Course Overview

About This Course

Gain an end-to-end understanding of how pharmaceutical products are designed and developed for large scale production. As the pharmaceutical industry expands in Australia and world-wide, your understanding of the engineering process and other scientific fields involved in drug development and production, will ensure you're well equipped to work across a range of roles. You'll gain a thorough understanding of the principles of chemical engineering and pharmaceutical sciences, allowing you to apply your knowledge to large scale production in the pharmaceutical industry. You'll have the opportunity to design creative solutions through inspiring and sustainable design-and-build projects, as well as taking part in the Engineers Without Borders Challenge — a humanitarian-focused course offered in all RMIT engineering degrees. To ensure you graduate job-ready, you'll also have an opportunity to undertake a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne City Campus, RMIT University, Melbourne VICBundoora Campus, RMIT University, Bundoora VICBundooraMelbourne

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL; or a study score of at least 27 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent studies.
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Maths: General Mathematics, Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or equivalent studies.
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in Chemistry or equivalent studies.
Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.
You may be eligible to receive adjustment factors which include equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments to a maximum of 28 aggregate adjustment points.
Applicants with VET study will be assigned a selection rank based on highest completed qualification: Advanced Diploma: 81, Diploma: 72, Certificate IV: 54.
Applicants with Higher Education study must have satisfactorily completed at least four graded courses (subjects) (0.5 EFTSL) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) multiple choice may be used to satisfy academic requirements in some applicant categories; results are valid for 2 years prior to the commencement of study.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours) / Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, major employment areas are to be found in: the chemical, petroleum, and petrochemical industries; the food industry; water environmental management and pollution control; mineral and metallurgical industries; plastics/polymers; biomaterials and diagnostic agents; pharmaceuticals and vaccines; cosmetics; electricity and gas utilisation; research and development; project design and consulting. Graduates have gone on to work at a range of organisations including: Basell, BP, Cadbury, Cryovac, CSL, CUB, ExxonMobil, Kraft, Moldflow, Rio Tinto.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

APC

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this degree accredited by any professional engineering bodies?

Yes. The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering)(Hons)/ Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences is fully accredited by Engineers Australia, which is a signatory to the Washington Accord, meaning the degree is internationally recognised and graduates can practise as professional engineers in many countries around the world. The program is also accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), the global professional membership organisation for chemical, biochemical and process engineers.

What campuses will I need to attend for this program?

This program is taught predominantly at the City campus. However, students may have to travel to the Bundoora campus for laboratory, WIL (work-integrated learning) and/or capstone project work.

What will I study throughout the five years of this program?

In Year 1, you will complete general science, mathematics, computer aided design, chemistry, biology, and be introduced to chemical engineering and Professional Engineering Practice including the Engineers Without Borders Challenge. Year 2 covers fundamentals of chemical engineering such as mass and energy balances, reaction engineering, heat transfer, biochemistry and microbiology. Year 3 continues core chemical engineering topics in thermodynamics and fluid flow, and introduces pharmacology. In Years 4 and 5, you will focus on environmental, safety and economic analysis, process equipment design, control schemes, drug regulations and testing, and complete a final-year capstone project.

What is the domestic entry score (ATAR) required for this program?

The entry ATAR for this program is 83.55. Entry is competitive, and eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors, up to a maximum of 28 aggregate adjustment points.

Are there opportunities for international study or industry experience during this program?

Yes. RMIT offers a range of opportunities for students to study abroad through overseas work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to undertake a work-integrated learning (industry experience) elective in Year 2, 3 or 4 to help ensure they graduate job-ready.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $70,000 to $90,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $115,000 to $145,000 per year

Career Paths

Graduate Chemical EngineerProcess EngineerProduction EngineerChemical Plant EngineerEnvironmental Engineer

Key Skills

Mass and energy balance analysis for chemical processesChemical process design and optimisationThermodynamics and heat transfer engineeringFluid mechanics and transport phenomenaReaction engineering and catalysis

Full Course Overview

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