Introduction
- It is widely acknowledged
that there is a worldwide shortage of pharmaceutical scientists
and biotechnology graduates.
- There has also
been a shortage of pharmacists for a number of years in many countries,
including Australia, resulting in difficulties for pharmaceutical
companies attempting to recruit pharmacy graduates to a range
of positions from research to marketing.
- This course will
provide graduates with the skills required for the international
biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industry.
- It is expected
that graduates may be employed in a variety of areas within the
biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industries - in the manufacturing,
research, quality control and marketing of pharmaceuticals. Other
organisations and institutions where employment could be expected
include medical research institutes, hospitals and associated
biomedical research laboratories, universities, government research
laboratories, and government regulatory agencies.
- There is continuing
demand for suitably qualified graduates for jobs in health and
pharmaceutical industry, especially regulatory affairs.
- Pharmacy graduates,
who would be suitable for these positions, tend to practice pharmacy
instead, and many Science graduates lack the appropriate education.
The
benefits of this course?
To equip
non-pharmacy graduate students with the fundamental knowledge and
skills to enhance career opportunities within the pharmaceutical
or biotechnology industries, academic pharmaceutical research, or
pharmaceutical regulatory organisations.
- Knowledge:
Graduates
will have an in-depth knowledge of the pharmaceutical sciences.
The course will promote the application of that knowledge to practical
issues via case studies and problem-solving exercises, and the
research component. Learning will occur both independently and
cooperatively in-group discussions. They will be acutely aware
of the need for life-long learning in a dynamic field such as
the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sciences. The mix of
a variety of coursework units and the research component, and
accompanying assessment procedures (written and practical examinations,
research thesis) will develop a wide range of academic skills.
- Communication:
Graduates will have demonstrated effective oral, written, numerical
and graphic communication skills. They will have delivered many
presentations to their peers and lecturers during the completion
of the course. They will have extensively utilised information
technology to source, interpret and present relevant information.
Through case studies, problem-solving exercises, and group presentations,
they will have learnt to listen to and evaluate the views of others.
- Problem
solving skills:
The units in the course emphasise the development and use of problem-solving
skills, and the application of information literacy skills in
finding acquiring, evaluating, and managing relevant information
in a range of media. This is facilitated by case studies, literature
evaluation exercises and problem-solving exercises, and the research
component. Group exercises and discussions will demonstrate the
need to work effectively with others.
- Global perspective:
The course will provide an introduction to the international
pharmaceutical industry, including such issues as the global marketing
of pharmaceuticals, equity in access to pharmaceuticals, and ethical
issues in the development and marketing of pharmaceuticals, and
attention to orphan drugs and diseases etc.
Entry
to the Course
Non-pharmacy
graduates who wish to gain skills and qualifications in the pharmaceutical
sciences, with a minimum of a science-based Bachelor's degree of
the University of Tasmania or of another university or tertiary
institution which is deemed equivalent.
Graduates of this
course may progress to Masters or PhD candidature. In certain circumstances,
graduates of the GradDipPharmSc course may be eligible, with approval
from the Head of School, to complete a Research Thesis
weighted at 50% and take out the Master of Pharmaceutical Science M7E.
The award of the Graduate
Diploma of Pharmaceutical Science will not qualify a person for
registration as a pharmacist.
Course
Structure
Course
schedule
One (1) year full-time
or up to two (2) years part-time.
Teaching will be primarily
based on existing pharmacy undergraduate units and consist of lectures,
tutorials, practicals, assignments and a research project. Some
online component will be available initially, however, it is anticipated
that the online content will increase in future years.
Graduates will gain
knowledge in the pharmaceutical sciences, and develop skills in
written and verbal communication in these areas. They will deliver
many presentations to their peers and lecturers during the completion
of the course, and extensively utilised information technology.
Graduates will experience problem-solving in the pharmaceutical
sciences, and will study the global context of pharmaceuticals.
Social and ethical implications of these studies will be emphasised.
The Rules governing
progress through the course are published annually in the University
Handbook (link above). The School also adheres to the University
policy on plaigarism.
Responsible faculty or school | Tasmanian School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Science
Campus(es) offered | Hobart
Mode of delivery | Full time | Part time
Course duration | 1 year (semesters 1,2,3,4,5)
Costs (course fees only – annual) | HECS: NO [may be eligible for PELS] | Fees | International students
Approximate student-staff contact hours | 22 hrs weekly 26 wks
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