P2001 · Monash University · UG specialist
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Minimum ATAR
- 82
- Full time
- 3 years
- Part time
- 6 years
- Credit points
- 144
- Campus
- Parkville
- Mode
- On campus
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.
First-year units
Level 1 units every student in this course takes or chooses from.
- BPS1011Human physiology 1: Cells to systemsThis unit lays a foundation of knowledge about mammalian systems and provides the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and use of drugs. You will be introduced to the physiological basis of disease, highlighting the…
- BPS1012Human physiology 2: Body systemsThis unit builds and extends on concepts learnt in BPS1011 Human Physiology I: Cells to systems. This unit extends on a foundation of knowledge about mammalian systems and the relationship between pathophysiology and the rational design and…
- BPS1021Medicinal chemistry 1: StructureThis unit introduces you to the principles of molecular structure that determine the chemical properties and mechanism of action of therapeutic agents. After examining how the rules of chemical bonding and molecular shape derive from the el…
- BPS1022Medicinal chemistry 2: Reactivity and biomoleculesThis unit will investigate the principles of molecular interactions and reactions that form the basis of biochemical processes and drug action. Building on the concepts of chemical structure and reactivity introduced in Medicinal Chemistry…
- BPS1031Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and changeThis unit provides a basic understanding of physical chemistry and together with Physical Chemistry II (BPS1032) provides the conceptual and intellectual foundation for further studies in pharmaceutical science units in 2nd and 3rd year. Yo…
- BPS1032Physical chemistry 2: Solutions, surfaces and solidsSolutions, self-assembled systems, multiphase liquid systems and the properties of solids that yield pharmaceutical solutions are key to the performance and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. This unit aims to build on Physical Chemist…
- BPS1041Scientific inquiryYou will acquire basic skills in applying and interpreting the scientific method of inquiry, and interpreting scientific data. You will: i) evaluate scientific literature; and, ii) plan, conduct and interpret a simple scientific experiment.…
- BPS1042Pharmaceutical science in contextThis unit is designed to introduce you to the major fields of the applied sciences in which pharmaceutical scientists specialise. The relationships between the different disciplines and their distinct roles in drug discovery and medicine de…
Course structure
Open a major, minor or specialisation to see its units.
Part A. Core studies
96 cpYou 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.
- BPS1011Human physiology 1: Cells to systems6 cp
- BPS1012Human physiology 2: Body systems6 cp
- BPS1021Medicinal chemistry 1: Structure6 cp
- BPS1022Medicinal chemistry 2: Reactivity and biomolecules6 cp
- BPS1031Physical chemistry 1: Equilibria and change6 cp
- BPS1032Physical chemistry 2: Solutions, surfaces and solids6 cp
- BPS1041Scientific inquiry6 cp
- BPS1042Pharmaceutical science in context6 cp
- BPS2011Pharmacology 1: Biochemical signalling6 cp
- BPS2012Pharmacology 2: Drug action6 cp
- BPS2021Synthetic chemistry 1: Structure and reactivity6 cp
- BPS2022Drug discovery and design6 cp
- BPS2031Analytical methods 1: Principles and applications6 cp
- BPS2032Analytical method development6 cp
- BPS2041Drug delivery and pharmacokinetics6 cp
- BPS2042Drug development6 cp
Part B. Discipline elective studies
36 cpYou 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.
- BPS3011Disease-focused pharmacology6 cp
- BPS3021Biotechnology6 cp
- BPS3022Microbiology and immunology6 cp
- BPS3031Computational drug design6 cp
- BPS3032Toxicology and advanced pharmacology 6 cp
- BPS3041Synthetic chemistry 2: Advanced methods6 cp
- BPS3042Advanced experimental spectroscopy6 cp
- BPS3061Industrial formulation6 cp
- BPS3071Nanotechnology and polymer science in drug delivery6 cp
- BPS3082Applied pharmacokinetics, dynamics and product development6 cp
Part C. Applied studies
12 cpYou 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.