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Ministry-approved title: Pharmaceutical Science
Canada’s pharmaceutical sector is seeing continuous job growth and demand in response to our growing and aging population and need graduates trained in the techniques needed for quality control and quality assurance. In this program, students will:
Applicants who are internationally educated in a non‐English speaking country must meet Durham College’s English Language Proficiency Policy.
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905.721.3000
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Pharmaceutical Science involves all aspects of the design, development, manufacturing, administration, and use of finished drug products. In this program, you will develop an understanding of the Canadian pharmaceutical, cannabis and natural health product landscape including manufacturers, distributors and regulatory bodies and the impact of international markets and regulators on Canadian operations.
A strong focus is placed upon understanding Good Lab, Documentation, and Manufacturing Practices and Quality Control and Quality Assurance practices. The expanding fields and opportunities of biotherapeutics, cannabis and natural health products will also be explored.
Students will gain hands-on experience working in our labs following in-house and pharmacopeia methods to assess the safety, identity, strength, purity and quality of raw materials and finished products to prepare you to work in wet chemistry, analytical instrumentation and microbiology labs. Experiments are modelled after real-world applications to mimic industry protocols.
In the final semester, students will apply your knowledge and skills through a 280-hour placement at a pharmaceutical or related organization to launch your career in this exciting industry.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Featuring a 280-hour field placement, this program will set you on the path for a life-changing career that allows you to make a positive impact on the millions of Canadians who rely on the products you will help produce to improve and maintain their health.
Laura Benninger is the coordinator for the Chemical Engineering Technology and Chemical Laboratory Technician programs. She teaches Analytical Techniques, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, Fundamentals of Analytical and Organic Chemistry and Principles of Analytical Chemistry. Laura holds a Master of Science degree in Applied Bioscience from Ontario Tech. Prior to working at Durham College, Laura was a laboratory manager.
Christine Hand holds degrees in Chemistry from the University of Toronto (BSc) and the University of Waterloo (PhD). Before teaching at Durham College, Christine was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the National Research Council and a Field Chemistry Specialist supporting analytical instrumentation clients in Ontario and Western Canada.
A240, Gordon Wiley Building, Oshawa
Our state-of-the-art Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory houses chromatography and spectroscopy instruments where students gain independent, hands-on experience by preparing samples and standards, operating the equipment themselves, and analyzing the resultant data.
A120, Gordon Wiley Building, Oshawa
In our Pharmaceutical Laboratory students perform tests on raw materials, in process samples, and finished products using the techniques and equipment used routinely by pharmaceutical companies during manufacturing.
A213, Gordon Wiley Building, Oshawa
The general chemistry labs are where students learn essential analytical chemistry techniques to support their entry into the workplace.
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