Pharmaceutical Science Advanced

Monash has designed this advanced version of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science for high-achieving students who expect to pursue honours studies and a career in pharmaceutical science.

A flexible course, it covers the multi-disciplinary chemical and biological science base used in researching and developing reliable, accessible and effective medicinal products.A pharmaceutical scientist is trained to select new targets for drug therapy that arise from basic research.

As a pharmaceutical scientist you will have the scientific and technical knowledge to translate new targets into reliable, accessible and effective treatments for patients.

With a specialist course at Monash you begin study in your area of interest from day one. If you have a specific career goal or more specific field of study firmly in your sights, this may be the option for you. These courses are designed to ensure you have the right combination of skills needed for your professional field.

The course includes all the requirements of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science and culminates with an honours research program in the fourth year.

The course develops through three themes.

A. Foundation science studies

Foundation studies in bioorganic and medicinal chemistry, physical chemistry and physiology will underpin further studies in your chosen specialisation. It will also provide an introduction to the key areas of scientific communication and practice and scientific research methodology.

B. Pharmaceutical science studies

This will provide you with practical and theoretical skills and knowledge of your specialisation. You will learn to develop, apply and communicate the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of your chosen discipline.

C. Honours research program

The studies in A. and B. culminate in an honours research program that will extend your discipline knowledge and provide you with a high level of expertise in critical writing, thinking and independent analysis and research.

Qualifications

Equivalent Australian Year 12

Recent secondary education

ATAR requirements

ATAR - Parkville

90.95

Note Lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made

84

Note Monash guarantee for 2021 entry

82.2

Note Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made

ATAR - Parkville Scholars Program

98

Note Lowest Selection Rank to which an offer was made

94.15

Note Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made ATAR Calculator Monash is committed to admissions transparency. View the ATAR and student profiles for this course.

Subject prerequisites

All applicants must satisfy the following prerequisites or their equivalents.

Australian VCE subjects

English

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in English other than EAL

Maths

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 25 in Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Mathematics

Sciences/Other

Units 3 & 4: a study score of at least 25 in Chemistry

IB subjects

English

At least 4 in English SL or 3 in English HL or 5 in English B SL or 4 in English B HL

Maths

At least 4 in Mathematics SL or 3 in Mathematics HL or 3 in Further Mathematics HL

Sciences/Other

At least 4 in Chemistry SL or 3 in Chemistry HL

VET Study

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. VCE VET studies will be considered. 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.

Entire academic record: This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Applicants will not be admitted to this course solely on the basis of a VET qualification.

Higher education

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 Advanced.

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. VCE VET studies will be considered. Studies must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to admission.

Relevant work experience is only used in fine-tuning selection.

Entire academic record: This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

Work and life experience

Multiple pathways to this course

Applicants who have successfully completed Year 12 are eligible to apply for this course.

Applicants with no formal secondary or tertiary qualifications are not eligible to apply for this course. This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.

There are many ways to gain entry to a course at Monash. If you don't meet our entry requirements, there are pathways to help. More about alternative pathways...

Additionally, we recognise that some applicants may have experienced difficulties that have disadvantaged them when applying for university. We offer a range of special admissions schemes that may help you gain entry to your chosen course, including pathways for Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students. .More about special admissions schemes...

All applicants must satisfy the equivalence of the VCE subject prerequisites. VCE VET studies will be considered. Studies must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to admission.

Relevant work experience is only used in fine-tuning selection.

Alternative qualifications and prerequisites

For other domestic and international qualification entry requirements and scores for this course based on your prior studies, use the study credit and admissions eligibility search.

English requirements

Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

University entrance requirements

Minimum entrance requirements for admission to Monash University Australia.

Learning outcomes

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8 and Monash Graduate Attributes.

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1.

demonstrate well-developed knowledge of pharmaceutical science, and advanced knowledge of a specialised discipline within the field of one of the specialisations: drug discovery biology, formulation science or medicinal chemistry. In particular,

• drug discovery biology specialists will appreciate the mechanisms of drug action based on interactions at molecular, cellular and organ level, identify the appropriate research methods required for the evaluation of new drug targets, and evaluate candidate novel therapeutic agents based on affinity/efficacy profiles
• formulation science specialists will be capable of designing drug delivery systems for all types of active molecules, understand processes that contribute to the product life cycle, possess analytical skills to assess the physical and chemical properties of active molecules and delivery systems, and have knowledge to evaluate the suitability of these formulations within the context of industrial and regulatory environments
• medicinal chemistry specialists will understand and apply the principles of drug action, and design and implement approaches to synthesising bioactive molecules, and analyse chemical structures and interactions using computational, spectroscopic and analytical techniques

2.

demonstrate advanced skills in the methods and processes in one or more areas of pharmaceutical science

3.

make valid judgements through critical thinking, and synthesise information from a range of sources to provide innovative solutions to scientific problems

4.

communicate effectively in a variety of modes, to informed professional audiences and for a range of purposes

5.

think globally and consider pharmaceutical issues from a variety of perspectives, and apply international standards for research practices in pharmaceutical sciences

6.

demonstrate initiative and intellectual independence, and collaborate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team

7.

demonstrate leadership, and professional and ethical behaviour.