Bachelor of Pharmacy
The University of Auckland’s Bachelor of Pharmacy degree (BPharm) is designed to provide students with comprehensive and practical training for a career in pharmacy.
Structured with an emphasis on research, clinical experience and interaction with the public, the BPharm equips students with a range of skills required for effective pharmacy practice. It extends beyond traditional approaches to pharmacy education by shifting the focus from drug chemistry and delivery to incorporate issues such as drug development, patient use, and optimisation of patient care through interaction with other health professionals.
Developed in consultation with leading New Zealand pharmacists, the degree reflects the needs of contemporary and future pharmacy practice. It places emphasis on the development of independent and critical thinking, stresses the importance of professionalism and ethical practice, and develops practical skills in analysis, problem solving and information management.
Themes in population medicine, social science, pharmacology, pharmacy practice and pharmaceutics continue throughout the programme and are supported by courses in biomedical science, medicinal chemistry, immunology and pharmacy practice – incorporating ethical issues related to practice and pharmaceutical management.
Graduates of the BPharm will enter their profession with a commitment to the care of people, strengths in communication, and an applied knowledge of medicines. With clinical experience a major focus in the latter stages of the programme, students will qualify as effective and competent graduates familiar with all aspects of professional practice.
The Programme
The Bachelor of Pharmacy is a four year, full-time degree that builds on biomedical, pharmaceutical and health sciences during the first two years of the programme, and progresses to more specific and applied disciplines in years three and four. The BPharm is taught through a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, seminars, supervised clinical practice and self-directed projects.
2nd year
An introduction to pharmacy principles and foundational concepts and knowlege. Topics such as law and ethics, professionalism, clinical communication, and cultural competency are covered as well as pharmaceutical sciences.
The second semester consists of multi week modules focusing on a certain field of medicines, such as infectious diseases or dermatology.
3rd year
The structure of modules is largely similar to the second semester of the 2nd year, with 2-5 week modules but in more depth, involving conditions, relevant medicines and treatment options, etc.
There is considerably more detailed information and linking of prior concepts compared to the 2nd year and a greater focus on the application of knowledge. Clinical skills for patient interaction are further built on and are worth 30% of each semester’s grade (OSCEs).
4th year
A continuation of previous years in structure but with more ‘self-directed’ learning and higher standards for work and practice. There are integrated modules which consolidate information from all past learning.
A dissertation in the final year of study consolidates research and analytical skills, while a series of practice placements enables students to gain experience in appropriate clinical settings under the guidance of experienced pharmacists.
What’s next?
After graduation, a year long pre-registration training programme is administered by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Registration as a pharmacist occurs after successful completion of this year.VPSL Vicary Pharmacy Services Limited
More information about the BPharm programme can be found here along with entry requirements, required forms to be filled, important dates, and contacts.