State-of-the-art science meets the art of soft skills: Monash’s new Master of Pharmaceutical Science
Monash’s new Master of Pharmaceutical Science welcomed its first student intake in 2022 and is already exceeding expectations.
“It's possible to go away and read a book on pharmaceutical science,” says Dr Tony Hughes, Course Director for Monash’s new Master of Pharmaceutical Science. “In principle, you could do all the learning yourself. But what would you miss out on?”
The answer is: a lot. Working in teams with colleagues from around the world, learning from authentic assessment tasks, and engaging with researchers in the world’s top pharmaceutical science research institute, to name a few. These are all benefits offered through Monash’s new Master of Pharmaceutical Science, which welcomed its first intake in 2022.
A new postgrad degree from the world #1 in pharmacy and pharmacology
The first MPharmSci cohort in February 2022.
Monash’s new MPharmSci gives students comprehensive pharmaceutical science knowledge, encompassing the drug discovery and development process, and offers practical skills and experience. It’s aimed at creating graduates who can step straight into the workforce and make an impact across the pharmaceutical sector.
Over the course of the degree, students will do a variety of authentic, career-relevant tasks, including shadowing a PhD student, creating their own mRNA vaccine and undertaking a semester-long placement in the pharmaceutical science industry or a research lab.
Standing out from the pack
Monash’s MPharmSci places a strong emphasis on the skills that go into making a good pharmaceutical scientist beyond their knowledge of the discipline. Teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills all feature heavily.
“Getting the students to understand what it means to work in a team is an important focus,” says Hughes.
For students accustomed to being individually assessed or learning mostly online thanks to the pandemic, Hughes says grappling with teamwork can be a challenge. But when they master it, he says, it’s a turning point in their learning. Many students agree.
“The course not only provides theoretical knowledge on pharmaceuticals, but it is also helping me develop the soft skills which I believe are important in any future profession,” says student Chaturi Katugampola.
Authentic assessments are another hallmark of the new degree. Students are given a scenario that mimics what they might encounter in a real-life professional situation and are then called upon to use their knowledge and skills to solve a problem.
“The focus on communication skills is where this course excels compared to other schooling I've done in the past,” says student Sam Wade. “The ability to discuss what you've learnt and learn new skills from scratch in the same way you'd expect to do in a career is very valuable.”
Monash’s Parkville campus lends the new course an extra edge.
“Around us is the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS). Students have access to all the resources that this brings,” says Hughes. “So, while they're doing a coursework degree, they're doing it in a pharmaceutical science research environment.”
And it seems the setting is rubbing off on the students.
“I have gained substantial motivation by engaging in a professional environment at Monash and being surrounded by a plethora of passionate and influential scientists,” says student Cam Sinh Lu.
Warm welcome from students and industry
The first MPharmSci cohort at orientation in 2022.
The new course has attracted a diverse group of students who have come from near and far to be part of Monash’s first MPharmSci cohort. This year’s students hail from countries as varied as Jordan, Vietnam, China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the United States, alongside local students from Australia.
Hughes says he and his colleagues have been “blown away” by the level of interest in the course. They anticipated 20 students in the first semester, but received 50. Based on the high level of interest, he expects next year’s cohort will be larger still.
“For the first two intakes of a new master's program at Monash, those numbers are high. Most other masters by coursework programs start smaller than this,” says Hughes.
Prospective students are not the only ones excited about the course. Monash’s reputation for pharmaceutical science has the industry eagerly anticipating what graduates will bring to the table.
“Our BPharmSci students are already highly regarded in the industry,” says Hughes.
The future is bright
The MPharmSci degree is squarely aimed at creating graduates who are job ready. Graduates will be “ready to take their pharmaceutical science knowledge and apply it to the real problems they'll face day to day at work,” says Hughes. Alternatively, if they want to pursue an academic career, MPharmSci graduates will be on the starting grid for a PhD.
Some students are undertaking the new degree with a firm idea of their future path. Current student Chaturi Katugampola hopes to join a pharmaceutical manufacturing company after graduation, while Cam Sinh Lu plans to study for a PhD. For others, the course itself is helping shape future ambitions.
“We have a longer placement semester coming up next year, so I'm planning on picking an industry placement so I can make an informed decision,” Sam Wade says.
As Professor Arthur Christopoulos, Dean of the Faculty said when announcing the new master degree in 2021, pharmaceuticals is a growth sector.
“If recent events have shown us anything, it’s that Australia urgently needs to build its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity. This is not just a public health imperative – it’s an economic one,” Professor Christopoulos said.
This situation bodes well for MPharmSci graduates, who will be job-ready for an exciting range of potential future careers.
