3. Undergraduate degree regulations and policies

Resolutions of the Senate

Undergraduate resolutions

 

Bachelor of Pharmacy

 
1.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Pharmacy
1.1
To qualify for the pass degree of the Bachelor of Pharmacy candidates must:
1.1.1
complete successfully units of study giving credit for a total of 192 credit points; and
1.1.2
satisfy the requirements of all relevant By-laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
 
2.
Specialisations, Streams or Majors
2.1
The following majors will be awarded in the Bachelor of Pharmacy:
2.1.1
Rural
2.1.2
Industrial
2.1.3
International
 
3.
Requirements for the honours degree (where honours is an option)
3.1
To qualify for the award of the honours degree candidates must complete the honours requirements published in the Faculty Resolutions relating to the course.

Resolutions of the Faculty

Undergraduate resolutions

 

Bachelor of Pharmacy

 
1.
Admission
1.1
Admissions to the BPharm course is based on:
1.1.1
Results of a Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT)
1.1.2
NSW HSC Universities Admissions Index (UAI) or equivalent, or a tertiary studies record.
1.2
Under the Faculty of Pharmacy Rural Students Entry Scheme a number of places have been set aside for entry to the Bachelor of Pharmacy program for prospective rural students who meet the selection criteria approved by the Academic Board, as set out below. Details of the application process are available from the Faculty.
1.3
Criteria for Admission to the BPharm under the Faculty of Pharmacy Rural Students Entry Scheme.
1.3.1
Current NSW HSC or interstate equivalent applicants may be offered a place under the Faculty of Pharmacy Rural Students Entry Scheme if they meet all the criteria set out below:
1.3.1.1
The applicant's UAI is not more than five points below the UAC main round cut off mark for the year of entry.
1.3.1.2
Applicants must have completed at least the last four years of secondary education at a rural school (the definition of "rural" is detailed below).
1.3.1.3
Applicants must have had a permanent home address in a rural area for a significant period (at least four years) at any time prior to their application (the definition of "rural" is detailed below).
1.3.1.4
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in a rural health setting. (This may include an exceptional record of involvement and achievement in community affairs at school or local community level in a rural environment).
1.3.1.5
Applicants are not eligible for a place under this Scheme if they have completed one full-time year (or part-time equivalent) of tertiary study. (Tertiary study refers to Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelors Degree or higher qualification recognised by the University of Sydney).
1.3.1.6
Applicants are not eligible for a place under this Scheme if they accept an offer under any other Access and Equity Program offered by the University.
1.3.2
Applicants must satisfy the Special Tertiary Admissions Test criterion outlined above.
 
0.
Definition of 'rural'
0.
The basis for the definition of "rural" will be the area encompassing the rural NSW Area Health Service regions, as announced by the NSW Department of Health on 16 March 1966, or the equivalent definition of rural applicable to other states. Basically, all of New South Wales is considered rural with the exception of Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and their surrounding areas. In other states, similar definitions will apply.
 
2.
Units of study
2.1
The units of study for the degree are as set out in the Faculty of Pharmacy Handbook.
 
3.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Pharmacy
3.1
To qualify for the award of Pass degree students must:
3.1.1
gain a minimum of 192 credit points by successfully completing all first year, second year, third year and fourth year units of study;
3.1.2
satisfy the requirements of all other relevant By-Laws, Rules and Resolutions of the University.
 
4.
Requirements for the Honours degree
4.1
The degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy shall be awarded in two grades, namely, Pass and Honours.
4.2
Except with the permission of the Faculty, candidates of more than four years standing in the degree shall not be awarded the degree with honours.
4.3
Except with the permission of the Faculty, Honours will not normally be awarded to any student with a grade of F or AF in any unit of study.
4.4
Honours students can progress to Second Semester Advanced only if they obtain a credit average in their first semester marks. Students who fail this requirement will go back to the Pass stream, Fourth Year Second Semester.
4.5
In order to be considered for the award of the University Medal, a student must obtain a WAM of 85 or greater over the entire degree, and must achieve minimum final honours mark of 90 or greater in two Advanced units of study – Research Methods and Research Project in the same stream. The decision to award a University Medal shall be made by the Faculty Honours Board of Examiners.
4.6
To be eligible for the grade of Honours from 2001, a student must successfully complete two Advanced units of study in the same stream.
4.7
A weighted average mark (WAM) will be calculated for each candidate as an overall measure of performance in the degree.
4.8
The degree will be awarded with the following grades:
4.8.1
First Class Honours: HWAM of 75 or greater with a minimum final honours mark of 85;
4.8.2
Second Class Honours, division I: HWAM of 70–74 with a minimum final honours mark of 80; Second Class Honours, division II: HWAM of 65–69 with a minimum final honours mark of 75;
4.9
HWAM means the Honours weighted average mark calculated by the Faculty from results for all 2000, 3000 and 4000 level units attempted for the degree, weighted 2, 3, 4 for the respective levels. The Advanced (Honours) units of study are given double weighting in this calculation
 
Calculation of HWAM
  (HWAM =) ∑ M x C x L  
∑ C x L
where C = credit value of unit; L = level or weighting of unit; M = mark gained in unit
 
5.
Award of Bachelor of Pharmacy with Major
5.1
Except with the permission of the Faculty, candidates of more than four years standing in the degree shall not be permitted to undertake a unit of study resulting in award of the degree with a major.
5.2
In order to receive the award of Pass Degree with Major students must complete the required unit(s) of study.
5.3
Entry to the prescribed units of study leading to the award of a Major will be on basis of academic merit.
 
6.
Enrolment in more/less than minimum load
6.1
In the first year of attendance candidates, unless granted credit in accordance with section 13, shall enrol in all the First Year units of study listed in Table 1.
6.2
Except with the permission of the Faculty, and subject to the exigencies of the timetable, candidates in subsequent years of attendance shall enrol in the maximum number of prescribed units of study for which they are qualified, provided that they may not take units of study totalling in excess of 54 credit points.
6.3
Students who have attempted or gained credit for all units of study in First and Second Years of the degree may be eligible to apply for prerequisite waiver which would allow enrolment in the full complement of units of study for the following academic year, together with the failed unit, provided they have no prior grade fail.
 
7.
Restrictions on enrolment
7.1
Except with the permission of the Faculty, candidates may not take a Second Year unit of study until they have:
7.1.1
gained credit for at least 24 credit points in First Year units of study; and
7.1.2
completed the First Year units of study, if any, prescribed by the Faculty as qualifying units of study or prerequisites for the Second Year of Study, as set out in Table 1.
7.2
Except with the permission of the Faculty, candidates may not take a Third Year unit of study until they have:
7.2.1
gained credit for at least 18 credit points derived from Second Year units of study; and
7.2.2
completed all the First Year units of study, and all the Second Year units of study, if any, prescribed as qualifying units of study or prerequisites for the Third Year unit of study, as set out in Table 1.
7.3
Except with the permission of the Faculty, candidates may not take a Fourth Year unit of study until they have:
7.3.1
gained credit for at least 18 credit points derived from Third Year units of study; and
7.3.2
completed all the Second Year units of study, and all the Third Year units of study, if any, prescribed by the Faculty as qualifying units of study or prerequisites for the Fourth Year unit of study, as set out in Table 1.
7.4
Candidates may not take a higher unit of study in any subject area without having previously completed the lower unit of study, if any, in the same subject.
7.5
The enrolment of candidates in units of study shall be limited by the exigencies of the timetable.
 
8.
Discontinuation of enrolment
8.1
A candidate must re-enrol each calendar year unless the Faculty has approved suspension of candidature. Candidature lapses if a candidate has not obtained approval for suspension and does not re-enrol. Candidates whose candidature has lapsed must be selected for admission again before they can re-enrol.
8.2
Except with the prior permission of the Faculty, a candidate shall not be granted a suspension of candidature in order to enrol in another course of tetiary study. Candidature shall lapse if a candidate enrols in another course of tertiary study without prior permission of the Faculty.
 
9.
Re-enrolment after an absence
9.1
A student must enrol in the semester following a period of approved absence.
9.2
Failure to re-enrol immediately after an approved suspension of candidature will result in candidature lapsing.
 
10.
Satisfactory progress
10.1
Refer to the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended) and Academic Board policies.
 
11.
Time limit
11.1
Refer to the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended).
 
12.
Assessment policy
12.1
Candidates may be tested by written and oral class examinations, oral examinations, assignments, exercises, essays, or practical work or any combination of these; and
12.1.1
the results of such tests may be taken into account by the Faculty Board of Examiners in determining the final results for a unit of study.
12.2
In all units of study, work of a higher standard than that required for an ordinary pass may be recognised by the award of high distinction, distinction or credit.
12.3
Candidates who have been prevented by duly certified illness or misadventure from sitting for the whole or part of a unit of study assessment may be tested at such times and in such a way as the head of department concerned shall determine.
12.4
Candidates who do not pass in a unit of study shall, unless exempted by the Faculty:
12.4.1
again attend lectures and other classes; and
12.4.2
complete the prescribed written and other work in all such units of study in which they are permitted to re-enrol.
12.5
Candidates who present themselves for re-examination in any unit of study shall not be eligible for any prize or scholarship awarded in connection with such examination.
12.6
With the consent of the Faculty, additional assessment will only be permitted where:
12.6.1
a specific case of special consideration has been approved by the Faculty; or
12.6.2
a student in his or her final year fails a single compulsory assessment resulting in a grade of fail in only that unit of study preventing him or her from completing the degree that year.
 
13.
Credit transfer policy
13.1
Refer to the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (as amended) and Academic Board policies.