Pharmacy at Charles Sturt University

School of Biomedical Sciences offers  a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in health-related areas across the Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga campuses and we are committed to providing a quality learning experience for our students and graduates for the professions who understand the journey of lifelong learning.

Courses are characterised by hands on learning and commitment to rural health. Our graduates are highly regarded by industry and regularly gain employment before graduation and receive prestige industry awards, such as the Pharmaceutical Society Student of the Year.

Staff in the School are committed to research and work with community agencies and health centres to help solve issues that affect the health and wellbeing of people all over the world. Their research informs their teaching, ensuring that our students are at the forefront of developments in biomedical sciences.

Bachelor of Pharmacy

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, which may be chosen from over 30 subjects in areas such as the arts and humanities, commerce, science, computing and health studies. The elective allows you to follow and develop particular interests which may enhance your capacity to work in a variety of exciting careers.

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 from Charles Sturt University, you (in common with all other Pharmacy graduates in Australia) are required to undertake a period of supervised training. Currently, in NSW, this period of pre-registration training is 2,000 hours and is concluded by an examination set by The Pharmacy Board of NSW. When that exam has been passed, you may register and practise pharmacy anywhere in NSW. Graduate pharmacists registered in NSW may also seek registration recognition anywhere within the Commonwealth 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.

Clinical requirements

• Criminal Record Clearence
• Immunisation
• Senior First Aid Certificate

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines. Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Campus

Orange; Wagga Wagga

Duration

4 years full-time on campus

Admission rank cut-offs

ATAR + criteria

CRICOS code

022016K

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 256 points (26 subjects) and pass all clinical practice placements. For students in the Honours stream, determination of the grade of Honours will depend on coursework performance in years three and four of the course as well as performance in the dissertation subject. Students will graduate from the Bachelor of Pharmacy with the award BPharm or BPharm(Hons).

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