Program of the Month: Australian Pharmacy Schools
Pharmacy is gaining popularity in the health sciences fields, and for good reason. Pharmacists are key members in the health care team, because of their specialized knowledge in the use and application of medications and also in their communications with patients. They are in a great position to provide valuable information on the formulation of dosage forms and this relates to drug product efficacy. Pharmacists are also able to provide patients with information on the appropriate storage of medications. Their understanding of the functioning of the body systems and the impact of disease on these systems allows them to provide insight into disease state management. Accessibility often makes pharmacists the first members of the health care team contacted by patients and thus are important primary health care providers. In this role in both community and hospital pharmacy, pharmacists are able to provide health advice to patients. The following Australian University Partners offer a pharmacy program:
University: James Cook University Pharmacy School
Course: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Duration: 4 Years
Description: James Cook University Pharmacy School’s Bachelor of Pharmacy program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, practice, skills and attitudes they will require to practise as pharmacists and effective members of the health care team within the community. Professional placements form a key component of the course, with students based in hospital and community pharmacies in rural and urban locations throughout northern Queensland in their third and fourth years of study. This practical experience is vital for developing effective interpersonal and patient-counselling skills as well as cross-cultural awareness. Professional placements allow students to develop their focus within the pharmacy field. The School of Pharmacy and Molecular Sciences ensures that graduates are prepared for careers in hospital or community pharmacies, regulatory and drug management facilities, the pharmaceutical industry, armed forces and public service.
University: Monash University Pharmacy School
Course: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Duration: 4 Years
Description: The Monash University Pharmacy School Bachelor of Pharmacy program produces graduates with a sound knowledge and understanding of the science, technology and practice behind pharmacy as a profession. It comprises four major areas of study: medicinal chemistry (the chemistry of drugs); pharmacology (the action of drugs); pharmaceutics (the presentation and delivery of drugs); and pharmacy practice (the application of all these to the professional practice of pharmacy). During the later years of the course, students undertake work placements in hospitals and community pharmacies through the Advanced Practical Experiences (APEs) program. The program provides an understanding of the processes involved in, for example, providing primary health care, drug information, and clinical pharmacy services in different practice environments.
University: University of Newcastle Pharmacy School
Course: Master of Pharmacy
Duration: 2 Years
Description: The University of Newcastle Pharmacy School Master of Pharmacy program’s focus is on material that specifically provides the skills required to practise as a pharmacist and contains two elective courses, allowing students to further tailor the program to suit their particular interests. The main study program focuses on areas such as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy management and epidemiology. The Master of Pharmacy program consists of lectures, practicals, tutorials and experiential learning through clinical placements. The courses offered build upon the knowledge base gained from the student’s previous undergraduate coursework and focuses on material that specifically relates to the skills required by a pharmacist.
University: University of Queensland Pharmacy School
Course: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Duration: 4 Years
Description: The University of Queensland Pharmacy School Bachelor of Pharmacy program prepares graduates for the contemporary role of the pharmacist in society, ensuring that patients optimise medication usage. Initial courses on chemical, physical and biological studies lead to professional specialties in later years. Practical and clinical science studies begin in first year, providing students with a strong background in professional practice. The program integrates six streams of study: quality use of medication; dosage form design; social and professional aspects of pharmacy; drug discovery; biological fate of drugs; and data analysis in pharmacy.
University: University of Sydney Pharmacy School
Course: Bachelor of Pharmacy
Duration: 4 Years
Description: The University of Sydney Pharmacy School Bachelor of Pharmacy covers the study of the chemical, physical, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological properties of medicinal substances and the application of these in the pharmacy profession. The first year is a foundation year in which students study biology, chemistry and basic pharmaceutical sciences, and are introduced to pharmacy. The remaining three years are devoted to higher levels of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, together with specialized clinical pharmacy studies. During third and fourth years, considerable time is spent in clinical placements in community and hospital pharmacies, where valuable practical experience is gained.
If I complete a pharmacy degree in Australia, can I practise in Canada?
Upon graduation, you are eligible to apply to become a pharmacist in Canada. Canadian students who wish to practise as pharmacists upon their return to Canada should visit the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada website for accreditation and certification information at http://www.pebc.ca/.
It is imperative that you understand the requirements and procedures associated with entering the pharmacist profession in Canada. It is your responsibility to meet the necessary requirements to become a member of a college of pharmacists in your province.
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Learn more about:
James Cook University Pharmacy School
Monash University Pharmacy School
University of Newcastle Pharmacy School
University of Queensland Pharmacy School
University of Sydney Pharmacy School
Tags: Australian Pharmacy Schools, James Cook University Pharmacy School, Monash University Pharmacy School, OzTREKK, Study in Australia, University of Newcastle Pharmacy School, University of Queensland Pharmacy School, University of Sydney Pharmacy School