Master of Pharmaceutical Science

The Master of Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Tasmania is a two-year coursework degree for people who want to work in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, in drug regulation, or in research. It picks up where a bachelor degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology or a related science leaves off. You study how medicines are discovered, formulated, tested and brought to market, and you finish with a qualification that sits at the master's level on the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Like most Australian master's degrees, this one runs over four semesters, usually two years full time. You complete units of study worth a set number of credit points each, and you need to pass a required total to graduate. The coursework covers the science behind drug development and the practical side of making and checking medicines. Depending on the units you choose, you might spend time in laboratories, work through quality control and regulatory material, and complete a research project or minor thesis in your final year. The exact unit list is set by the university, so check the official course page for what is on offer in each semester.

Work-integrated learning is part of many pharmaceutical science degrees in Australia, and this one gives you the chance to apply your skills in a real setting. Placements can be in industry, in a hospital or community pharmacy, or in a regulatory or research environment. The skills you build are the ones employers ask for: analytical techniques, formulation and manufacturing principles, quality assurance, and the ability to read and apply the rules that govern medicines in Australia. You also learn to write up research and present it clearly.

This degree suits a few different people. If you already have a science or pharmacy background and want to specialise, it gives you that depth. If you are changing direction and have a strong chemistry or biology base, it can open the door to the pharmaceutical sector. And if you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while you study, and after you finish you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements for international applicants are set out on the university's page, and the Department of Home Affairs has its own English rules for the Student visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 080696M.

• Pharmaceutical scientist, research and development in Australian pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
• Formulation scientist, developing and testing dosage forms, from tablets to injectables.
• Quality control or quality assurance officer, checking that medicines meet standards before they are released.
• Regulatory affairs associate, preparing submissions for the Therapeutic Goods Administration and other regulators.
• Clinical trials assistant or coordinator, supporting trials run by hospitals, contract research organisations and sponsors.
• Manufacturing technician or production scientist, working on the line in pharmaceutical plants.
• Research assistant, in universities, medical research institutes or government laboratories.
• Medical science liaison (with experience), connecting companies with health professionals.

Hiring industries in Australia include pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, contract research, hospital and community pharmacy, food and cosmetic manufacturing, and government health and regulatory bodies.