Program Overview
Prepare for a career in Canada’s strong pharmaceutical sector, a rewarding field that is seeing continuous job growth and demand in response to our growing and aging population. Help to ensure access to better, safer drugs and consumer products, including in the areas of medical cannabis and health products, by using your training to contribute to the most effective formulations, dosages, and manufacturing processes and the assurance of quality for a wide variety of products.
As a graduate, your knowledge and skills will encompass validation and standardization of formulations, methods and processes, and the ability to conduct experiments following scientific methodology that includes data analysis, proper documentation of observations and analyses, and clear summarizations and recommendations. 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.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or degree in chemistry, life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy or a related field.
- A minimum of two courses must be in chemistry and one of these courses must have a lab component.
- Proof of English language proficiency required.
- For candidates with a diploma or advanced diploma, five years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry or a related field is recommended.
View All Requirements
Tuition
Durham College is awaiting confirmation of the annual tuition fees for this program from the Ministry of College and Universities. The Ministry has yet to release the 2021-2022 Tuition Framework. Until that framework is released, we can only provide an estimated tuition amount.
Domestic students should plan for an annual (2 semester) fee of $3,384.07.
International students should plan for an annual (2 semester) fee of $14,196.07.
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Semester 1 Courses
- Analytical Chemistry
- Analytical Instrumentation
- Microbiology
- Technical Writing for the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Fundamentals of the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Pharmacology
- Good Manufacturing Practices
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Placement
Practical Hands on Experience
Quality Control
Career Options
WHAT YOU COULD BE
- Pharmaceutical technologist
- Quality control technologist
- Production technologist
- Document reviewer
- Instrument technician
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing technologist
- Lab chemist
View all Career Options
Program Details
As a Pharmacuetical Science graduate, you will be able to:
- Evaluate methodologies and perform analysis and purification procedures for chemical compounds and samples in a scientifically relevant and compliant manner.
- Verify that the status of chemical analysis instruments and methods are fit for purpose through validation, qualification, calibration, and troubleshooting.
- Assess and implement quality assurance and quality control systems, including statistical analysis and investigative reports, in accordance with international and industry standards and government regulations.
- Utilize computer and information technologies for the completion, monitoring, and management of chemical laboratory tasks and projects in accordance with government regulations.
- Engage in the development and execution of health and safety practices and initiatives for the chemical laboratory to ensure a compliant and safe environment.
- Promote ethical, sustainable, and continuous improvement practices through the development, application, and analysis of existing processes and procedures.
- Communicate procedures and results through written and oral presentations of technical reports in a scientifically relevant manner.
- Complete laboratory tasks and projects within expected deadlines by collaborating in a professional manner with others and working efficiently in chemical laboratory teams.
- Perform tasks in compliance with governmental agencies’ expectations of each stage of the pharmaceutical life cycle.
- Contribute to collaborative discussions with colleagues regarding the manufacture and analysis of pharmaceutical products, major drug classes, biopharmaceuticals and health products making reference to ingredients, typical pharmacokinetics and human health implications.
- Develop and implement recommendations and corrective actions for safety, accuracy, and efficiency of the manufacture and analysis of pharmaceuticals through the investigation and evaluation of information and data.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate methodologies and perform analysis and purification procedures for chemical compounds
and samples in a scientifically relevant and compliant manner.
- Verify that the status of chemical analysis instruments and methods are fit for purpose through
validation, qualification, calibration, and troubleshooting.
- Assess and implement quality assurance and quality control systems, including statistical analysis
and investigative reports, in accordance with international and industry standards and
government regulations.
- Utilize computer and information technologies for the completion, monitoring, and management of
chemical laboratory tasks and projects in accordance with government regulations.
- Engage in the development and execution of health and safety practices and initiatives for the
chemical laboratory to ensure a compliant and safe environment.
- Promote ethical, sustainable, and continuous improvement practices through the development,
application, and analysis of existing processes and procedures.
- Communicate procedures and results through written and oral presentations of technical reports
in a scientifically relevant manner.
- Complete laboratory tasks and projects within expected deadlines by collaborating in a
professional manner with others and working efficiently in chemical laboratory teams.
- Perform tasks in compliance with governmental agencies’ expectations of each stage of the
pharmaceutical life cycle.
- Contribute to collaborative discussions with colleagues regarding the manufacture and analysis of
pharmaceutical products, major drug classes, biopharmaceuticals and health products making
reference to ingredients, typical pharmacokinetics and human health implications.
- Develop and implement recommendations and corrective actions for safety, accuracy, and
efficiency of the manufacture and analysis of pharmaceuticals through the investigation and
evaluation of information and data.
Admission Requirements
- Diploma or degree in chemistry, life sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy or a related field.
- A minimum of two courses must be in chemistry and one of these courses must have a lab component.
- Proof of English language proficiency required.
- For candidates with a diploma or advanced diploma, five years of experience working in the pharmaceutical industry or a related field is recommended.
Courses
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 MyCampus.
Semester 1
- Analytical Chemistry
- Analytical Instrumentation
- Microbiology
- Technical Writing for the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Fundamentals of the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Pharmacology
- Good Manufacturing Practices
Semester 2
- Chromatography
- Spectroscopy
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Advanced Pharmaceutics
- Biopharmaceuticals, Cannabis and Natural Health Products
- Pharmaceutical Quality Control and Quality Assurance
Semester 3
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change. Please note that as a result of COVID-19 the 2020-21 program of study may be modified to accommodate program delivery changes. Students should refer to their timetable for the most up-to-date course information.
Costs
Durham College is awaiting confirmation of the annual tuition fees for this program from the Ministry of College and Universities. The Ministry has yet to release the 2021-2022 Tuition Framework. Until that framework is released, we can only provide an estimated tuition amount.
- Domestic students should plan for an annual (2 semester) fee of $3,384.07
- International students should plan for an annual (2 semester) fee of $14,196.07
Career Options
WHAT YOU COULD BE
- Pharmaceutical technologist
- Quality control technologist
- Production technologist
- Document reviewer
- Instrument technician
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing technologist
- Lab chemist
WHERE YOU COULD WORK
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Cannabis industry
- Health products industry
- Food and beverage companies
- Agriculture industry
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Regulatory agencies
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