessed on an individual basis.

Credit, if any, for specified subjects in the pharmacy course will be determined in consultation with members of academic staff after due consideration of where and when the applicant's previous study was attempted, the results achieved, and its current relevance to the curriculum of the pharmacy course. The outcome of these determinations will be conveyed in writing to the persons concerned, usually at the time of enrolment.

In cases of disagreement with any such credit determinations, the persons concerned may appeal in writing to the faculty registrar setting out their reasons for requesting a review and enclosing original or certified copies of documents in support of their claims.

Application procedure

Application forms for admission may be obtained from the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre at 40 Park Street, South Melbourne, 3205. The completed forms must be lodged with the VTAC prior to the September closing date of the year preceding that in which enrolment is desired.

Intending applicants should note that the Bachelor of Pharmacy is full-time, and that the college's academic year runs from late February to December.

Change to Bachelor of Pharmacy course

Students entering first year in 1997 are advised that commencing in 1997 the academic course leading to the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree will comprise four years full-time study. The academic course will be followed by a period of practical training the actual length of which has yet to be determined by the Pharmacy Board of Victoria in consultation with the College.

Aims and objectives of the Bachelor of Pharmacy

The aim of the four-year Bachelor of Pharmacy course at the Victorian College of Pharmacy is to produce graduands with a knowledge and understanding of the sciences and technologies which underpin pharmacy as a profession and, together with a level of clinical skills gained in the third and fourth years of the course, to have acquired the competencies suitable for registration as pharmacists capable of building a career in any branch of pharmacy.

The undergraduate studies are to be oriented towards and placed within a pharmacy context.

Any period of pre-registration practical training which may be required must be regarded as an essential educational bridge which links the undergraduate course and the graduand's work as a registered pharmacist.

At the end of the undergraduate course graduands are expected:

To meet these aims, the graduand should have:

1 A detailed knowledge of

2 A general knowledge of 3 An understanding of Note

The objectives are grouped into three sections, ie those requiring a `detailed knowledge,' a `general knowledge' and an `understanding'. These terms are not defined with precision, but are used to give an indication of the depth in which each topic is presented. The order in which the topics are listed is not to be taken as implying any emphasis or priority.

Curriculum

From 1997 the academic course will occupy four years of full-time study. Four grades of pass will be awarded in the following subjects of the course (high distinction, distinction, credit, pass). The 1996 HECS loading is listed in brackets after each subject of the course offered in 1996. Loadings for the fourth year do not exist at this time.

First year

Second year

Third year

Fourth year

Students are advised that when completing applications for Austudy support, they will be requested to list their HECS loading for each semester. If a student is enrolled for all subjects in a given year, their loading for each semester will be 0.500; however, if they have been granted exemptions from some subjects, their loading may be calculated by referring to the above information. In all cases, students are advised that it is best to check with the administrative officer at the college to ascertain their HECS loading if they are unsure.

BPharm degree rules

The detailed provisions governing the structure of the course and the progress of students through the course are set out in the Bachelor of Pharmacy regulations. The following rules amplify and supplement the provisions of the regulations.

1 The College Board is responsible for all matters relating to the course and the progress of students within the provisions of the course regulations and subject to other relevant Monash University statutes and regulations.

2 Subject to these rules, students must pass the examinations in all the subjects prescribed for study during the first year of the course before the college will admit them to the course of study in the subjects prescribed for the next year of the course and likewise for each succeeding year.

3 A candidate who fails to attain the standard set by the examiners at the examinations in any year may be admitted to repeat the course of study in the following year or may be excluded from the course.

4 A candidate who fails to attain the standard set by the examiners at the annual examinations on more than one occasion or who fails to attain the standard set by the examiners at the annual examinations after having been granted advanced standing in the pharmacy course or having failed in another tertiary institution may be excluded from the course.

5 Candidates who present themselves initially for the whole of the Pharmacy I, II or III examination may, at the discretion of the board of examiners, be granted credit for single subjects in which they have attained the standard set by the examiners.

6 With reference to the Pharmacy III examination, the single subject credits referred to in rule 5 may not be held beyond the Pharmacy III examination held in November the following year, after which time re-entry for the whole examination shall be required.

7 After two years have elapsed following the candidate's initial entry to the Pharmacy III examination, the college will not accept a further enrolment from the candidate.

8 Where sickness or other circumstances warranting compassion arise, candidates for examinations may apply for special consideration. The application which is required to be accompanied by a medical certificate or other documentary evidence must be lodged with the faculty registrar as soon as possible and not later than forty-eight hours after the relevant examination.

9 A candidate must observe the examination rules published in the general information chapter of this handbook.

10 The college will publish the results of examinations but the College Board may, in the case of a candidate's failing to observe the examination rules, omit the results of the said candidate and take action in accordance with the provisions of Statute 4.1 Discipline.

11 Supplementary examinations will be held when necessary at the discretion of the board of examiners. Individual examiners may prescribe additional examinations, either written, oral, or practical when and as required. Candidates are therefore advised to be available after the completion of the annual examinations and pending publication of the examination results.

Costs, charges and allowances

Fees

(Please note that fees set out below were correct at the time of printing but are subject to alteration.)

Students enrolling for the BPharm course on a full-time basis will be required to meet the following charges:


Item
$
Apparatus deposit*
60
Annual student membership of Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian Branch)
20
Annual subscription to the Victorian Pharmacy Students Association (granting access to Monash sporting facilities)
50
Practical manuals+
60
Total
190
* Refundable, less cost of breakages, at the termination of the course. Any student who breaks apparatus valued at more than $60 may be required to pay a further $60 deposit.
+ Preferred and simplest method of obtaining the college-produced manuals that students are encouraged to acquire and retain.



Students enrolling for the BPharm course on a part-time basis (above 0.5 and less than 0.75) will be required to meet the following charges:

Item
$
Apparatus deposit*
60
Annual student membership of Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian Branch)
20
Annual subscription to the Victorian Pharmacy Students Association (granting access to Monash sporting facilities)
35
Practical manuals+
40
Total
155
* Refundable, less cost of breakages, at the termination of the course. Any student who breaks apparatus valued at more than $60 may be required to pay a further $60 deposit.
+ Preferred and simplest method of obtaining the college-produced manuals that students are encouraged to acquire and retain.

Students enrolling for the BPharm course on a minimum part-time basis (less than 0.5) will be required to meet the following charges:

Item
$
Apparatus deposit*
60
Annual student membership of Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (Victorian Branch)
20
Annual subscription to the Victorian Pharmacy Students Association (granting access to Monash sporting facilities)
30
Practical manuals+
30
Total
140
* Refundable, less cost of breakages, at the termination of the course. Any student who breaks apparatus valued at more than $60 may be required to pay a further $60 deposit.
+ Preferred and simplest method of obtaining the college-produced manuals that students are encouraged to acquire and retain.

Full-fee paying overseas students commencing studies in 1997 are required to pay fees of $8400 per semester. These fees will incorporate the charges set out above.

In addition to the above fees, approximately $700 per annum is required for textbooks, dissecting instruments, stationery, etc.

Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS)

As from January 1989 all Australian students, other than those specifically exempted, who enrol in post-secondary institutions are liable to incur a charge under the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). In 1996 the course contribution set by the Federal Government was $2442 for each year of equivalent full-time study.

Australian Government means-tested allowances

Information on the Government living, incidentals, dependants, and travel allowances may be obtained from:

Director

Victorian State Office

Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs

222 Exhibition Street

Melbourne Vic 3000

Telephone: 9666 7166

Special assistance for students

Limited funds for loans to students are available for specific purposes. Details can be obtained from the faculty registrar.

Students with disabilities

The Monash University Disability Support program provides comprehensive support services, equipment and facilities to students with temporary or permanent disabilities or medical conditions. These are varied and include provision of pre-application advice, assistance with enrolment and orientation, course and research materials in alternative formats, notetaking services, alternative arrangements for assessment, advocacy, provision of specialised equipment and others. Further information about these services is available from the faculty registrar.

Release of student data

Students are advised that class lists displaying their names and, on occasion, their examination numbers may be placed on public display on given notice boards at the college.

Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)

Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates from the Victorian College of Pharmacy, after a period of practical experience, are eligible to become Members of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. This means that such graduates are able to practise in many areas of industry as professional chemists, and receive the salaries determined for Members of RACI.


<< >>
Handbook Contents | Faculty Handbooks | Monash University
Published by Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168
Copyright © Monash University 1996 - All Rights Reserved - Caution
Authorised by the Academic Registrar December 1996