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.
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:
- Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science (BPharmSc)
Recommended background
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.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
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Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Related subject areas
Explore all subject areasProgramme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | BIOC 192 Foundations of Biochemistry | 18 |
| CELS 191 Cell and Molecular Biology | 18 | |
| CHEM 191 The Chemical Basis of Biology and Human Health | 18 | |
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 | 18 | |
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 | 18 | |
| PHSI 191 Biological Physics | 18 | |
| 200-level | PSCI 201 Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 18 |
| PSCI 202 Medicines and Disease | 18 | |
| PSCI 203 Formulation Principles 1 | 18 | |
| PSCI 204 Formulation Principles 2 | 18 | |
| 300-level | Four of: PSCI 301 Chemical Biology PSCI 302 Medicinal Chemistry PSCI 303 Natural Products and Medicines PSCI 304 Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics PSCI 305 Drug Delivery PSCI 306 Topics in Pharmaceutical Industry | 72 |
| Plus | 108 further points of which 36 must be at 200-level or above. | 108 |
| Note: Students should check the prerequisites for each paper. | ||
| Total | 360 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PSCI papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSCI201 | 2025 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PSCI202 | 2025 | Medicines and Disease | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PSCI203 | 2025 | Formulation Principles I | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PSCI204 | 2025 | Formulation Principles II | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PSCI301 | 2025 | Chemical Biology | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PSCI302 | 2025 | Medicinal Chemistry | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PSCI303 | 2025 | Natural Products and Medicines | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PSCI304 | 2025 | Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PSCI305 | 2025 | Drug Delivery | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PSCI306 | 2025 | Topics in Pharmaceutical Industry | 18 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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