Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical engineering) and Pharmaceutical science

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) and Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash University is a double degree that combines large-scale chemical engineering with drug development and pharmaceutical sciences. It is designed for students who want to work at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and pharmaceutical innovation, particularly in drug manufacturing, formulation, and industrial-scale production.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both engineering and pharmaceutical science. Engineering studies include Engineering Mathematics, Chemistry for Engineering, and Introduction to Engineering Practice, while pharmaceutical science begins with Foundations of Pharmaceutical Science and Chemistry for Drug Development. This year focuses on developing core scientific reasoning and understanding how chemicals and medicines are designed and analysed.

Year 2

Year 2 strengthens chemical engineering principles alongside pharmaceutical fundamentals. Engineering subjects such as Material and Energy Balances, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Mechanics are studied alongside pharmaceutical units like Drug Delivery Fundamentals and Biochemistry for Pharmaceutical Science. Students begin understanding how industrial processes relate to medicine production and formulation.

Year 3

At this stage, chemical engineering becomes more advanced with subjects such as Reaction Engineering, Heat and Mass Transfer, and Process Systems Engineering, while pharmaceutical science expands into Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Formulation Design. Students begin integrating engineering systems with drug development and manufacturing processes.

Year 4

Engineering study focuses on advanced topics such as Process Design, Separation Processes, and Engineering Design Projects, while pharmaceutical science includes advanced areas such as Advanced Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutical Analysis. Students engage in complex problem-solving involving both large-scale chemical systems and pharmaceutical applications.

Year 5

The final year combines a major Chemical Engineering Capstone Design Project with advanced pharmaceutical science electives or research-based units. Students graduate with the ability to design industrial chemical processes and contribute to pharmaceutical innovation, drug manufacturing, and biomedical product development.

Focus Areas:

Chemical process engineering, pharmaceutical manufacturing, drug formulation, biotechnology, industrial chemistry, biomedical product development, and sustainable production systems.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop strong expertise in designing chemical processes and pharmaceutical systems, enabling them to work across drug development, manufacturing, and industrial-scale chemical production environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Chemical Engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring international recognition and professional engineering pathway eligibility.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

Monash University is consistently ranked among the world’s leading universities for engineering and pharmaceutical sciences, with strong graduate employability outcomes across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Monash University, this Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Science double degree is built around intensive hands-on learning where you move between engineering laboratories, pharmaceutical science facilities, and industry-linked environments. Students don’t just study how drugs are made and how chemical processes work — they actively design, test, and analyse them using real equipment, professional software, and research-informed teaching. The program strongly integrates experimentation, simulation, and industry engagement so you graduate with both technical engineering skills and pharmaceutical expertise:

Experiential Learning (laboratories, pharmaceutical facilities, software tools, and industry exposure):

Chemical Engineering Laboratories : Practical training in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, and separation processes using pilot-scale equipment that simulates real industrial chemical production.
Pharmaceutical Science Laboratories : Hands-on experience in drug formulation, pharmaceutical analysis, microbiology, and biochemistry, including testing drug stability and delivery systems in controlled lab environments.
Process Simulation Software : Use of engineering tools such as MATLAB and process modelling platforms (Aspen-style systems) for chemical process design, optimisation, and pharmaceutical manufacturing modelling.
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) : Exposure to world-leading pharmaceutical research in drug discovery, formulation science, and advanced drug delivery systems.
Industry-Based Learning (IBL) Program : Paid internship opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturers, biotechnology firms, and healthcare-related industries.
Capstone Engineering & Pharmaceutical Design Projects : Final-year team projects where students design chemical processes or pharmaceutical production systems based on real industry challenges.
Interdisciplinary Group Projects : Collaborative work combining engineering and pharmaceutical science, such as designing scalable drug manufacturing processes or improving drug delivery efficiency.
Monash Engineering Design Studios : Team-based learning environments where students prototype, model, and present engineering solutions in industry-style settings.
Monash Library & Digital Scientific Resources : Access to pharmaceutical databases, engineering journals, simulation tools, and research platforms supporting both disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) and Pharmaceutical Science at Monash University are well prepared for careers in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, chemical process industries, and healthcare innovation. This combination of engineering and pharmaceutical expertise opens pathways into roles such as Process Engineer (Pharmaceutical), Drug Manufacturing Engineer, R&D Engineer, and Bioprocess Engineer, where technical engineering meets medical and life-science innovation.

Career progression & industry outcomes:

Monash employability services: Students access Monash Talent & Career Services, which provides personalised career coaching, employer networking events, internship placement support, resume development, and technical interview preparation tailored to engineering and pharmaceutical science students.
Employment outcomes & salary outlook: Monash graduates consistently achieve strong full-time employment outcomes in national surveys, with engineering and pharmaceutical science graduates typically entering well-paid roles across pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, healthcare manufacturing, and advanced materials industries.
Industry partnerships & real-world exposure: The program is strongly supported by Monash’s Industry-Based Learning (IBL) program and partnerships with leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and engineering organisations, providing structured internships and real-world project experience.
Professional accreditation value: The Chemical Engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring international recognition and eligibility for professional engineering pathways and global mobility.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates develop integrated expertise in chemical process engineering and pharmaceutical systems, enabling them to contribute to drug development, large-scale medicine production, and innovation in healthcare technologies.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, students can pursue postgraduate pathways such as a Master of Advanced Engineering, Master of Pharmaceutical Science, Master of Biotechnology, Master of Engineering Science, or research degrees (MPhil/PhD). These pathways allow further specialisation in pharmaceutical innovation, drug delivery systems, bioprocess engineering, and advanced chemical engineering research.