Make a difference to the world and your career.
An honours year gives you a taste of a research career and enhances your job prospects upon graduation. Designed to provide a clear pathway from a bachelor’s degree to a higher degree by research — primarily a PhD, the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours) offers an optimal blend of pharmaceutical science knowledge and skills with research experience in your chosen area of research.
You’ll be able to select coursework modules of your interest to customise your study towards your specific research topic and pursue original research under the guidance of a leading academic expert in the field.
This course comprises 48 credit points across a combination of coursework (12 credit points) and research (36 credit points).
The coursework component consists of the modules you select based on your research interest, which will help you develop advanced theoretical and/or technical knowledge of the area of research focus within pharmaceutical science. Studies can be undertaken within the general research themes of:
- drug discovery biology
- formulation science
- medicinal chemistry
- medicine use and safety.
In the research component, you will develop research methodologies appropriate to your focus and plan, and execute a research project under the guidance of at least one academic supervisor.
More information
The Monash University Handbook has detailed information about the course structure and requirements.
Ranked #2 in the world
Monash University is ranked #2 in the world for pharmacy and pharmacology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
International standards
This course uses the same robust, current and evolving curriculum offered at the Parkville campus in Australia.
Research pathway
This course is a one-year intensive preparation for the direct transition from your bachelor’s degree to doctoral degree study. Build a solid foundation in research skills and methodologies to start strong in your research career.
Specialise in an area that inspires you
You’ll have the opportunity to customise your studies, choosing coursework components that align with your research interests.
Industry-standard instrumentation
You will study with some of the most ambitious and driven pharmaceutical researchers, and you will work in state-of-the-art facilities with industry-standard equipment.
Expert guidance
Our faculty consists of industry-leading experts with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical sector, who are passionate about sharing their knowledge with the next generation of pharmaceutical scientists. You’ll receive the highest quality education and be well-prepared for a successful career in the field.
Pathway to a career in pharmaceutical science
If you hold a bachelor’s degree in allied sciences, this course will streamline your career pathway in drug discovery and development.
Financial assistance
Receive a 10% tuition fee waiver when you successfully enrol in this course. Or if you’re a high-achieving student, you may qualify for the Graduate Research Pathway Scholarship. Click here for more details.
The course serves as a bridging program from a bachelor’s degree to the enrolment in doctoral degree (PhD) study.
Employment options outside academia include:
- Analytical development specialist/scientist
- Bioassay development specialist/scientist
- Cosmeceutical specialist/scientist
- Drug product development specialist/scientist
- Formulation specialist/scientist
- Manufacturing specialist/scientist
- Medicinal chemist
- Nutraceutical specialist/scientist
- Pharmaceutical and medical science liaison specialist
- Pharmaceutical chemist
- Pharmaceutical development specialist/scientist
- Pharmacovigilance specialist/scientist
- Preclinical and translational pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics specialist/scientist
- Quality assurance specialist/scientist
- Quality control specialist/scientist
- Regulatory affairs specialist/scientist.
To enter Monash University, you must satisfy particular academic, English language and age requirements.
To apply for the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (Honours), you must have completed at least one of the following:
- an Australian bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, medicinal chemistry, formulation science, biomedical science, or other related field with an average overall distinction grade (70%) or higher in the final year of the course, or
- equivalent qualifications and experience approved by the faculty’s Graduate Research Committee.