Bachelor of Pharmacy

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Pharmacy incorporates diverse practice such as community or hospital pharmacy, dispensing, medication management and health counselling to equip graduates with skills for immediate employment.

Pharmacists represent the major component of continuing healthcare for the community.

CSU's Bachelor of Pharmacy is the first pharmacy degree in Australia to be offered outside a metropolitan area. Ample opportunities for employment exist for graduates as there is a recognised demand for skilled practitioners, particularly in rural and remote areas.

What will I learn?

Students develop knowledge and skills in health promotion, learn treatment of minor ailments, and become fluent in communication and health information management.

Primarily in the first and second year, students study core subjects in some basic sciences including chemistry, mathematics and statistics, computer use, microbiology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, nutrition and molecular genetics.

To complement these scientific disciplines, there are subjects in various pharmaceutical sciences presented in the first three years. These subjects are organic and medicinal agents, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. Together, the pharmaceutical science and the basic science subjects provide a solid foundation for studies in the professional aspects of pharmacy.

Specialist subjects include pharmacy practice, pharmacy residency, professional practice and therapeutics. There is an elective in the first session of the final year. The elective allows you to follow and develop particular interests which may enhance your capacity to work in a variety of exciting careers.

Students may participate in specialist areas of study such as rural health, vaccination training, mental health first aid, the Graduate Certificate in Small Business Management  and international programs.

To transfer into the Honours stream at the beginning of the third year, you must have obtained a Credit average in all first- and second-year subjects. Successful students will be included in a special program of Honours workshops and tutorials in third year and choose a project and potential supervisor during that year.

Prospective students should note that this course does not lead to registration as a pharmacist in Australia. After graduation students are required to meet the registration standards set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia. These standards include undertaking 1,824 hours of supervised practice, completing an intern training program and passing examinations set by the Pharmacy Board of Australia.

Your course is recognised by industry

CSU's Bachelor of Pharmacy is well respected in the pharmacy profession and is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council.

Additional admission requirements

Refer to the workplace learning section for information on:

• Immunisation
• Criminal Record Clearance
• Senior First Aid Certificate