Masters Degrees (Pharmacotherapy)

Introduction

This program provides a direct pathway to a professional postgraduate qualification in Pharmacy for registration as a pharmacist in Australia.

Course description, features and facilities

This master's degree course provides advanced study in the areas of pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, pharmacotherapy and health systems, and includes practical training in community and hospital pharmacy.

Structure

Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; S3 = summer teaching period; N/A = not available in 2015;
NS = non-standard teaching period; OS = offshore teaching period; * = to be advised

All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.

Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2016 or 2017.

Take all units (120 points):

S1 PHCY5601 Introduction to Pharmacy Practice
S2 PHCY5602 Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapy 1
S2 PHCY5603 Applied Pharmacotherapy
S2 PHCY5605 Clinical Science for Pharmacy I
S1 PHCY5606 Foundations of Clinical Science
S1 PHCY5609 Current Developments in Nutrition, Health and Biotechnology
S1 PHCY5610 Physical Pharmacy and Biopharmaceutics
S2 PHCY5611 Medicinal Product Formulation
S1 PHCY5612 Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapy 2
S2 PHCY5613 Pharmacy Management and Pharmacoeconomics
S2 PHCY5614 Pharmacy Research Project (12 points)
NS PHCY5615 Pharmacy Placement I (12 points)
NS PHCY5616 Pharmacy Placement II (12 points)
S1 PHCY5617 Clinical Science for Pharmacy II
S1 PHCY5618 Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Analysis
S2 PHCY5619 Medicinal Chemistry for Pharmacy
S1 PUBH5763 Leadership and Management of Health Services

Professional recognition

The Master of Pharmacy is fully accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council. Graduates are eligible to register to practise as a pharmacist in Australia and New Zealand after completion of an internship in a community or hospital pharmacy.

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The MSc Professional Practice (Learning Disability) is open to all professionals working with people who have a learning disability. Professionals working with this client group need to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in order to meet the clients’ changing needs.

The aim of this degree is to transform your practice and thus improve the quality of care for service users. Module content and delivery is underpinned by the latest research evidence, which ensures that this award meets the challenges of the demanding and dynamic environments that health and social care practitioners work in today.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/609-msc-professional-practice-learning-disability

What you will study

Modules
Core modules:
- Research methods
- Dissertation

Specialist modules:
There modules relate directly to this degree.

- Autistic Spectrum Disorder
This 20 credit module covers areas such as Introduction to Autistic Spectrum Disorders; autism; Asperger’s syndrome; incidence and prevalence, diagnosis; assessment strategies; related syndromes and conditions; bio-psycho-social factors; diet; pharmacotherapy; environmental considerations; communication methods; TEACCH; therapeutic approaches;

- Contemporary Issues in Learning Disability
This 20 credit module covers areas such as local, national and international policy developments; inter-professional practice; quality of life; frameworks and philosophies of care; anti-discriminatory practice; vulnerability and abuse issues; stake holder involvement; developments in research and service delivery; person centred approaches; developments in technology.

- Advocacy
This 20 credit module covers areas such as – What is Advocacy and the different types of advocacy- independent; self; group; citizen and professional; Legislation and duties; Mental Capacity Act 2005 and consent; the role of the IMCA; DOLS; Human Rights Act 1998 and Equalities Act 2010; Power, Empowerment and Participation; Practical skills – supporting people to self advocate; Communicating concepts; listening, negotiation skills; Developing, marshalling and presenting coherent arguments on behalf of others; Policy and Guidance e.g. POVA; advocacy within the policy process; ethical principles, frameworks and decision making; interagency working, confidentiality and sharing information; thresholds for intervention/referral; creating an advocacy culture.

Learning and teaching methods

To gain the MSc Professional Practice (Learning Disability) degree you will need to study at least 80 credits (including your dissertation of 60 credits) relating to the support and care of people with learning disabilities. This means that you must choose to study at least one of the specialist modules. To graduate from a masters’ degree course you must study a total of 180 credits which must include a 40 credit research module.

These modules run yearly depending on demand and are usually delivered via weekly four-hour sessions throughout the academic year.

Teaching methods include facilitated discussions, seminars, workshops and presentations. You will be required to undertake background reading to develop a broad knowledge base and encouraged to become a critical thinker, enabling you to question theories and develop your own ideas informed by evidence and research.

We offer a range of support services for students with a disability. We encourage you to discuss your individual requirements with an adviser as early as possible when you apply.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

To date, students undertaking this course have normally been qualified nurses. However, other professionals such as psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and social workers have undertaken modules. Currently, there are attempts being made to include this pathway or elements of it in the post qualified social work framework and childrens nursing post registration programme. Feedback received from students undertaking modules has so far been very positive especially the use of service users and carers as well as specialist practitioners and leading academics.

Assessment methods

Assessments will take the form of written assignments (one linked to publication).

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This graduate entry master course enables science graduates to become registered pharmacists. It will provide you with a comprehensive theoretical base, including chemical, biological, physiological, pharmaceutical and pharmacotherapeutics studies.

In this course you’ll complete two additional study periods over the summer period, as well as two usual semesters each year. The first study period is an intensive six-week training program involving 30 hours weekly contact and continuous assessment. In this period you’ll be introduced to important concepts in pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical practice.

The rest of your first year will focus on pharmaceutical science, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology and pharmaceutical practice. At the end of your first year you’ll complete a community pharmacy placement under the supervision of a practicing pharmacist to develop skills in the clinical setting.

In your second year you’ll focus on pharmacotherapy and develop research skills. You’ll also complete a hospital placement to cement your practical skills.

Throughout this course you’ll use high quality laboratories and facilities designed to enhance teaching and provide you with essential practical skills. The school laboratories include a model dispensary, a manufacturing laboratory, an asepsis suite and laboratories for microbiological, chemical and pharmacological investigations.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council.

Graduates are required to complete a preregistration training period and register as a pharmacist before being able to commence practice in most areas of the profession. Graduates are able to register to practice in all states and territories in Australia and New Zealand.

This course provides a great stepping stone to registration in other countries throughout Asia and in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Some countries may require fulfilment of additional practical training programs.

Career opportunities

Graduates are both highly employable and sought after. As a graduate, you may seek a career in health care working in the fields of community, hospital or consult pharmacy.

The role of the pharmacist within community pharmacy has expanded to include assisting patients with the management of their chronic diseases, such as obesity, asthma and diabetes. In the future, pharmacists in the primary care setting are going to become increasingly involved in the care of patients through multidisciplinary teams. The setting of practice of pharmacy will expand from the community pharmacist to include medical clinics and the patient’s home. The role of pharmacists as prescribers is currently under investigation.

Within hospitals, pharmacists provide a diverse range of services from drug distribution and dispensing, provision of drug information and education, through to ward-based clinical pharmacy services where they participate in patient care as part of a team. Hospital pharmacists may also engage in quality assurance programs and clinical research.

Consultant pharmacists provide medication management review services. They work in collaboration with patients and their doctors to ensure the patient achieves the best outcomes from their drug therapy. Such pharmacists work in aged care facilities and/or patients’ homes.

Graduates may also develop a career in the pharmaceutical industry which employs pharmacists in a number of areas including research roles in the development of medicines, production of pharmaceuticals, quality assurance, regulatory services, marketing and drug information.

Graduates may also work for the State or Federal Government in regulatory and policy roles.

Credit for previous study

Applications for credit for recognised learning (CRL) are assessed on an individual basis.

2016 Curtin International Scholarships: Merit Scholarship

Curtin University is an inspiring, vibrant, international organisation, committed to making tomorrow better. It is a beacon for innovation, driving advances in technology through high-impact research and offering more than 100 practical, industry-aligned courses connecting to workplaces of tomorrow.

Ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015, the University is also ranked 25th in the world for universities under the age of 50 in the QS World University Rankings 2015 Curtin also received an overall five-star excellence rating in the QS stars rating.

Curtin University strives to give high achieving international students the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised education through offering the Merit Scholarship. The Merit Scholarship will give you up to 25 per cent of your first year tuition fees and if you enrol in an ELB program at Curtin English before studying at Curtin, you will also receive a 10 per cent discount on your Curtin English fees.

For full details and terms and conditions of this scholarship, please visit: curtin.edu/int-scholarships and click on Merit.

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A Royal College of Nursing accredited course, for senior neonatal nurses wishing to advance their careers to advanced neonatal nurse practitioner level.

Who is it for?

MSC in Advance Practice in Health and Social Care (Neonatal Route) is designed for experienced neonatal nurses who are interested in advancing their skills and Knowledge in neonatal medicine.

The modules will equip you to undertake a junior doctor’s role, whilst practising as an advanced neonatal nurse practitioner. Graduates from this programme also gain the necessary skills and knowledge to act as nurse consultant, lead nurse, clinical educator and clinical researcher, within the primary, secondary, or tertiary healthcare settings. Applicants must hold a minimum of Band 6 clinical post in a neonatal setting.

Objectives

As a student on this course you will develop a clear understanding of the underpinning principles of applied anatomy and physiology.

You will be taught decision-making processes based on a solid foundation of pathophysiology and individualised patient assessment that can be directly applied to your workplace. You will be exposed to the principles of applied pharmacotherapy and emerge as a safe prescribing practitioner with the ability to stand within the modern NHS, bridging the gap between the nursing and medical practice.

You will be encouraged to operate as part of a team, learning the principles of team training, human factors and crisis resource management to which you will be exposed within the workplace. You will develop skills in research and applied data analysis as well as a deeper understanding of health and social care settings and the role of an advanced nurse practitioner.

The programme is led by senior neonatologists and academic staff from City, University of London and supported by senior ANNP and neonatal consultants from Barts Health NHS Trust.

Placements

In addition to the taught component, you must spend a minimum of 150 hours per discipline specific module providing direct and indirect clinical care, attending clinical teachings and seminars. You must have your study time approved before commencing the programme.

Academic facilities

The Clinical Skills Centre at City offers students excellent clinical training facilities. You will have access to a simulated 6-bedded high dependency unit (HDU) with realistic equipment including piped oxygen, call bells, medicines and emergency equipment. In addition, medium fidelity simulators and laboratories, including a biology laboratory, allow you to rehearse skills in preparation for practice in a range of placements, including clinics and people's homes.

The School of Health Science is one of the first health schools in the UK to open a Technology Enabled Care Studio, City TECS. City TECS is specially designed studio flat at our Northampton Square campus, fully equipped with the latest telehealth and telecare technologies providing City students with the unique opportunity to learn how to use the latest and future healthcare technologies whilst studying.

Teaching and learning

Students will learn from a variety of student-centred and problem based teaching and learning strategies aimed at developing and assessing knowledge, skills and attitudes. Learning strategies involve shared learning across the MSC programmes. Discipline specific modules are led by senior neonatologist from Barts Health NHS.

There will be extensive use of City's virtual learning platform - Moodle - for a more interactive learning experience.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used to assess the programme learning outcomes. The choice of assessment method will be influenced by the focus and learning outcomes of the modules. Assessment strategies include coursework, examinations, reports, seminar presentations, portfolios, skills schedules and VIVA VOCE.

Modules

Full-time students will usually study two modules per semester, spend two days a week in classes and two-three days in the clinical area.

Part-time students will usually study one module per semester and spend a minimum of 11.5 hours per week in clinical practice.

Core modules
-Introduction to research methods and applied data analysis (30 credits)
-Critical approaches to advanced practice (15 credits)
-Dissertation (60 credits)

Elective modules
-Advanced Physical Assessment of the Newborn and Infant (15 credits)
-Critical thinking and Diagnostic Reasoning across the Lifespan - Neonates (15 credits)
-Neonatal Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (15 credits)
-Independent and supplementary non-medical prescribing (30 credits)

Career prospects

Graduates will be able to influence neonatal care at both direct and indirect levels through the development of services and the application of research to clinical practice. The course prepares students for a range of roles including advanced neonatal nurse practitioner, educator, researcher nurse consultant and senior nurse manager in all healthcare settings.

Successful completion of the course fulfils the requirements for advanced practitioner roles in a range of health and social care contexts and qualifies students to apply for research posts and to conduct independent research.

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About the programme

Widely considered the new epidemic of the 21st century, heart failure is a leading cause of hospitalization in patients over 65 years of age. The increasingly complex demands of treating such patients calls for a new kind of physician, i.e. a cardiologist who is not only competent in clinical medicine and pharmacotherapy, but is also skilled in cardiac devices and their programming. This specialist must also be highly knowledgeable in imaging modalities and procedures of the coronary circulation and valvular apparatus, and similarly qualified in the management of patients with end-stage heart failure.

Program Features

PCHF consists of a two-year programme with eight modules of 2,5 days each, a total of 160 hours lectures and 140 hours of self-study. Each module is chaired by an internationally recognized expert.

Year 1:
- How to approach heart failure
- Specific forms of heart failure / hfpef
- Treatment and follow-up of heart failure
- Device therapy in heart failure I

Year 2:
- Device therapy in heart failure II
- Multidisciplinary procedures
- Acute & advanced heart failure
- Mechanical circulatory support & transplantation in heart failure

Tuition fees

Course fees are 1000CHF.

Travel, accommodation and other expenses accrued during the course will be covered by the participants

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