The Origins of Pharmacy: The Hunt for New Drugs

By helping people suffering from serious diseases, finding new drugs has often improved the well-being of society. Since this story is unfamiliar to many people, this unique course explores the fascinating historical, scientific and human dimensions of the "drug discovery" sector. PHCYM001 explores six classic ways that medicines were discovered for use in treating human diseases. It also considers how new drugs are tested for safety and effectiveness before use in humans.

Using an accessible mode of delivery, PHCYM001 conveys valuable knowledge to students planning future university studies in many fields.

Upon successful completion of this micro-credential, you'll receive:

• Two PD Points
• A Certificate of Achievement
• A UWA Plus Professional Development Transcript, listing all successfully completed micro-credentials

Delivery mode

Online

Course date

15 July 2024 - 23 September 2024

Duration

9 weeks

Applications close

14 June 2024

Total effort

55 hours

Academic lead

Associate Professor Philip Burcham

Cost

UWA Starter fees –

$247.50 (inc GST) per micro-credential for students from participating partner schools

$55 (inc GST) per micro-credential for students from participating UWA Broadway Schools

$495 (inc GST) per micro-credential for students from non-partner schools

Critical information summary

The Origins of Pharmacy: The Hunt for New Drugs [PDF 245KB]

Why study this course?

This micro-credential will be of value for students who wish to pursue future study options in such diverse fields as pharmacy, medical research, nursing, medicine, dentistry, podiatry, occupational health, optometry, chemistry, biotechnology, law and commerce.

PHCYM001 will also assist students who are unsure of their future study goals. By providing a “tasting sample” of modern biomedical knowledge, this micro-credential will help students clarify their future study and career directions.

Transitioning to university presents challenges to students starting studies in the health and medical sciences as these fields can involve unfamiliar terms and concepts to which they had little exposure in high school. This micro-course is intended to soften this transition for Yr 11-12 students who are considering future careers in pharmacy, medical research, nursing, medicine, dentistry, chemistry, biotechnology.
PHCYM001 will also benefit students intending to work in related allied health fields such as podiatry, occupational health and optometry.
Students wishing to pursue careers in law or commerce will also find PHCYM001 helpful since familiarity with basic terms and concepts used in the pharmaceuticals and biotechnology innovation sector will facilitate work in patenting and intellectual property and related fields.

How does it work?

54 hours total learning - including:

• Online learning modules: 24 hours
• Personal study and preparation: 10 hours
• Practical application: 10 hours
• Assessment: 10 hours

What's next after this course?

• Receive a UWA Professional Development Transcript at the end of your studies, listing all completed UWA micro-credentials – great for uni entry and your resume!
• Earn 2  stackable  PD Points -  complete two more UWA Starter micro-credentials to earn 6 PD Points and gain credit for one unit towards selected UWA bachelor degrees.
• Gain points that can contribute towards admission to UWA via Experience-based entry.

PHCYM001 will be useful to students seeking to pursue the following undergraduate courses at UWA:

• Bachelor of Biomedical Science
• Bachelor of Human Sciences
• Bachelor of Molecular Sciences
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Each of these degrees offer many majors that build upon concepts introduced in PHCYM001. These programs lead to a wide range of postgraduate options including research-focussed programs as well as many professional practice pathways leading to careers in audiology, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, podiatry and optometry.