Overview 2021
This course may not be available to international students. Please see the International Online Course Guide (PDF 809KB) for courses that are offered to international students
Pharmacy is considered to be one of Australia's most trusted professions.
The pharmacy degree at the University of Tasmania is a professionally accredited program, providing you with specialist skills and expertise in the basic and clinical pharmaceutical sciences. This is complemented by hands-on experience through professional experience placements, which help you gain the skills and attitudes required to become a registered pharmacist in Australia.
Pharmacists play a central part in primary health care teams. Working alongside doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, they're essential in helping people manage their health.
As a pharmacy student you will study various topics influencing human health such as:
- the role of a pharmacist
- how medications and their dosages are made
- how medications work in the human body
- using medications and other means to prevent and manage medical conditions
A relocation bursary is available to domestic students relocating from interstate who are commencing the Bachelor of Pharmacy (M3F) at the University of Tasmania in Semester 1, 2018.
Did you know?
100% of Bachelor of Pharmacy students from the University of Tasmania gained full-time employment within four months of graduating.
Course objectives
The main aim of the course is to provide students with a specialist education in the basic and clinical pharmaceutical sciences and to enable them to gain the skills and attitudes required for the responsible practice of pharmacy.
Learning outcomes
The Bachelor of Pharmacy provides students with the skills and knowledge to work in community, hospital and other pharmacy practice roles. You will learn the basic sciences, pharmaceutical science, pharmacy practice and communication to enable you to gain the skills and attitudes required for registering as a pharmacist in Australia.
Develop your clinical pharmacy expertise on drugs and diseases to optimise the use of medicines across the healthcare system, as well as the skills required to source, prepare and supply medicines accurately and efficiently.
Our pharmacy graduates are globally recognised for the quality of their clinical pharmacy skills and ability to transform pharmacy practice, going on to work in the wider community, hospitals, research facilities and even the military.
You'll be taught by some of Australia's leading pharmacists. Our staff are passionate about what they teach, including researchers from our highly successful Unit for Medication Outcomes Research and Education (UMORE) .
Practical experience
Professional Experience Placements
From year one of the Bachelor of Pharmacy you will gain plenty of practical experience during your degree. In year 4, the entire Semester 2 is professional experience placement (PEP). The University has strong partnerships with the health sector across Tasmania, Australia and internationally. Through these partnerships, you will have the opportunity to gain experience in a wide variety of urban and rural healthcare settings including community pharmacy, hospitals, aged care facilities and industrial pharmacies. We have had many students in their final year choose to complete their clinical placement in another country such as Canada or the United Kingdom.
The Faculty of Health supports students undertaking rural PEP by providing student accommodation at one of 16 sites in Tasmania (with access to more accommodation at some interstate locations). PEP will also prepare you for the workplace when you graduate allowing you to meet potential employers and gain exposure to the industry early on.In addition to experience in healthcare settings, you will also have the opportunity to:
- Access the latest technology and modern equipment in our pharmacy simulation lab
- Undertake interdisciplinary learning activities with students studying other health courses such as nursing and medicine
- Participate in community engagement activities such as Agfest and Open Day
"The placements were by far my favourite aspect. In my final year, I was on placement for the entire second semester and was immersed in the field learning about and gaining confidence in what would be my future profession."
All students enrolling in Faculty of Health programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation.
Please see the Entry Requirements section for further details.
Career outcomes
I really enjoyed science, in particular human biology and chemistry, but when considering career options my main focus was to work in healthcare. I wanted to work in a role that was patient orientated and in particular, had an influence on a person's life. I decided that pharmacy was the perfect combination of science and healthcare.
Most of our graduates go on to practice as registered pharmacists in the community or in hospitals, working with other healthcare professionals and with consumers in an expanding range of roles that optimise the consumers' medication management.
Some pharmacists undertake additional accreditation to conduct medication reviews for consumers in their own home, or work in residential care facilities to ensure quality use of medicines.
Pharmacists can also have other roles in Australia and overseas related to:
- clinical trials
- the evaluation of new drug products
- manufacturing
- research
- quality control
- marketing of pharmaceuticals
- government health departments to assist with regulation, approval and supply of medications
"If I had to pick a highlight of my career so far, it would be implementing governmental state-wide policies within the Health Department."
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Pharmacy is accredited with the Australian Pharmacy Council. Graduates are required to undertake a 12-month internship following completion of their degree to become eligible to sit examinations for registration as a pharmacist in Australia.
Registered pharmacists are required to meet the Pharmacy Board of Australia Registration standards including English proficiency and a criminal history check. This qualification and registration is recognised throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Please refer to the Pharmacy Board Australia Registration Standards website for more details.
Further Study Opportunities
For students wishing to undertake additional training in pharmacy research, an integrated Honours option is available where students are able to complete Honours within the four-year time frame. This involves:
- 12.5% overload in Year 3 and
- 25% overload in Year 4
A separate graduate Honours course (one year full-time, two years part-time) is also available upon graduation of the Bachelor of Pharmacy. We also offer a range of postgraduate courses for pharmacy graduates including:
Course structure
Year 1
The first year of your degree focuses on the basic sciences and an introduction to the role of pharmacy in the healthcare system.
Year 2
In year two, you will study the various areas of pharmacy and how they influence human health. This includes: the role of a pharmacist, how medications and their dosages are made, how medications work in the human body, using medications and other means to manage medical conditions.
Years 3 and 4
These years combine to focus on applied therapeutics and pharmacy practice. They prepare you for an exciting range of roles in an evolving healthcare system. Practice based training is undertaken at community, hospital and other pharmacy practice sites throughout Tasmania and possibly interstate and overseas.
Schedule
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.
The course is a 3.5 year Bachelor degree, with summer school units over three consecutive Semester 3 teaching periods to allow completion of the full 400 credits required for degree completion. By Year 4, the mid-year entry program is completely in line with the February intake program, permitting the major placement period and graduation to occur at the same time for all Bachelor of Pharmacy students.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (M3F) Schedule
Year 1
Semester 1
This unit involves a range of on-line and campus-based learning activities that introduce students to key concepts of health and healthcare, the pharmacy profession, roles of a pharmacist, quality use of medicines, government funding, regulatory bodies, the pharmaceutical industry and…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Spring school (November) | ||||
| Launceston | Spring school (November) | ||||
This unit is designed to introduce students to human cells and tissues and the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, defence, musculoskeletal and neuroendocrine systems in the human body. The unit will include: (a) the basic facts and concepts relating…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit (along with Chemistry 1B in Semester 2) is the required prerequisite for students intending to major in Chemistry and for those intending to proceed to any second-year chemistry unit. The unit builds on the introduction to chemistry given…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Semester 2
CSA157 Pharmaceutical Science and Practice 1 integrates two areas of study: Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy Practice.Pharmaceutical Science is the study of the formulation, manufacture, stability and efficacy of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Pharmacy Practice is the study of the role of…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CSA157 Pharmaceutical Science and Practice 1
This unit is designed to introduce you to the anatomy and physiology of the reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, and digestive systems of the human body. The regulation of body temperature will also be studied in the unit. The unit will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit (along with Chemistry 1A in Semester 1) is the required prerequisite for students intending to major in Chemistry and for those intending to proceed to any second-year chemistry unit. The unit builds on the introduction to chemistry given…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
x…
Credit Points: 25
This unit is currently unavailable.
Year 2
Semester 1
This unit is designed to introduce students to pharmacology, which is the field of science concerned with the effect of drugs on living organisms. The knowledge of pharmacology is fundamental to the safe and effective use of medicines by health…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Pharmaceutical Science and Practice involves the study of the of physical and chemical(physicochemical) principles which are important in the design of dosage forms andother pharmaceutical systems. This background physicochemical knowledge is thefundamental basis of how drugs are effectively delivered to…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CSA255 Pharmaceutical Science and Practice 2A
This unit covers fundamental features and current methods involved in the medicinal chemistry and drug development process. The unit emphasises on lead identification, lead optimisation and the introduction of new drugs into clinical practice. It deals with specific case studies…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CSA225 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Development
CBA221 gives pharmacy students an understanding of the following core areas of biochemistry and molecular biology: (a) structure and function of important biological macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and proteins; (b) structure, function and metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Semester 2
This unit is designed to introduce students to pharmacology, which is the field of science concerned with the effect of drugs on living organisms. The knowledge of pharmacology is fundamental to the safe and effective use of medicines by health…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Pharmacy Skills and Practice 2 integrates aspects of drug delivery and formulation with Pharmacy Practice, which relates to the role of the pharmacist in optimising the use of medicines and improving health outcomes. Students will develop their dispensing process as…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
The Evidence Based Health Care unit is a foundation course developing your ability to understand the concepts of evidence based practice in health care delivery and to apply its principles to your own health professional environment. This unit introduces you…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Hobart | Summer school | ||||
This unit will commence with an exploration of the basic concepts of medical microbiology. It will then examine the epidemiology of transmissible diseases that are common in healthcare and community settings. The unit will analyse information on the mechanisms through…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Fast track students only
Transition to Pharmacy Practice 3 is a bridging unit for students who have successfully completed Years 1 and 2 of the Bachelor of Pharmacy at International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia. This unit enables IMU students to articulate into the University…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Summer school | ||||
View all details for CSA307 Transition to Pharmacy Practice 3
Year 3
Semester 1
Pharmacy Skills in Practice 3A focuses on the issues and concepts associated with professional pharmacy activities and clinical pharmacy practice. Students will be introduced to a range of topics, including quality use of medicines, pharmaceutical care, patient counselling and communication…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
CSA305 (Therapeutics in Practice 3A) is designed to build upon students existing knowledge of pharmacology, physiology and evidence-based health, in order to develop the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to deliver pharmaceutical care. Topics include the pathophysiology and therapeutic principles…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Toxicology is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals (including drugs) and other agents on living organisms. Studies in this unit cover general principles of toxicology, relationships between exposure and toxicity, drug safety and pharmacovigilance, mechanisms of deleterious effects…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Infectious disease is a study of the basic principles of immunopathology, antimicrobial chemotherapy and biotherapy followed by a study of infectious disease therapeutics topics. The unit aims to develop students knowledge of infectious diseases, with an emphasis on the appropriate…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Semester 2
Pharmacy Skills in Practice 3B focuses on the issues and concepts associated with professional pharmacy activities and clinical pharmacy practice. You will build on your knowledge of introductory material covered in Pharmacy Skills in Practice 3A to focus on the…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
CSA306 (Therapeutics in Practice 3B) is designed to build upon students existing knowledge of pharmacology, physiology, microbiology and evidence-based health, in order to develop the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to deliver pharmaceutical care. The unit covers the pathophysiology and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit studies factors influencing the bioavailability and disposition of medications, and the application of this information to optimise the quality use of medicines in clinical practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the clinical role of the pharmacist and problem-solving…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Year 4
Semester 1
CSA457 Pharmacy Skills in Practice 4A focuses on concepts associated with professional and clinical pharmacy practice. It builds on material studied in Pharmacy Skills in Practice 3A and 3B.The unit consists of three main areas: community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy and…
Credit Points: 25
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Therapeutics in Practice 4 is designed to further develop the student’s ability to determine the most appropriate pharmacotherapeutic management for a range of medical conditions. Drug therapy is the cornerstone for the management of most if not all common medical…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
A study of the clinical pharmacokinetics of individual drugs and groups of drugs, sources of inter-patient variability in pharmacokinetics and the application of pharmacokinetics in practice. As with Clinical Pharmacokinetics 3, particular emphasis is placed on the role of the…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Semester 2
CSA430 Pharmacy Practice offers an advanced pharmacy practice teaching program incorporating placements in teaching sites throughout Tasmania, mainland Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Placement blocks will provide students with the opportunity to experience pharmacy practice in a variety of…
Credit Points: 50
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Need help choosing your first year units? Try the Unit Selection Guide.
Entry requirements
Entry Requirements
If you're interested in studying the Bachelor of Pharmacy you'll need to meet the following requirements:
If you've just finished school
An ATAR score of 80 or higher, and have completed the following pre-requisite units:
- General Mathematics (MTG315115) or Mathematics Methods (MTM315114) or Mathematics Specialised (MTS415114)
- Chemistry (CHM415115)
- Biology (BIO315109). This unit is highly recommended if you begin your Pharmacy studies in Semester 1, and is required if you wish to begin in Semester 2.
If you're a mature age student
You will need to meet the following:
- University general entry requirements
- Completion of the following foundation units (or equivalent):
Safety in Practice Compliance
All students enrolling in College of Health and Medicine programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements documentation.
Please visit http://www.utas.edu.au/health/professional-experience-placement/safety-in-practice-requirements to see what's required.
Admission Prerequisites
All applicants must have obtained Satisfactory Achievement awards in the following subjects of the Tasmanian Certificate of Education [TCE] or its equivalent: Chemistry (CHM315109) and Mathematics (Mathematics Applied (MTA315109) or Mathematics Methods (MTM315309) or equivalent will be accepted. Biology (BIO315109) is highly recommended but not required. Alternate entry based on previous tertiary study is also available via our Transition to Pharmacy Practice unit.
All students enrolling in Faculty of Health programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation.
The Faculty, in accordance with Safety in Practice Compliance and Risk Assessment Procedure, assesses student compliance with Safety in Practice Requirements, which include:
- national criminal history;
- medical, physical and psychological capacity to safely undertake the Faculty of Health Mandatory Functional Requirements; and
- infectious disease and immunisation status.
National criminal history and medical, physical and psychological disclosures can inhibit student eligibility to participate in courses. Students must submit the Safety in Practice Requirements compliance documentation to enable risk assessment to be completed before:
- semester one census date annually; or
- in case of late enrolment, prior to beginning study.
The only exception is the Immunisation Record Card check, which must be completed 4 weeks prior to first PEP.
Credit transfer
Transferring from another course
If have completed a minimum of one semester of relevant science units in another course such as:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology, or
- Pharmacology
You may be eligible to apply for advanced standing into the Bachelor of Pharmacy in Semester 1 or 2.
How to apply for advanced standing
Advanced Standing is the recognition of prior studies, from either another institution or another course at this University that may count towards the requirements of the Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Tasmania.
You can apply for Advanced Standing as part of your eApplication.
Transferring from International Medical University Malaysia
A pathway exists between International Medical University (IMU) in Malaysia and the University of Tasmania. Students who complete Years 1 and 2 of the IMU Bachelor of Pharmacy are eligible to apply for direct entry into Year 3 of the University of Tasmania Bachelor of Pharmacy.
Please contact us for further information.
Articulation from
There is no articulation with other courses.
Articulation to
An honours option is available within the four year time-frame and involves 12.5% overload in Year 3 and 25% overload in Year 4. A separate graduate honours course (one year full-time, two years part-time) is also available for Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates.Graduates of the Bachelor of Pharmacy seeking further academic studies in pharmacy are recommended to consider our postgraduate courses, including Graduate Certificate in Evidence-Based Complementary Medicines, Bachelor of Pharmacy with Professional Honours, Master of Clinical Pharmacy, Master of Pharmaceutical Science and Doctor of Philosophy.
Alternative entry pathways
If you meet the minimum ATAR but haven't completed the required prerequisite unit(s), we offer foundation units to help you bridge the gap. These are offered at no cost to you (HECS-waived) and many run in spring and summer school so you can meet a prerequisite and not delay the start of your Bachelor level studies.
- Applied Mathematics Foundation Unit (KMA002)
- Chemistry Foundation Unit (KRA001)
- Life Science Foundation Unit (KPZ005)
- Mathematics Foundation Unit (KMA003)
If you do not meet entry requirements for the Bachelor of Pharmacy consider enrolment in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Health Science, as potential pathways to the Bachelor of Pharmacy. Please ensure you elect to study Chemistry and Human Biology in Year 1 of these degrees, as these units will provide you with advanced standing in the Bachelor of Pharmacy.
If you do not meet the ATAR, or you are amature age student and do not meet the General Entry Requirements, you could consider enrolment in the Bachelor of Health and Community Care. This degree can be custom designed to becoming an employable graduate in various health related fields or as a pathway to access other health courses.
Please contact us for further information.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Domestic students enrolled in a full fee paying place are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the fees you pay for each unit you enrol in. Full fee paying domestic students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Detailed tuition fee information for domestic students is available at the Domestic Student Fees website, including additional information in relation to a compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2021 Total Course Fee (international students): $0 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $32,450 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
Relocation Bursary in Pharmacy
A relocation bursary is available to domestic students relocating from interstate who are commencing the Bachelor of Pharmacy (M3F) at the University of Tasmania in Semester 1, 2018.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 1300 363 864
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries