WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE
LEARN ABOUT US
The School of Pharmaceutical Science at JCSM offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses (in collaboration with the School of Postgraduate Studies) across Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy including the new integrated Master's degrees in Applied Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmaceutical Science with Business Management.
The philosophy of the School of Pharmaceutical Science is to produce passionate pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists who are adept in addressing many of the major healthcare challenges that we will all face in the 2020s and beyond.
Pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists have the potential to forge strong and unique bridges between science and healthcare to improve health outcomes, built on the back of developing good relationships with patients, healthcare practitioners and the pharmaceutical industry.
OUR PROGRAMS
THE 4-YEAR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (Pharm.D.) COURSE
The 4-Year Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Program is a professional program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career as a pharmacist.
This is a graduate entry course for B.Pharm holders or equivalent, from the James Cook School of Medicine or any other recognized University.
With a focus on patient care, our curriculum includes an interprofessional component that prepares future pharmacists to work collaboratively with other health care providers in various settings such as hospitals, primary care practices, and communities.
In addition to traditional roles in pharmacy, our graduates have opportunities to work in regulatory authorities, health research, government, pharmaceutical industry, and education.
FIRST YEAR
The first professional year explores the scientific underpinnings of Pharmacy with courses in Pharmacology, Human Anatomy, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, and Applied Pathophysiology.
As well, students are introduced to the professional role of the pharmacist, with Pharmacy Informatics, Extemporaneous Pharmaceutical Compounding, and an Applied Pharmacy Practice Laboratory. A general introduction to the Pharmacotherapy Literature is also provided in the first year.
SECOND YEAR
The second professional year continues the Applied Pharmacy Practice Laboratory and further develops study in Pharmacotherapy Literature and Clinical Therapeutics.
The second professional year explores the actions of drugs on the body in greater detail (Drug Delivery, Applied Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacogenetics), as well as the relationship between nutrition and health.
The professional role is further developed with an introduction to the regulatory environment (Pharmacy Law), and the community and hospital practice environments.
THIRD YEAR
In addition to continuation of the Applied Pharmacy Practice Laboratory, ongoing study in Pharmacotherapy Literature and Clinical Therapeutics and further development of the topics introduced in the second professional year, the third professional year provides greater exposure to the pharmacist’s clinical (Advanced Therapeutics, Toxicology of Medications and Drug Abuse, and Concepts of Integrative Medicine) and professional roles (Applied Professional Practice, and Pharmacy Management).
FOURTH YEAR
The Pharm.D. is designed to provide students with service-learning opportunities throughout the program, with in-depth experiences in patient care settings through placements in hospital, community, and primary care settings in the final year of studies.
These experiences are further enhanced with a Pharmacy Clinical rotation, internship and exposure to the research domain (Pharmacy Research Project) in the final year.
THE 5-YEAR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (Pharm.D.) COURSE
Our 5-Year Pharm.D. Course James Cook School of Medicine is a high School entry course which encompasses a 2-Year Pre-Pharmacy program and an accelerated 3-year Pharm.D. program.
Set yourself up for success in becoming a highly-skilled, patient-centered pharmacist. First-time freshmen complete their undergraduate requirements in the same environment as their Pharm.D. studies.
Our graduates have consistently had a higher first-time pass rate at our national exam than the national average.
Since 1999, the School of Pharmacy has been training pharmacists who are problem-solvers, innovators and leaders.
The Pre-Pharmacy Advantage Program gives first-time freshmen the opportunity to complete their undergraduate requirements in the same environment as their Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) studies.
Our Pre-Pharmacy program lays a strong foundation, setting you up for success as you pursue a career in pharmacy.
THE 7-YEAR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY / DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Pharm.D./ Ph.D.) COURSE
The Pharm.D./Ph.D. program is designed to produce Pharmacists and academic clinician scientists with advanced clinical and research skills who are interested in a career that combines both research and clinical medicine.
The Pharm.D./Ph.D. program is for students currently enrolled in Pharmacy who then pursue graduate studies in Clinical Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy or Public Health (Epidemiology) at the end of their second year or for current graduate students who are conducting health-related research.
The Pharm.D. component develops the skills necessary for a career in the practice of Pharmacy. The Ph.D. component develops research skills and provides experience required for biomedical research. There are two pathways to enter the Pharm.D./Ph.D. program.
The traditional pathway is where Pharmacy students pursue a Ph.D. in a health-related field during a sabbatical from the Pharm.D. program after year 2 of Pharmacy and before year 3 of Pharmacy. The second pathway to enter the Pharm.D./Ph.D. program is where current graduate students in a health-related field get accepted into the Pharm.D. program during their graduate program.
THE 4-YEAR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY/MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (Pharm.D./MPH) COURSE
The James Cook School of Medicine Pharm.D./MPH program is unique in several ways.
Our program integrates significant components of the MPH coursework into the Pharm.D. curriculum which allow students run the program during their Clinical rotation year in Pharmacy School, and Graduate with a Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Public Health dual degrees simultaneously
The program is designed to provide graduates with the clinical and research skills required to approach health problems from a population and prevention perspective by integrating the roles of the biological sciences and clinical practice into the broader sets of knowledge and practices used in public health.
We will graduate pharmacists who are provided the academic knowledge and skills, as well as the clinical experience to improve the health of all populations, especially those most vulnerable and underserved.
Only Students who registered for the Pharm.D./MPH course will be awarded the dual degrees upon graduation.
THE 7-YEAR BACHELOR OF PHARMACY (HONS) / DOCTOR OF PHARMACY (B.Pharm./Pharm.D.) COURSE
The 7-Year B.Pharm (Hons) and Pharm.D. Course at the James Cook School of Medicine, is a High School Entry course.
This program gives high School graduates the opportunity to attain a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) (Hons.) and a Specialized Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree with a focus in Clinical Pharmacy.
After the first 4 years of this programme a B.Pharm. (Hons) shall be Conferred on deserving students. Upon Completion of the first 4 years, students can then proceed to the accelerated specialized 3-Year Pharm.D. course with special emphasis in Clinical Pharmacy.
