Bachelor

Bachelor of Pharmacy

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) is a five-year undergraduate degree preparing graduates for professional practice in pharmacy — in hospitals, community pharmacies, the pharmaceutical industry, and public health settings across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific. Year 1 is the Science Foundation Year; Years 2 to 5 provide intensive study in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacy practice.

The curriculum covers pharmaceutics, biochemistry, physiology, drug delivery systems, pharmacognosy, quality assurance, phytochemical methods, clinical pharmacy, and public health pharmacy. Year 5 culminates in hospital and community pharmacy practice placements alongside a capstone pharmacy project, ensuring graduates are practice-ready for the PNG pharmaceutical sector.

Entry Requirements

Applicants for the Bachelor of Pharmacy must meet the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of the Science Foundation Year at UPNG or an equivalent institution.
  • Passes in Chemistry and Biology at Science Foundation level.
  • Achieve the University's minimum matriculation GPA.
  • Applicants with relevant health sciences qualifications may be considered for advanced standing subject to School approval.

Career Opportunities

Bachelor of Pharmacy graduates work in a wide range of settings across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific:

  • Hospital pharmacies and area medical stores
  • Community and retail pharmacies
  • Industrial pharmacies and the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry (manufacturing and quality control)
  • Running their own pharmacy business
  • Teaching and research at university level

Note: a graduate may first become a pharmacy technician through the 3-year Diploma in Pharmacy, and top performers can go on to study for a further two years to obtain the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm).

Course Structure

Year 2

Semester 1

  • 2.24901Pharmaceutics
  • 2.24902Biochemistry & Molecular Biology I
  • 2.24903Physiology I
  • 2.24910Pharmaceutical Practice

Semester 2

  • 2.24907Biochemistry & Molecular Biology II
  • 2.24908Physiology II
  • 2.24905Heterocyclic Chemistry
  • 2.24906Pharmacy Management
  • 2.24909Drug Abuse & Misuse (elective)

Year 3

Semester 1

  • 2.34902Pharmacology I
  • 2.34903Pharmaceutical Microbiology I
  • 2.34909Pharmacy Dispensing Practice
  • 2.34905Medicinal Chemistry

Semester 2

  • 2.34901Drug Delivery Systems
  • 2.34907Pharmacology II
  • 2.34906Pharmaceutical Microbiology II
  • 2.34910Spectroscopy & Identification of Drug Molecules

Year 4

Semester 1

  • 2.44901Physical Pharmacy
  • 2.44902Pharmacognosy
  • 2.44904Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
  • 2.44908Pharmaceutical Stereochemistry

Semester 2

  • 2.44909Pharmacy Research & Biostatistics
  • 2.44905Pharmacokinetics
  • 2.44906Phytochemical Methods & Traditional Medicine
  • 2.44907Chemotherapy

Year 5

Semester 1

  • 2.54902Clinical Pharmacy I
  • 2.54910Hospital Pharmacy Practice
  • 2.54904Pharmacy Project
  • 2.54908Public Health Pharmacy

Semester 2

  • 2.54909Industrial Pharmacy
  • 2.54907Clinical Pharmacy II
  • 2.54911Community Pharmacy Practice
  • 2.54904Pharmacy Project

Course codes shown are indicative. Please contact the School directly for official course codes and credit information.