P6007 Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) and Doctor of Pharmacy

The course develops through six themes: structure and function of the body; drug structure, disposition and action; professional practice; comprehensive care; inquiry and innovation; and professional experience. This course will develop the relevant practical and analytical skills you require for pharmacy practice, and has a dedicated focus on development of skills such as problem solving & critical thinking, oral and written communication, teamwork, inquiry, empathy, and reflective practice.

Structure and function of the body (how the body works)

These studies will provide you with the foundational understanding and knowledge of the human body, including how cells, molecules and organs ensure proper functioning of the body. This will include studies of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry relevant to pharmacists. You will be able to predict the outcome of cell and organ dysfunction, as well as effectively communicate aspects of how the body works.

Drug structure, disposition, and action (how medicines work)

You will learn the important aspects for a molecule to become a medicine, and how medicines produce their effects. This will include studies of medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics relevant to pharmacists. These studies will equip you with fundamental and applied knowledge required to understand and assess pre-formulation, formulation, manufacturing and packaging of pharmaceutical products. This includes the understanding and application of how medicines get absorbed, distributed and eliminated from the body and mechanisms and time-course of drug response in the body.

Professional practice (what pharmacists do)

These studies will equip you with the sociocultural context in which the pharmacist and the client operate, social and health practice issues, ethical, legal context of pharmacy, relevant professional and social values, attitudes and behaviours necessary for practice. You will develop the communication and practical skills to apply the knowledge and skills you have gained to promote and contribute to the quality use of medicines and to the health of the community.

Comprehensive care

Through these studies you will acquire knowledge about diseases and disorders and their management. You will develop an understanding and application of the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and clinical use of drugs in the management of various health conditions. You will gain and apply the knowledge and critical thinking skills in the enabling sciences, pharmaceutics and pharmacy practice to optimise pharmacotherapy in clinical practice.

Inquiry and innovation

These studies will build upon problem-solving and innovative thinking skills developed in previous units. You will apply these skills to plan and conduct a project, think critically, and explore innovative solutions in a laboratory, clinical, social or business environment.

Professional experience

Embedded practice experiences will prepare you to achieve the necessary competencies to enter the provisional registration (internship) period. This will include practice experiences in a variety of clinical settings to develop and give context for your skill development.

In Year 5 of the course, you will undertake the Pharmacy Board of Australia's required pre-registration year including the Australian Pharmacy Council accredited Intern Training Program (ITP). You will develop your skills in the workplace, focusing on the competencies required to practice as a registered pharmacist. 

Before commencing in Year 5 of the course, you are required to apply for and be granted provisional registration as pharmacist, along with Ahpra approved supervised practice site and preceptor.

You will also have the opportunity to develop skills relevant to expanded pharmacy services such as pharmacist prescribing and vaccination.

Course progression map

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

This course comprises 240 points. It requires the completion of two stages. To progress from stage 1 to stage 2  you must be in good standing with the faculty and meet all requirements of the applicant checks. 

High achieving students in the Scholars Program (Years 1 to 4 only) are required to maintain a distinction average throughout the first 4 years of the course or you will be transferred out of the Scholars Program and will not receive the program benefits or the Scholars award upon completing the requirements of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours).

Stage 1: Year 1 to 3

Stage 1 of the course comprises 144 points.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Structure and function of the body (how the body works) (12 points)

You must complete:

• PHR1031 How the body works (12 points)

Drug structure, disposition and action (how medicines work) (30 points)

You must complete:

PHR1021 How medicines work 1: Physical chemistry
PHR1022 How medicines work 2: Pharmacokinetics
PHR1122 How medicines work 3: Pharmacology
PHR1222 How medicines work 4: Medicinal chemistry
PHR2021 How medicines work 5: Drug delivery

Professional practice (what pharmacists do) (30 points)

You must complete:

• PHR1011 Professional practice 1
• PHR1012 Professional practice 2
• PHR2011 Professional practice 3
• PHR2012 Professional practice 4 (12 points)

Comprehensive care (60 points)

You must complete:

• PHR2041 Comprehensive care: Respiratory and gastrointestinal
• PHR2141 Comprehensive care: Dermatology and pain
• PHR2042 Comprehensive care: Endocrinology and renal
• PHR2142 Comprehensive care: Cardiovascular
• PHR3041 Comprehensive care: Brain, blood, and cancers (12 points)
• PHR3141 Comprehensive care: Pathogens, host defense, and treatment (12 points)
• PHR4142 Acute care: Inquiry cases (12 points)

Inquiry and innovation (6 points)

You must complete:

• PHR5052 Inquiry and innovation methods

Professional experience (6 points)

You must complete:

• PHR3062 Student experiential placements 1

Stage 2: Year 4 and 5

The Doctor of Pharmacy comprises 96 points.

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Professional practice (what pharmacists do) (6 points)

You must complete:

• PHR4012 Professional practice 5

Comprehensive care (12 points)

You must complete:

• PHR4042 Integrated care (12 points)

Inquiry and innovation (18 points)

You must complete:

• PHR5151 Inquiry and innovation projects (12 points)
• PHR5252 Inquiry and innovation communication

Professional experience (48 points)

Before commencing in the following units in Year 5 of the course, you are required to apply for and be granted provisional registration as a pharmacist, along with organising an Ahpra approved supervised practice site and preceptor.

In PGC5302 Pharmacist prescribing skills 2, you are required to nominate an Ahpra registered health professional who is currently a prescriber and has at least 12 months experience as a prescriber in an area of practice relevant to your learning needs. This “designated prescriber” must formally agree to provide supervision and mentorship, and assess your prescribing competency in a work-integrated learning environment.

You must complete:

• PHR4061 Student experiential placements 2 (12 points)
• PHR5061 Applied pharmacy practice 1
• PHR5062 Applied pharmacy practice 2 (12 points)
• PHR5063 Applied pharmacy practice 3
• PGC5301 Pharmacist Prescribing Skills 1
• PGC5302 Pharmacist Prescribing Skills 2

Specified elective studies (12 points)

You must complete the equivalent of 12 points of specified electives and can choose from the following:

- Monash University Medication Management Review Training Program (MUMTP)

- Monash University Aged Care On-site Pharmacist Training Program (MUATP)

More options will be made available.