312042 v.1 Master of Pharmacy
MPharm(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 068621J
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas:
2 Years
Course Overview
Master degrees (coursework) prepare students to apply advanced knowledge for professional practice, scholarship and further learning corresponding to AQF level 9 qualifications.
The Master of Pharmacy is a Graduate Entry Master course (GEM) which is designed to enable the student through diligent study and application to become a compounding and pharmacotherapeutic expert. Theory is comprehensive and includes chemical, biological, physiological, pharmaceutical and pharmacotherapeutics. The course is composed of twenty-five units, which include practical and research aspects. Students undertake community pharmacy and hospital placements, where students are supervised by a practicing pharmacist, to develop skills in the clinical setting.
Professional Recognition
Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration as a pharmacist with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. A further period of supervised practice is required in order to be eligible for general registration as a pharmacist.
Career Opportunities
Graduates are highly employable. They may seek a career in healthcare working in the fields of community, hospital or consultancy pharmacy. Graduates may also develop a career in the pharmaceutical industry which employs pharmacists in a number of areas including research roles in the development of medicines, production of pharmaceuticals, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, marketing and drug information. They may also work for the State or Federal Government in regulatory and policy roles.
Additional Course Expenses
Students are expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Students will require a laboratory coat and safety glasses.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Subject to the duration of the course applicants usually require a bachelor degree or equivalent (and may require relevant work experience), bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate or graduate diploma.
Specifically, applicants should require a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent and a history of above average grades. Essential prerequisites include completion of at least one tertiary unit in mathematics, statistics, chemistry, biochemistry, human biology and physiology (microbiology is desirable). For international students, English language competency equivalent to an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with no band lower than 7.0, is required.
Credit for Recognised Learning
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to doctoral degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Organisation
Master degrees (coursework) contain a series of units in a specialised area of study which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may also contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from.
The course is composed of twenty-five units, which include practical and research aspects. Students complete study period one in addition to two usual semesters each year. Study period one in the first year of the course requires successful completion of three units introducing important concepts in pharmaceutical science, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical practice. The introductory units are completed in an intensive six-week training program in trimester one, involving 30 hours weekly contact and continuous assessment. The remaining nine first year units are completed during trimesters two and three (which correspond to semesters one and two). Five units are completed in trimester two and four units in trimester three. A community pharmacy placement, where students are supervised by a practicing pharmacist, to develop skills in the clinical setting, must be completed prior to undertaking the remaining eleven second year units (five in each trimester, with a placement in the final trimester). Students will also complete a hospital placement and develop further research skills. Throughout this course, students use high-quality laboratories and facilities designed to enhance teaching and aid the development of essential practical skills. The school laboratories include a model dispensary, a manufacturing laboratory, an asepsis suite and laboratories for microbiological, chemical and pharmacological
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. apply extensive knowledge and expertise in the area of pharmacy and contribute to evidence based practice through scholarship
2. think creatively, critically and reflectively to generate innovative solutions for decision making in the provision of pharmaceutical services
3. access and critically analyse and synthesis information drawn from relevant sources
4. communicate effectively as a pharmacist with clients, colleagues, staff, other health care professionals and the general public in ways appropriate to the audience or situation
5. use current technologies applicable to pharmacy
6. demonstrate skills necessary for lifelong learning and contribute to the development of others
7. provide pharmaceutical services with sensitivity to political, social, cultural, geographical, technological and global influences
8. demonstrate understanding of cultural diversity, including Indigenous issues, and multiculturalism
9. work and collaborate effectively in a team and develop leadership skills in an ethical and professional manner
Duration and Availability
This fee-paying course is offered over six study periods on a full-time basis and is of two years duration. Bentley campus will offer one intake annually in January.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Study Period 1 | Y | ||||
| 2014 | Bentley Campus | Study Period 1 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Study Period 1 | |||||
| 312044 | v.1 | Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry 520 | 7.0 | 12.5 | |
| 312043 | v.1 | Introduction to Pharmaceutics 520 | 11.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312046 | v.1 | Introduction to Pharmaceutical Practice 520 | 4.0 | 12.5 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 1 | |||||
| 312047 | v.1 | Pharmacology for Pharmacists 521 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312048 | v.1 | Drug Formulation Science 521 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312049 | v.1 | Pharmaceutical Practice 521 | 3.0 | 12.5 | |
| 312050 | v.1 | Contemporary Primary Care 521 | 3.0 | 12.5 | |
| 314125 | v.1 | Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology 521 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Semester 2 | |||||
| 312052 | v.1 | Antimicrobial Chemotherapies 522 | 6.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312053 | v.1 | Pharmacology for Pharmacists 522 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312054 | v.1 | Drug Delivery 522 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312055 | v.1 | Pharmaceutical Practice 522 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Study Period 1 | |||||
| 312045 | v.1 | Research Design and Practice 620 | 5.0 | 12.5 | |
| 312056 | v.1 | Pharmacy Placement 620 | 225.0 | 50.0 | |
| 62.5 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 1 | |||||
| 314124 | v.1 | Medicinal Chemistry 621 | 3.5 | 12.5 | |
| 312058 | v.1 | Pharmacotherapy 620 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312059 | v.1 | Pharmaceutical Practice 621 | 4.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312061 | v.1 | Research Design and Practice 621 | 3.0 | 12.5 | |
| 312057 | v.1 | Pharmacotherapy 621 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Semester 2 | |||||
| 312062 | v.1 | Contemporary Patient Care 622 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312063 | v.1 | Pharmacotherapy 622 | 5.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312064 | v.1 | Evidence Based Complementary Medicine 622 | 2.0 | 12.5 | |
| 312065 | v.1 | Pharmacoeconomics 622 | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 312066 | v.1 | Research Design and Practice 622 | 2.0 | 12.5 | |
| 100.0 | |||||
| Year 2 Study Period 10 | |||||
| 312165 | v.1 | Pharmacy Placement 621 | 150.0 | 37.5 | |
| 37.5 | |||||
Further Information
For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Health Sciences on telephone (08) 9266 1000, email futurestudents@health.curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://healthsciences.curtin.edu.au
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Handbook Disclaimer
The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.
For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.
