Media Release
July 25 2007
A degree of discovery in pharmaceutical science
If
you’ve ever had an ambition to make a difference in the world of
medicine, to be part of a breakthrough moment, discover something that
improves our health or even saves lives, then UniSA’s new degree, the
Bachelor of
Pharmaceutical Science, is an excellent start.
The new program has been designed to give graduates real flexibility in their career development and program director Dr Andrew Davey says it will prepare them for a career on an international scale.
“You don’t absolutely need chemistry as a prerequisite for this program because its focus is different from a straight pharmacy degree, although it does require Stage two Physics, Biology or Chemistry,” Davey says.
“We expect graduates of the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science will have options to work in a range of settings from biotech companies, right through to hospitals, contract research organisations, government agencies, and multinational pharmaceutical companies.
“We have consulted widely with industry and have developed a program that prepares graduates for a range of careers in the pharmaceutical industry and in the pharmaceutical research and development field or in other employment settings such as academia.”
Davey says the area is one where qualified professionals are increasingly in high demand around the world and locally there are about 80 biotechnology companies and about 300 pharmaceutical firms Australia-wide all looking to employ people with the right knowledge and skills base.
Senior Director, Global Commercial Development for Actavis, Josephine Dundon, says industry welcomes the new degree program.
“There is a real demand for professionals who have the capacity to work across a range of areas in the pharmaceutical industry and to have a broad understanding of the industry as a whole – from the scientific research right through to product and business development and marketing,” Dundon says.
"There are over half a million people working in the pharmaceutical and related industries worldwide, more than 60 per cent of whom need professional degrees, and the challenge to develop new drugs and bring them to the patients in need requires many different skills, both scientific and business related. It is very exciting to see a degree course which offers training across a range of those required skills."
Davey says the degree has been designed to maximize breadth and flexibility. It offers core subjects and a solid foundation in scientific theory and pharmaceutical practice and diverse electives that encourage understanding beyond the laboratory.
“If a student wants to specialise – say in biomedical sciences or pharmaceutical chemistry they can choose an elective with that focus and similarly there are opportunities to gain skills in the product development, business and marketing side of the industry.”
The new degree is a three-year full time program.
Contact for interview
-
Dr Andrew Davey office (08) 8302 1127 email andrew.davey@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au