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Study Pharmaceutical Science at Otago

Contribute to the discovery and development of new medicines and therapies.

Otago’s unique lab-based pharmaceutical science degree opens doors to the diverse and rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry and health-related research careers.

If you are interested in science and technology and have a passion for medicines that prevent and treat disease in plants, animals and humans, this degree is for you. Areas of study include medicinal chemistry, microbiology, pathology, formulation science, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and more. You will also gain key practical skills for your future career.

Gain a world-class pharmaceutical science degree with a unique Aotearoa New Zealand perspective. The Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science incorporates rongoā Māori to give you training that’s only available at Otago.

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Why study Pharmaceutical Science?

Otago's new three-year BPharmSc is the only degree of its type in Aotearoa New Zealand. It offers a curriculum that is responsive to industry needs and intertwines rongoā Māori to help understand medicines beyond western practices. Otago's School of Pharmacy is ranked in the top 100 pharmacy schools globally (2019 QS ranking), and the BPharmSc is taught by industry experts and academics.

As a pharmaceutical science student at Otago, you will benefit from small class sizes, personalised instruction, and a modern student-centred curriculum. You will have access to a state-of-the-art laboratory, an interprofessional learning environment, and a supportive student culture.

Second and third-year papers are taught via lectures, laboratory classes and tutorials, and incorporate contemporary student- centred learning, including interactive workshop sessions.

Career opportunities

Otago produces independent, innovative and career-ready graduates. With a degree in pharmaceutical science, you will be qualified to take on many professional roles, including:

  • Scientist researching and developing new drugs and medicines
  • Formulation scientist in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutics and agrichemical industries
  • Regulatory affairs officer evaluating medicines for government agencies and companies
  • Border control agent conducting identification and analysis of drugs
  • Clinical trials associate testing the safety and efficacy of medicines
  • Marketing and sales of medicines for human, veterinary and agricultural use
  • Quality control chemist testing to ensure high-quality medicines are produced
  • Patent attorney advising on intellectual property and patent law.

Pharmaceutical Science at Otago

Degree structure

The first year has a similar structure to the Otago Health Sciences First Year programme. It consists of papers in general chemistry, biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and physics, with an optional seventh paper.

In the second year, you will learn foundational knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical chemistry, formulation principles, and principles of disease.

In third year, you will begin to apply your knowledge to contemporary challenges in chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, natural products and medicines, rongoā Māori, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug delivery and topics in the pharmaceutical industry.

The degree's flexibility allows you to fine-tune your study to your interests and career aspirations with room for two additional second and third-year papers offered by other departments at the University of Otago.

BPharmSc graduates are encouraged to do an honours degree to begin their journey into postgraduate research and a PhD.

Pharmaceutical science qualification

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages:

Background required

There are no secondary school subject requirements for entry into the first year at Otago, but we strongly recommend you take chemistry, biology and maths.

All applicants seeking admission to the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science programme must have completed 108 points in Health Sciences First Year at the University of Otago (or equivalent) and a further 18 100-level points.

Requirements

PSCI papers

Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
PSCI201 2024, 2025 Pharmaceutical Chemistry 18 points Semester 1
PSCI202 2024, 2025 Medicines and Disease 18 points Semester 2
PSCI203 2024, 2025 Formulation Principles I 18 points Semester 1
PSCI204 2024, 2025 Formulation Principles II 18 points Semester 2
PSCI301 2024, 2025 Chemical Biology 18 points Semester 2
PSCI302 2024, 2025 Medicinal Chemistry 18 points Semester 1
PSCI303 2024, 2025 Natural Products and Medicines 18 points Semester 1
PSCI304 2024, 2025 Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics 18 points Semester 2
PSCI305 2024, 2025 Drug Delivery 18 points Semester 2
PSCI306 2024, 2025 Topics in Pharmaceutical Industry 18 points Not offered in 2024, expected to be offered in 2026, Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026

More information

Contact us

School of Pharmacy
Tel +64 3 479 7271
Email pharmsci@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/pharmacy

Studying at Otago

This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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