Master of Pharmacy

Summary

Pharmacists are one of the most accessible health professionals and work closely with patients to assist them with managing their medicines and disease states as well as promoting health and improving quality of life.

The role of the pharmacist encompasses counselling patients on the best use of medications, providing advice on symptoms, the management of common ailments, preparing and formulating medications and providing health education. The Pharmacy program is intended to build on the knowledge base gained from previous undergraduate coursework studies.

A prescribed period of 2000 hours supervised practice as an assistant under supervision must be carried out after successful completion of the Pharmacy Program. This may be undertaken in a Community or Hospital Pharmacy. Upon completion of this year, and other requirements of the Pharmacy Board, the graduate will be considered for registration. For details see the Pharmacy Board of New South Wales website at http://www.pbnsw.org.au.

The graduate may elect to complete the registration requirements in other states of Australia, subject to the specific requirements of the respective Pharmacy or Pharmacist Board.

Program Accreditation

The University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences and its Master of Pharmacy Program are provisionally accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). The University of Newcastle becomes eligible to apply for full accreditation in 2008.

Fee Information

This is a fee paying program. Australian students may be able to participate in the Higher Education Loans Program (FEE-HELP).

Further information on indicative program and course fees can be found here:

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/study/fees/index.html

Program duration

Two years full-time. This program requires the completion of 240 units over 6 trimesters. The program is not offered on a part-time basis. University Trimester dates are available from this link.

Domestic applications open in approximately August/September for the following year.  There is no mid-year intake.

Early Exit from Program

Students successfully completing the first 3 trimesters of the program (120 units) will be eligible to apply for award of the terminating exit degree: Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science.

Admission criteria

Bachelor Degree or equivalent with specified prerequisites completed within the last ten years.

Prerequisites

A biomedical science degree; or a health science degree; or a science degree with a major in human biology, physiology, anatomy, pharmacology or biotechnology; or an applied science degree with a major in medical laboratory science.
Pharmacists are required to possess a high level of communication skills in English. This competency is specifically evaluated by the registering authorities prior to registration. In view of the large number of placements during the program proficiency in English must be a prerequisite for entry.

Applicants wishing to apply for entry into the Master of Pharmacy Program in 2009, and who have completed the 2008 stated prerequisites (see below) will be regarded as having completed the prerequisites for entry into the program in 2009.

Additional mandatory Selection Criteria (2009 onwards)

a)    Bachelor Degree with specified prerequisites

b)    Provide satisfactory evidence of successful completion in the following courses at a tertiary level

The completion of all prerequisites is mandatory. The prerequisite/s must be completed within the last ten years.

Essential pre-requisites
Chemistry	equivalent to a minimum of 20 units
Mathematics	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Physiology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Pharmacology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Desirable pre-requisites
Microbiology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Statistics	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units

Course or discipline requirements can be satisfied by studies deemed by the Head of School to be equivalent. If an applicant believes they have suitable equivalent qualifications and/or experience to those noted in the above table they are encouraged to submit an application and must provide course outlines and/or information on practical experience.

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Newcastle satisfies the entry requirements.

c)    Pharmacists are required to possess a high level of communication skills in English. This competency is specifically evaluated by the registering authorities prior to registration. In view of the large number of placements during the program proficiency in English must be a prerequisite for entry as per the University IELTS standard.

Additional Mandatory Selection Criteria (2008) only

a)    Bachelor Degree with specified prerequisites

b)    Provide satisfactory evidence of successful completion in the following courses at a tertiary level

The completion of all prerequisites is mandatory. The prerequisite/s must be completed within the last ten years.

Essential pre-requisites
Chemistry	equivalent to a minimum of 20 units
Mathematics/Statistics	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Human Biology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Microbiology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units
Pharmacology/Physiology	equivalent to a minimum of 10 units

Course or discipline requirements can be satisfied by studies deemed by the Head of School to be equivalent. If an applicant believes they have suitable equivalent qualifications and/or experience to those noted in the above table they are encouraged to submit an application and must provide course outlines and/or information on practical experience.

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Newcastle satisfies the entry requirements.

c)    Pharmacists are required to possess a high level of communication skills in English. This competency is specifically evaluated by the registering authorities prior to registration. In view of the large number of placements during the program proficiency in English must be a prerequisite for entry as per the University IELTS standard.

Professional Placements

Immunisation

Students will undergo clinical placements in NSW health facilities. Prior to placement students must undergo vaccination against infectious diseases. This is in accordance with the NSW Health Immunisation Policy Occupational Screening and Vaccination Against Infectious Diseases effective from 1 January 2003, for all staff at health facilities. By definition, the term staff includes students on clinical placements.

Criminal Record Checks

Students must undergo a Criminal Record Check prior to placements in NSW health facilities. This may also be a requirement in other states.

The checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put NSW Health's client's personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations or other minor offences are not of interest.

Prospective students should be aware that not passing a Criminal Record Check may make it difficult for them to complete this course satisfactorily because of the unavailability of suitable clinical experiences.

Prohibited Employment Declaration.

All students are required to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration indicating if they are a prohibited person under the Child Protection Act, 1998.

For information about Professional Placements please refer to the Faculty of Health Placement Guidelines Handbook.

How to apply

Australian applicants

Application is via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

http://www.uac.edu.au/pg/index.html

Please note: UAC may request additional information from applicants to assist with the assessment of qualifications.

International applicants

Application is via International Admissions. Entry is based on overseas qualifications considered equivalent to Australian tertiary qualifications, as well as satisfying English language requirements.

international-admissions@newcastle.edu.au or phone +61 2 4921 6595

http://www.international.newcastle.edu.au

Contact Information

For Administrative Information: Program Officer, Faculty of Health
Phone: +61 2 4921 7036. Fax: +61 2 4921 2020
Email: Sharon.Scott@newcastle.edu.au  

For Academic Information: Dr Rohan Rasiah
Medical Sciences Building, Level 6. Phone: +61 2 4921 5691. Fax: +61 2 4921 7903
Email: Rohan.Rasiah@newcastle.edu.au

Career Opportunities

Graduates with either a biomedical or a science degree or other relevant degree with majors in health or medical sciences could seek entry into the program. The program's focus is on material that specifically provides the skills required to practice as a pharmacist and contains two elective courses allowing students to further tailor the program to suit their particular interests.

Approved Program of Study - Year 1

Trimester 1
PHAR6111	Pharmacy Practice 1 Entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
PHAR6112	Pharmaceutics 1 Entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
PHAR6113	Pharmacokinetics Entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
PHAR6114	Pharmaceutical Chemistry Entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
Trimester 2
PHAR6121	Pharmacy Practice 2 Requisites: PHAR6111	10 units
PHAR6122	Pharmaceutics 2 Requisites: PHAR6111, PHAR6112, PHAR6114, Co-requisites: PHAR6121	10 units
PHAR6123	Human Genomics and Biomolecular Analysis Entry level requirments for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
PHAR6124	Applied Pharmacology and Basic Microbiology/Immunology Requisites: PHAR6113, PHAR6114	10 units
Trimester 3
PHAR6131	Pharmacy Practice 3 Requisites: PHAR6121, Co-requisites: PHAR6132	10 units
PHAR6132	Pharmaceutics 3 Requisites: PHAR6114, PHAR6121, PHAR6122: Co-requisites: PHAR6131	10 units
PHAR6133	Pharmacotherapeutics 1 Requisites: PHAR6124, Co-requisites: PHAR6131	10 units
ELECTIVE	Level 6000 courses only Students may not apply for credit for this elective	10 units

Approved Program of Study - Year 2 (2008 only)

Trimester 4
PHAR6008	Pharmacotherapeutics 2 Requisites: PHAR6006, Co-requisites: PHAR6009	10 units
PHAR6009	Pharmacy Practice 4 Requisites: PHAR6007, Co-requisites: PHAR6008	10 units
PHAR6010	Epidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics Entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
PHAR6017	Molecular Pathogenesis Requisites: PHAR6015	10 units
Trimester 5
PHAR6011	Pharmacotherapeutics 3 Requisites: PHAR6008, Co-requisites: PHAR6012	20 units
PHAR6012	Pharmacy Practice 5 Requisites: PHAR6009, Co-requisites: PHAR66011	10 units
PHAR6018	Pharmacy Management entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
Trimester 6
PHAR6013	Pharmacotherapeutics 4 Requisites: PHAR6011, Co-requisites: PHAR6014	20 units
PHAR6014	Pharmacy Practice 6 Requisites: PHAR6012, Co-requisites: PHAR6013	10 units
ELECTIVE	Level 6000 courses only	10 units
Approved Program of Study - Year 2 (2009 onwards)
Trimester 4
PHAR6211	Pharmacy Practice 4 Requisites: PHAR6131, Co-requisites: PHAR6212	10 units
PHAR6212	Pharmacotherapeutics 2 Requisites: PHAR6133, Co-requisites: PHAR6211	10 units
PHAR6213	Molecular Pathogenesis Requisites: PHAR6123	10 units
PHAR6214	Epidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics Entry level requirements for Master of Pharmacy	10 units
Trimester 5
PHAR6221	Pharmacy Practice 5 Requisites: PHAR6211, Co-requisites: PHAR6222, PHAR6223	10 units
PHAR6222	Pharmacotherapeutics 3 Requisites: PHAR6212, Co-requisites: PHAR6221, PHAR6223	10 units
PHAR6223	Pharmacotherapeutics 4 Requisites: PHAR6212, Co-requisites: PHAR6221, PHAR6222	10 units
PHAR6224	Pharmacy Management Entry level requirements for Mastrer of Pharmacy	10 units
Trimester 6
PHAR6231	Pharmacy Practice 6 Requisites: PHAR6212, Co-requisites: PHAR6232, PHAR6233	10 units
PHAR6232	Pharmacotherapeutics 5 Requisites: PHAR6222, PHAR6223, Co-requisites: PHAR6231, PHAR6233	10 units
PHAR6233	Pharmacotherapeutics 6 Requisites: PHAR6222, PHAR6223, Co-requisites: PHAR6231, PHAR6232	10 units
Elective	Level 6000 courses only	10 units
Elective Courses: Students are required to take 10 units of 6000 level electives in Trimesters 3 and 6.
Recognising that relevant electives delivered in some other programs are available only on a Semester timetable, approval for courses taken out of sequence with Trimesters may be granted. Masters and Postgraduate Coursework electives may be considered from postgraduate courses offered by:
GradSchool.com (University of Newcastle)
The Centre for Clinical epidemiology and Biostatistics (School of Medicine and Public Health)
Master and Graduate Diploma in Genetic Counselling (School of Biomedical Sciences)
Psychology (School of Behavioural Science)
Master Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) and Master of Nursing (Advanced Practice) (School of Nursing and Midwifery) excluding HUBS6202 Pharmacotherapeutics of Advanced Nursing Practice
Articulation and Credit Transfer
Credit will be considered on a case by case basis, and can only be granted for electives.
General Enquires
For further information on pastgraduate coursework programs please contact the Contact Centre.
Phone: +61 2 4921 5000
Email: EnquiryCentre@newcastle.edu.au

Schedule

The relevant Program Schedule is available within the Degree Rules and Schedules section of the Policy Library.