Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2018
You're viewing degree information for Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)
Program Code
IBPA
SATAC Code
414331 (Internal)
Study as
Full-time
or part-time
Admissions
Information Set
Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 71.90 (for 2017)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 80.00 (for 2018)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements
Prerequisites
One of the following:
SACE Stage 2 Biology
SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
SACE Stage 2 Physics
More info
Assumed Knowledge
None
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Entry requirements
To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to:
Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and
- obtain a competitive ATAR, and
- meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C-
Alternatively, applicants can fulfil one of the following requirements with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements, and other academic requirements for the program:
- Complete secondary education qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points, or
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above, or
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above, or
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a University Foundation Studies program
Prerequisites
One of the following:
SACE Stage 2 Biology
SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
SACE Stage 2 PhysicsAssumed Knowledge
NoneDeferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Key features
- Study the only pharmaceutical science degree in South Australia.
- Study in the new $247 million Health Innovation Building.
- Learn from above world-class researchers1 in Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Clinical Sciences.
- Gain hands-on experience in our on-campus, purpose-built pharmacy laboratory and model pharmacy.
- Have the opportunity to graduate with a double degree in pharmaceutical science and pharmacy.
- Enjoy diverse employment opportunities and excellent job prospects in a rapidly growing industry.
- Complete an industry project or placement.
12015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Snapshot
If you want a career where you are involved in developing new drugs, preventing illness and treating disease, pharmaceutical science may be for you.
This flexible degree can be tailored to suit your interests and career ambitions. You can focus on:
- drug discovery and development
- manufacturing and production
- sales, marketing and management
You will also develop advanced communication skills when you complete an industry project or placement relating to your area of interest. Depending on your academic achievement during the first two years you may be accepted into an honours program.
You may also have the opportunity to graduate with a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) by completing just an extra two years of study. Eligibility will be dependent on academic performance following the completion of the first two years.
What you'll need
All students in the Division of Health Sciences who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must obtain a current National Police Clearance and a Current National Criminal History Record Check (Child-Related Clearance) from the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). This certificate is valid for the duration of the degree.
Why Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
As a pharmaceutical science student you will benefit from our industry connections, experienced staff and purpose-built teaching spaces.
This flexible degree allows you to gain specialist knowledge that supports your career goals including research and development, manufacturing and quality control and drug development.
In terms of teaching facilities, we offer a state-of-the-art, purpose-built pharmacy laboratory where students can learn skills in drug development and pharmaceutical sciences.
Our teaching staff are also renowned researchers, so you will be learning from leading academics; and our affiliation with the Sansom Institute for Health Research and the Centre for Cancer Biology provides valuable networking opportunities and resources.
The pharmaceutical industry is rapidly growing, due in part to an ageing population and technological advances that make it easier and more cost effective for new medications to be created and tested. This broadening market means graduates of this degree enjoy excellent job prospects.
Employment opportunities are diverse and you will be qualified to take on professional roles in many areas, including:
- evaluation of medicines by government regulatory agencies
- identification and measurement of drugs by analytical laboratories
- clinical trials that test the efficiency of medicines in patients
- interrogation of medicine usage to improve health outcomes and minimise health costs
- marketing and sales of medicines for human and veterinary use
Industry facts
What others are saying
The program is comprehensive and gives you the freedom of choosing electives to design a course that is suited to the direction you want to head in.
Emilia Morris
Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
What you'll learn
During the first year you will develop an understanding of basic sciences. You will also focus on career development and factors influencing the pharmaceutical industry domestically and internationally.
During the second and third years you will focus on:
- pharmaceutical sciences
- biological sciences
- drug discovery, development and commercialisation
This degree places a unique emphasis on the development and commercialisation of a range of pharmaceutical products, such as injections, tablets, creams and ointments.
You will then get the opportunity to fine-tune your study to your own personal interests and career aspirations when you choose from a range of elective courses during your final two years.
You may choose to specialise in areas such as:
- research and development (including drug discovery)
- manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemistry (including quality control)
- drug development (including clinical trials)
- business (including sales, marketing, legal, regulatory and drug information)
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- quizzes
- practicals
- presentations
- practical portfolios
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Take a tour of City East campus, the hub of health and medical science at UniSA. You'll get to see some of our favourite spaces on campus and gain an insight into how our students use them every day.
I am a published researcher and educator. My research centres on the use of computational tools to ultimately improve the drug development process.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarship search page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.
Adelaide - City East campus
City East boasts impressive facilities such as purpose-built facilities, health clinics and a fitness centre, open to students and the public. It’s right in the heart of the CBD and adjacent to bustling Rundle Street, with some of Adelaide’s best dining and shopping experiences. Explore City East >
Your study spaces
As a pharmaceutical science student you will have access to:
- on-campus, purpose-built pharmacy laboratory
- on-campus model pharmacy
- research resources at the Sansom Institute for Health Research and the Centre for Cancer Biology
Your study experience
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student gyms, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- services offered through our student association, USASA
When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive credit (recognised prior learning) for this experience. Receiving credit will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
Credit is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.