Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to review P2001.

Requisite map

The 2024 handbook lists no units for P2001 itself. Pick an area of study to see its units.

Overview

In this course, you will learn about the chemistry, biology and technology of medicines and other chemical formulations and how to improve human health and well-being by researching and developing more reliable, accessible and effective treatments and products. You will develop the knowledge and practical skills critical to the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies leading to exciting careers in research and industry.

During the first two years, you will develop an understanding of the foundations of pharmaceutical science and of the relationships between the different disciplines and their distinct roles in drug discovery and development. In your third year, you will have the opportunity to choose elective units that excite and inspire and represent the state-of-the-art in pharmaceutical science education.

You will then develop specialist knowledge and techniques and an understanding of the application of pharmaceutical methods and professional practices required in the workplace. You will study with one of the largest and most productive groups of pharmaceutical researchers in Australia, the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and will graduate having worked in industry-standard facilities, such as our Shimadzu high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) lab.

In the final year, you will gain practical skills through a major research project or industry placement and be ready for a career in pharmaceutical research, the biomedical industry and many other fields both nationally and internationally that require advanced chemical-formulation skills.

Course structure

Common first four semesters96 credit points

Part A. Enabling science studies

72 credit points

You must complete the following units.

Note: If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you do not complete BPS2011, BPS2012 and BPS2021 since the chemical engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills. You must also choose to complete either BPS2032 or BPS2022 in Part B .

Part B. Pharmaceutical science

24 credit points

You must complete the following core units.

Note: If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you must choose to complete either BPS2022 or BPS2032 in Part A and also choose to complete either BPS3012 or BPS3062 from Part C.

Final two semesters48 credit points

Part B. Pharmaceutical science

24 credit points

You must complete 24 credit point from the following units.

Note: If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you do not complete BPS3011, BPS3021, BPS3031 and BPS3041 since the chemical engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

Additional pharmaceutical science units

12 credit points

You must complete 12 credit points from the following units.

Note: If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you do not complete BPS3022, BPS3032 and BPS3042 since the chemical engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

Part C. Applied project

12 credit points

You must complete the following units.

Note: If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you must choose to complete either BPS3012 or BPS3062.

The handbook's description of this structure

The course develops through three themes. The first two, foundation science studies and pharmaceutical science studies culminate in an applied project.

Part A. Enabling science studies

Enabling studies in bio-organic and medicinal chemistry, physical chemistry and physiology will underpin further studies in the degree. It will also provide an introduction to the key areas of scientific communication and practice and scientific research methodology.

Part B. Pharmaceutical science

This will provide you with practical and theoretical skills and knowledge. You will learn to develop, apply and communicate the concepts and theoretical frameworks.

Part C. Applied project

The studies in parts A. and B. culminate in a major research project or industry placement.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course comprises 144 points of pharmaceutical science study.

The course develops through theme studies in: A. Foundation science, B. Pharmaceutical science and C. Applied project.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Foundation sciences (72 points)
You must complete:

BPS1011 Human physiology 1: Cells to systems
BPS1021 Medicinal chemistry 1: Structure
BPS1031 Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and change
BPS1012 Human physiology 2: Body systems
BPS1022 Medicinal chemistry 2: Reactivity and biomolecules
BPS1032 Physical chemistry 2: Solutions, surfaces and solids
BPS2011 Pharmacology 1: Biochemical signalling*
BPS2021 Synthetic chemistry 1: Structure and Reactivity*
BPS2031 Analytical methods 1: Principles and applications
BPS2041 Drug delivery and pharmacokinetics
BPS2012 Pharmacology 2: Drug action*
BPS2032 Analytical methods 2: Investigation design**

* If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you do not complete these units since the chemical engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

** If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you must choose to complete either BPS2032 Analytical methods 2: Investigation design or BPS2022 Drug discovery and design.

Part B. Pharmaceutical science and Part C. Applied project (72 points)

You must complete:

BPS1041 Scientific inquiry
BPS1042 Pharmaceutical science in context
BPS2022 Drug discovery and design**
BPS2042 Drug development
BPS3012 Applied pharmaceutical science: From concept to market**
BPS3062 Professional experience**

** If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you must choose to complete either BPS2022 Drug discovery and design or BPS2032 Analytical methods 2: Investigation design and also choose to complete either BPS3012 Applied pharmaceutical science: From concept to market or BPS3062 Professional experience

You must complete four of the following units:

BPS3011 Disease-focussed pharmacology*
BPS3021 Biotechnology*
BPS3031 Computational drug design*
BPS3041 Synthetic chemistry 2: Advanced methods*
BPS3051 Pharmaceutical product development
BPS3061 Industrial formulation

and two of the following units:

BPS3022 Microbiology and immunology*
BPS3032 Toxicology and advanced pharmacology*
BPS3042 Advanced experimental spectroscopy*
BPS3052 Applied pharmacokinetics/dynamics and nanotechnology

* If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you do not complete these units since the chemical engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

** If you are in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you must choose to complete either BPS3012 Applied pharmaceutical science: From concept to market or BPS3062 Professional experience

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1
demonstrate advanced knowledge of pharmaceutical science
2
demonstrate well-developed skills in the methods and processes of pharmaceutical science
3
make valid judgements through critical thinking, and synthesise information from a range of sources to provide relevant solutions to scientific problems
4
communicate effectively in a variety of modes, to diverse audiences and for a range of purposes
5
think globally and consider pharmaceutical issues from a variety of perspectives, and apply international standards for research practices in pharmaceutical sciences
6
work safely and effectively, both independently and in multi-disciplinary teams
7
demonstrate leadership, and professional and ethical behaviour.

Entry requirements

Guaranteed ATAR and selection rank

82; International: UERTYear 12/Foundation Band 3+ (82.5-84.99); UERT Post-Secondary Band 3+ (Distinction+)

Other applicants

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. Studies must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to admission.Relevant work experience is only used in fine-tuning selection.

VET: Due to strong competition for places, Certificate IV or Diploma graduates are unlikely to be offered a place. VCE VET studies will be considered.

University: Preference is given to applicants who have completed the equivalent of a full year of study in an undergraduate degree (e.g. science or biomedical science). A high level of academic achievement at tertiary level is required. Prerequisite studies in Chemistry, English and Mathematics can be met at either the VCE or tertiary level.

Other: Studies at Monash College (other than MUFY) are not suitable for entry into Pharmaceutical Science

English language

Monash Level A, that is: IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall (no band lower than 6.0); or Pearson Test of English (Academic): score of 58 overall with no band lower than 50; or TOEFL Internet-based test: score of 79 overall with minimum scores: Writing: 21, Listening: 12, Reading: 13 and Speaking: 18; or Equivalent approved English test

Pathways

Articulation agreement: Ngee Ann Polytechnic (1+2) Exp: 28-Oct-23

Articulation agreement: China Pharmaceutical University (2+2) Exp: 21 Jan 2026

More information

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours) (P3701). To be eligible to apply for entry into the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours) (P3701), you must achieve an overall distinction grade average (70%) or higher in the final year of the course.

Notes for students

You can enrich your degree to hone your academic and professional skills with a range of flagship rich educational experiences. These flagship rich educational experience units may be credited utilising your free electives, or alternatively in place of your discipline specific electives (up to 6 credit points) if approved by the faculty. For information please see Flagship Rich Educational Experiences.

Other information

In this course, you will learn about the chemistry, biology and technology of medicines and other chemical formulations and how to improve human health and well-being by researching and developing more reliable, accessible and effective treatments and products. You will develop the knowledge and practical skills critical to the discovery and development of new drugs and therapies leading to exciting careers in research and industry.

During the first two years, you will develop an understanding of the foundations of pharmaceutical science and of the relationships between the different disciplines and their distinct roles in drug discovery and development. In your third year, you will have the opportunity to choose elective units that excite and inspire and represent the state-of-the-art in pharmaceutical science education.

You will then develop specialist knowledge and techniques and an understanding of the application of pharmaceutical methods and professional practices required in the workplace. You will study with one of the largest and most productive groups of pharmaceutical researchers in Australia, the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and will graduate having worked in industry-standard facilities, such as our Shimadzu high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) lab.

In the final year, you will gain practical skills through a major research project or industry placement and be ready for a career in pharmaceutical research, the biomedical industry and many other fields both nationally and internationally that require advanced chemical-formulation skills.

Common questions

How long is Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science?

3 years full time, 144 credit points. At 24 credit points a semester, that is 6 semesters of full-time study.

What ATAR do I need for Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science?

The guaranteed ATAR listed for 2024 entry is 82.

Where can I study Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science?

At Parkville and Malaysia.

How do I plan my Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science units?

Open the course in the MonMap planner. It lays out your semesters, checks prerequisites as you drag units in, and tracks the credit points each requirement still needs.

Course details

Qualification: Bachelor Degree
AQF level: Level 7
Credit points: 144
Full time: 3 Years
Part time: 6 Years
Maximum time: 8 years

Faculty: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
CRICOS code: 058486E
Abbreviation: BPharmSc
Award title: Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
Handbook years: 2020 2021 2022 202320242025 2026 2027