by
coursework with thesis component
University Handbook
| Requirements
for RHD | Research in the School | OH&S and Lab Safety Guidelines | unit schedule
Introduction
- It is widely acknowledged
that there is a worldwide shortage of pharmaceutical scientists
and biotechnology graduates.
- There has also been
a shortage of pharmacists for a number of years in many countries,
including Australia, resulting in difficulties for pharmaceutical
companies attempting to recruit pharmacy graduates to a range
of positions from research to marketing.
- This course will
provide graduates with the skills required for the international
biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industry.
- It is expected that
graduates may be employed in a variety of areas within the biopharmaceutical
and pharmaceutical industries - in the manufacturing, research,
quality control and marketing of pharmaceuticals. Other organisations
and institutions where employment could be expected include medical
research institutes, hospitals and associated biomedical research
laboratories, universities, government research laboratories,
and government regulatory agencies.
- There is continuing
demand for suitably qualified graduates for jobs in health and
pharmaceutical industry, especially regulatory affairs.
- Pharmacy graduates,
who would be suitable for these positions, tend to practice pharmacy
instead, and many Science graduates lack the appropriate education.
Why
study this degree? Find out why Raghu and Angela (recent graduates)
did - includes Manusika and Amey (currently studying).
The
benefits of this course?
To provide the opportunity for non-pharmacy graduates who wish
to gain skills and qualifications in the pharmaceutical sciences.
In addition, the objectives of this course are to provide graduates
with research experience and a pathway towards a Research Higher
Degree. The supervised program of research within the Masters degree
will provide candidates with the opportunity to develop their potential
for research, develop a solid grounding in research methodology
and enhance their skills of problem identification and problem-solving,
and their ability to develop and present solutions. The program
of research will prepare students for admission to PhD candidature.
Knowledge:
Graduates will have an in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical
sciences. The course will promote the application of that knowledge
to practical issues via case studies and problem-solving exercises,
and the research component. Learning will occur both independently
and cooperatively in-group discussions. They will be acutely aware
of the need for life-long learning in a dynamic field such as the
pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sciences. The mix of a variety
of coursework units and the research component, and accompanying
assessment procedures (written and practical examinations, research
thesis) will develop a wide range of academic skills.
Communication:
Graduates will have demonstrated effective oral, written, numerical
and graphic communication skills. They will have delivered many
presentations to their peers and lecturers during the completion
of the course. They will have extensively utilised information technology
to source, interpret and present relevant information. Through case
studies, problem-solving exercises, and group presentations, they
will have learnt to listen to and evaluate the views of others.
Problem
solving skills: The units in the course emphasise the
development and use of problem-solving skills, and the application
of information literacy skills in finding acquiring, evaluating,
and managing relevant information in a range of media. This is facilitated
by case studies, literature evaluation exercises and problem-solving
exercises, and the research component. Group exercises and discussions
will demonstrate the need to work effectively with others.
Global
perspective: The course will provide an introduction
to the international pharmaceutical industry, including such issues
as the global marketing of pharmaceuticals, equity in access to
pharmaceuticals, and ethical issues in the development and marketing
of pharmaceuticals, and attention to orphan drugs and diseases etc.
Entry
to the Course
Requirements:
MPharmSc: 60% average in final two(2)
years or minimum or three (3) years postgraduate experience.
| MPharmSc program: |
|
|
| Coursework:
|
|
87.5% |
| Research
Project: |
|
50% |
| Duration:
|
|
18 months maximum full-time |
| Fee: |
|
Australian: equivalent to BPharm HECS fee
International: equivalent to international BPharm fee (see
Fees) |
Progress: |
|
review after each semester |
Satisfactory:
|
|
- Minimum of passing grades in coursework
|
|
|
- Research project: literature review, planning,
initial data collection and analysis must be equivalent
to H2 or HF.
|
| |
|
This enables progression to completion of project
and submission of thesis. |
Very good: |
|
(equivalent to HU or HF). It is possible to
convert enrolment into a PhD program. This will require an additional
1.5 - 2 years study and submission of a PhD thesis (see RHD
Handbook for details). |
Less than
Satisfactory: |
|
If progress is less than satisfactory enrolment
may be converted to a Graduate Diploma of Pharmaceutical Science
(GradDipPharmSc). This is
a 12 month course (maximum full-time). Assessment of grade and
award will be based on academic performance within the structure
of this course (coursework = 87.5%, research unit = 12.5%). |
Non-pharmacy graduates
who wish to gain skills and qualifications in the pharmaceutical
sciences, with a minimum of a science-based Bachelor's degree of
the University of Tasmania or of another university or tertiary
institution which is deemed equivalent. Where an undergraduate degree
has been recently obtained, a minimum average grade of 60% obtained
in the final two years of study would be required for entry to the
Master of Pharmaceutical Science program. Appropriate post-graduate
work experience of at least three years will also be considered
as a basis for accepance into this program.
Graduates of this course
may progress to PhD candidature.
The award of the Master
of Pharmaceutical Science will not qualify a person for registration
as a pharmacist.
Course
Structure
Course
Schedule
One (1) calendar year
(or 5 semesters) full-time or up to three (3) calendar years part-time.
Teaching will be primarily
based on existing pharmacy undergraduate units and consist of lectures,
tutorials, practicals, assignments and a research project. Some
online component will be available initially, however, it is anticipated
that the online content will increase in future years.
Graduates will gain
knowledge in the pharmaceutical sciences, and develop skills in
written and verbal communication in these areas. They will deliver
many presentations to their peers and lecturers during the completion
of the course, and extensively utilised information technology.
Graduates will experience problem-solving in the pharmaceutical
sciences, and will study the global context of pharmaceuticals.
Social and ethical implications of these studies will be emphasised.
The thesis component
will comprise the planning and conduct of a research project leading
to a thesis and will include CSA441 Research in Pharmacy.
The Rules governing
progress through the course are published annually in the University
Handbook (link above). The School also adheres to the University
policy on plaigarism.
Responsible faculty or school | Tasmanian School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Science
Campus(es) offered | Hobart
Mode of delivery | Full time | Part time (also limited mid-year entry)
Course duration | 1.5 years/18 months (semesters 1,2,3,4,5) full time
Costs (course fees only – annual) | HECS: NO [may be eligible for PELS] | Fees | International students
Approximate student-staff contact hours | 22 hrs weekly 26 wks
|
