UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit, scientific, clinical, and professional content is presented longitudinally, integrating key themes in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice, and research. Students will explore foundational concepts such as pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutics, which are reinforced through practical sessions and tutorials that connect theory to real-world applications.

Case-based and simulated learning introduces clinically relevant scenarios, enabling students to develop communication skills, patient counselling techniques, and problem-solving abilities while fostering an understanding of patient-centred care. Students will also gain an appreciation of professional and ethical responsibilities through focused content on pharmacy regulations, legal frameworks, and healthcare systems.

The unit introduces critical analysis and evidence-based principles, including research design and literature evaluation. Broader themes such as health literacy, social determinants of health, and professional identity are also addressed, preparing students to engage meaningfully with diverse patient populations and the wider healthcare system. Through integrated activities and academic coaching, students develop the foundational knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours required for success in pharmacy education and practice.

Credit

24 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode	First year of offer
Not available in 2025	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate personal autonomy, professionalism, integrity, and accountability in simulated settings; (2) explain ethical, privacy, and data security principles in managing health information in contemporary and traditional formats; (3) apply critical thinking and decision-making skills when assessing legal and ethical aspects of pharmacy practice; (4) explain how established and emerging pharmaceutical science (pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical calculations, and medicinal chemistry), pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic principles can be applied to the safe and quality use of medicines; (5) prepare and supply medicines accurately and efficiently, including basic extemporaneous preparations, in accordance with legislative and accepted professional practice standards; (6) search, evaluate, and apply up-to-date drug information and pharmacy-related literature to a variety of simple scenarios in simulated settings using established research principles and methods; (7) demonstrate communication skills that enable the provision of team-based, inclusive, culturally safe, person-centred care to diverse populations using contemporary and traditional formats; and (8) demonstrate an autonomous, proactive, and reflective approach to developing ongoing professional competence and expertise in pharmacy practice.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-semester assessments; (2) end of semester assessment; and (3) professional behaviour. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the in-semester assessments and professional behaviour components.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Natalia Popowicz

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

CM039 Bachelor of Human Sciences (Pharmaceutical Health) and Master of Pharmacy

Successful completion of

96 points CM039 Bachelor of Human Sciences (Pharmaceutical Health) and Master of Pharmacy

Approved quota: 100—nA

Contact hours

Approximately 24 hours per week, including, lectures 11-16 hrs, clinical skills workshops, simulated tutorials and labs 8-10 hrs.