Programme Overview

The Master of Pharmacy (Public Health) programme offers an interdisciplinary approach that integrates knowledge in public health, pharmacy, epidemiology, and health policy. The goal of this program is to equip students with skills to assess the impact of medications on health outcomes, focusing on effectiveness, safety, and accessibility. Students will engage in practical learning experiences and have the opportunity to contribute to the development of health policies that support equity in healthcare. With the opportunities to engage in research and explore various careers in public health administration, pharmaceutical policy, and community health, this programme prepares graduates to face complex public health challenges.

Course Structure

The Master of Pharmacy (Public Health) programme begins in September/October, at the commencement of the University's academic year. It is divided into two components, coursework and research activities. The assessment depends upon both the coursework and dissertation (research work). The coursework component comprises 20 units (6 courses) and will be conducted in the first semester. Research work (20 units) will be conducted in the second and third semesters.

Full Time

Part Time

Year 1

Year 2

Course Description

FPH501.3 Public Health

This course aims to build students 'ability in understanding the concept of disease prevention and health promotion in terms of public health practice, as well as develop students' skills in identifying the determinants and measures of diseases related to public health at the global and national levels.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Assess the critical understanding on the key principles in public health (C5, PLO1)
2. Demonstrate effective communication and personal skills by implementing a public health project with relevant information from various sources. (A3, PLO5)
3. Evaluate the principles of public health to address public health challenges from the perspective of a pharmacist based on appropriate sources of data and evidence in public health (C5, PLO2)

FPH502.4 Health Management and Pharmacoeconomics

This course will introduce theories and principles applicable to healthcare management and pharmacoeconomics. Students will learn about different types of economic evaluation and gain an overview of key aspects of healthcare management.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Analyse economic concepts and principles related to healthcare management (C4, PLO1)
2. Explain public healthcare policy through the economic evaluation methods (A4, PLO10)
3. Recommend the appropriate solution to solve health issues by applying the healthcare management knowledge (C5, PLO2)

FPH503.3 Health System Research and Health Policy

This course provides knowledge about the concept of health systems research, including its characteristics, elements, frameworks and challenges. Students are exposed to various methods of health system research and policy. The course also requires students to prepare innovative research papers and high-quality, critical health system policy frameworks.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate the overview of the field of health systems research and frameworks for understanding health policy and health systems (C3, PLO1)
2. Assess health system and health policy issues systematically using the knowledge on discipline scientific methods (C5, PLO2)
3. Propose solutions to health system research and health policy issues using key references to encourage critical and creative thinking (A5, PLO9)

FPH504.4 Pharmacovigilance and Pharmacoepidemiology

The course aims to introduce the students to the basic understanding of pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology. It will also equip the students to understand various techniques, tools involved in data handling, data calculation, analysis, risk measurement and public health surveillance, communication regarding pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology in the healthcare industry.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Evaluate key issues related to pharmacovigilance and basic techniques used for data analysis in pharmacoepidemiology (C5, PLO2)
2. Propose solutions to pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology issues using key references to encourage critical and creative thinking (A5, PLO9)
3. Demonstrate ethical conduct of research and professionalism in presenting the information obtained from the assignment (A3, PLO11)

FPH506.3 Sociology of Health & Illness

This course introduces students to the field of sociology of health and illness. This course comprises topics pertinent to the social organization and construction of health, illness and medicine. It addresses common issues in medical sociology, such as health policies, social determinants of health inequalities, illness experience, medical assistance, medical professions and various contemporary issues in the medical system.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Apply the understanding of social theories, approaches and structure associated with health and illness issues (C3, PLO2)
2. Analyze social, economic and cultural conditions associated with health and illness issues and illness outcomes (C4, PLO2)
3. Evaluate the roles of health care practitioners and the institutional context of health care delivery (C5, PLO2)
4. Design solutions from sociological perspective(s) to a range of medical care issues (C6, PLO2)

TRX500.3 Research Methodology in Medicine and Health Sciences

This course aims to provide an introduction to research methodologies in planning, conducting and analysing research data in medicine and health science, and its reporting and publication. This course will equip the student with the core research and key transferable skills to assist the Master and PhD by research mode studies.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Develop research proposal through critical thinking skills in the field of health and medical sciences. (C5, PLO2)
2. Utilize diverse digital technologies to evaluate and enhance the understanding of taught topics. (C3, PLO6)
3. Demonstrate the ability to present and defend research clearly, confidently and effectively. (A4, PLO5)

Dissertation

FPH505.20 Dissertation

This course aims to build students’ skills in planning, designing and conducting public health practice-based research. The main focus is for the students to identify, apply knowledge and acquire skills in implementing research.

Course learning outcomes:

1. Display ability to use appropriate methods, instruments and investigative approach in optimizing research project (P4, PLO3)
2. Integrate analytical analysis and critical thinking skills in solving problems related to research (C6, PLO7)
3. Demonstrate ethical conduct of research and professionalism in performing research independently (A3, PLO11)
4. Display ability to lead and collaborate effectively to fulfill the research objectives (A5, PLO8)
5. Demonstrate competent use of selected digital technology and software to analyse the data of research and present research findings (A3, PLO6)

Candidates are required to possess:

Malaysian

• A BSc (Pharmacy) with CGPA of 2.75/4.00 or above; or
• A BSc (Pharmacy) with CGPA of 2.5 - 2.74/4.00, subject to additional requirements below and approval from the school postgraduate committee and the school board; 
  • Professional experience in related field- 3year; or
  • One (1) academic publications (journals, not proceeding(s)) in related field; or
  • Grade B for major/ elective courses; or
  • Grade B+ in final year project

International

• A BSc (Pharmacy) with CGPA of 3.00/4.00 or equivalent; or
• A BSc (Pharmacy) with CGPA of 2.75 - 2.99/4.00, subject to additional requirements below and approval from the school postgraduate committee and the school board; 
  • Professional experience in related field- 3year; or
  • One (1) academic publications (journals, not proceeding(s)) in related field; or
  • Grade B for major/ elective courses; or
  • Grade B+ in final year project

International candidates are required to undergo interview conducted by the school.

(Applicable for International Applicants Only)

• A minimum score of 70 in Internet- Based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language); or
• A minimum score of Band 6.0 in IELTS (International English Language Testing System); or
• A minimum score of 169 in Cambridge English: Advance (CAE); or
• A minimum score of 169 in Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE); or
• A minimum score of 169 in Linguaskill; or
• A minimum score of 59 in Pearson Test of English (PTE); or
• A minimum score of Band 4 in Malaysian University English Test (MUET); or
• A minimum score of 109 in Certified Intensive English Programme Level (CIEP Level) ELS

Exemption can be considered if:

• English is the candidate's mother tongue or National Language; or
• The candidate graduated from an Institution of Higher Learning in which the medium of instruction is English

• Full-time: Min 12 months / Max 24 months
• Part-time: Min 24 months / Max 48 months

September

*NOT inclusive 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by Government of Malaysia

** Fees are subject to change