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

Introduction

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-four units, which include practical and research aspects. 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 ten second year units (five in each trimester). Students will also complete a hospital placement and develop further research skills.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

Applicants should hold 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, microbiology, human biology and physiology. For international students, English language competency equivalent to an IELTS score of 7.0 overall, with no band lower than 7.0, is required.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

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.

Course Organisation

The course is composed of 25 units. 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 pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical practice. The main areas of focus in the first year of the course are pharmaceutical science, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology and pharmaceutical practice. The second year of the course involves community and hospital pharmacy placements and the study of pharmacotherapy and research design.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the course are recognised in Western Australia and elsewhere for registration as professional pharmacists. Pharmacists registered in Western Australia can practice anywhere in Australasia. After meeting certain requirements, registration is possible in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Career Opportunities

The Master of Pharmacy (Graduate Entry) degree offers a diversity of career opportunities in hospital and community pharmacy, research, industry, government and academia, and in the provision of specialised services such as home medication reviews and diabetes education, in Australia and overseas. The career prospects for newly registered pharmacists in Australia are very good and remuneration is competitive with other professions.

Additional Course Expenses

Students are expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials. Students will require a laboratory coat and safety glasses.

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.

Course Structure			Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1 Study Period 1
312043	v.1	Introduction to Pharmaceutics 520	8.0	25.0
312044	v.1	Introduction to Pharmaceutical Chemistry 520	7.0	12.5
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	5.0	12.5
312050	v.1	Contemporary Primary Care 521	3.0	12.5
312051	v.1	Medicinal Chemistry 521	5.0	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	5.0	25.0
312055	v.1	Pharmaceutical Practice 522	5.0	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
312165	v.1	Pharmacy Placement 621	150.0	37.5
				100.0
Year 2 Semester 1
312057	v.1	Pharmacotherapy 621	5.0	25.0
312058	v.1	Pharmacotherapy 620	5.0	25.0
312059	v.1	Pharmaceutical Practice 621	3.0	25.0
312060	v.1	Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology 621	3.0	12.5
312061	v.1	Research Design and Practice 621	3.0	12.5
				100.0
Year 2 Semester 2
312062	v.1	Contemporary Patient Care 622	5.0	25.0
312063	v.1	Pharmacotherapy 622	5.0	25.0
312064	v.1	Evidence Based Complementary Medicine 622	3.0	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

Availability

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2010	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.