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Requisite map

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

Part A. Core studies96 credit points

You must complete the following units.

Please note that if you are enrolled 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 choose to complete either BPS2022 Drug discovery and design or BPS2032 Analytical method development.

Part B. Discipline elective studies36 credit points

You must complete 36 credit points from the following units.

Please note that if you are enrolled in E3008 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science you do not complete BPS3011, BPS3021, BPS3022, BPS3031, BPS3032, BPS3041 and BPS3042 since the chemical engineering studies provide the knowledge and skills.

Part C. Applied studies12 credit points

You must complete the following units.

Please note that is you are enrolled 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.

The handbook's description of this structure

The course develops through three parts and culminates in an applied project and an industry placement in the final year.

Part A. Core studies

In this part of the course, you will complete studies in bio-organic and medicinal chemistry, physical chemistry and physiology will underpin further studies in the degree. You will also complete studies that will provide an introduction to the key areas of scientific communication and practice and scientific research methodology.

Part B. Discipline elective studies

In this part of the course, you will select from a suite of elective units that will enable you to extend practical and theoretical skills and knowledge in different areas of pharmaceutical science. You will also learn to develop, apply and communicate concepts and theoretical frameworks.

Part C. Applied studies

The studies in parts A. and B. culminate in an industry placement and an applied project.

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. Core studies, B. Discipline elective studies and C.Applied studies.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Core studies (96 points)

You must complete the following units:

BPS1011 Human physiology 1: Cells to systems
BPS1012 Human physiology 2: Body systems
BPS1021 Medicinal chemistry 1: Structure
BPS1022 Medicinal chemistry 2: Reactivity and biomolecules
BPS1031 Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and change
BPS1032 Physical chemistry 2: Solutions, surfaces and solids
BPS1041 Scientific inquiry
BPS1042 Pharmaceutical science in context
BPS2011 Pharmacology 1: Biochemical signalling*
BPS2012 Pharmacology 2: Drug action*
BPS2021 Synthetic chemistry 1: Structure and reactivity*
BPS2022 Drug discovery and design**
BPS2031 Analytical methods 1: Principles and applications
BPS2032 Analytical method development**
BPS2041 Drug delivery and pharmacokinetics
BPS2042 Drug development

* 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 BPS2022 Drug discovery and design or BPS2032 Analytical method development

Part B. Discipline elective studies (36 points)

You must complete 36 credit points from the following units:

BPS3011 Disease-focussed pharmacology*
BPS3021 Biotechnology*
BPS3022 Microbiology and immunology*
BPS3031 Computational drug design*
BPS3032 Toxicology and advanced pharmacology*
BPS3041 Synthetic chemistry 2: Advanced methods*
BPS3042 Advanced experimental spectroscopy*
BPS3061 Industrial formulation
BPS3071 Nanotechnology and polymer science in drug delivery
BPS3082 Applied pharmacokinetics, dynamics and product development

* 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.

Part C. Applied studies (12 points)

You must complete the following units:

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 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 disciplines (including contemporary technologies and laboratory skills)
3
synthesise information from a range of sources and employ critical thinking and judgement to solve scientific problems
4
communicate effectively in a variety of modes, for a range of purposes, and to diverse audiences
5
think globally and consider pharmaceutical issues from a variety of perspectives, and apply international standards for research practices in pharmaceutical sciences
6
work 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 equivalent 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: 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 an 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 2026 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 2023 2024 202520262027