Pharmaceutical Science....or?

[nisha]

Ok, I have absolutely no bloody clue what I want to do with my life. At the start of the year I was thinking Dentistry, but I kind of cbf with all the years at university. Plus, I'm not smart enough to get in, and I have currry parents that dont want me to leave the state. I was thinking after that, maybe Bachelor of Science? But thats too broad and from the advice given by many, its just like giving your money to the university and getting nothing in return. Next, I've been thinking Arts/Science, but dismissed that idea for a similiar reason as well as it has no direct career pathway. Next, I was thinking Pharmacy, but after working at a Pharmacy the general word from all of them was:Don't jump into a sinking ship. Its crap pay, and the job is boring as.
And now I'm thinking of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash.
What does it involve? I dont really know how to translate the mumbo-jumbo advertising optimism that the universities give out in their guides.
Or maybe even Chemical Engineering? What does that involve?

All I know is: I want a career with something to do with Chemistry. I love the subject, and even when I am sick, I'll just sit down and do some exam questions to make me feel better. I know I cannot work in a lab, because I would get bored too easily and am not at all a patient person. I basically need to do something that is changing all the time.I dont much care for the pay, but I'm hoping its relatively decent.

I'm tossing up between Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, but I have no idea. I just know that I want a very in-depth knowledge in everything about chemistry.

As a side note: I do tutor some students on the side, so I have considered teaching as well. So far, I have 4 years experience, but I just don't know.
Any ideas?

[Tomw2]

Hi Nisha.

Purely throwing ideas around, but have you considered something like Geology with petrochemistry/metallurgy/hydrology etc thrown in?

I was also going to recommend chemical engineering (esp considering there are some excellent opportunities available to women in engineering) - but you indicated you are not keen on long years of study.

My understanding of pharmaceutical and formulation science anywhere is that it is no different to going into any area of R&D - ie, honours + masters/PhD is a standard. Otherwise, it is limited. This may be exactly what you are after, however like many other areas it does not have a clearly delineated vocational outcome (like professional degrees do).


edit: added paragraph

[nisha]

Hi Nisha.

Purely throwing ideas around, but have you considered something Geology with petrochemistry/metallurgy/hydrology etc thrown in?

I was also going to recommend chemical engineering (esp considering there are some excellent opportunities available to women in engineering) - but you indicated you are not keen on long years of study.

I just don't know. I really like Organic chemistry and Biology/Chemistry we did in Unit 3 Chem.
Chemical Engineering? How many years is that? What do you have to do, like what does the job involve?
I guess, if I love the area of chem that is being taught, I will permanently build a tent at the university and just live there for the rest of my life.
Dent was looking at around 7 years +2 years practical, and to be honest, thats just too much for me. And I got very bored when I did my work experience there, it just didnt seem like an interesting field that I would be able to be enthusiastic about, day in, day out.

[Greatness]

There isn't that much chemistry in chemical engineering, so if you want something that involves a lot of chemistry stay away from it - you might be better off to stick with pharmaceutical science or maybe science with chemistry major. Many chemical engineers work in chemical plants/factories - their main job would be to ensure that it is running safely and efficiently, i read that chemical engineers are also working in the mining industry now as well as in the oil rigs which pays really well If you want to do chemical eng at monash it's 4 years and 5 years for melbourne since you need to do the science/commerce degree first then the masters.

[Tomw2]

Chemical Engineering? How many years is that? What do you have to do, like what does the job involve?

Generally 4 years via undergrad system and then graduates tend to apply for and move into specific graduate engineering programs in private industry. Chemical engineers from what I have heard, tend to work in a variety of settings, with a large proportion consulting in 'process engineering' - ie oil and gas plants, working out the cost-benefit of different ways of extracting/producing different chemical compound (could be in any area including food, cosmetics, cleaning, manufacturing etc). Hands on chemistry is limited however - for this you would need to be in research (which means honours + masters/PhD)

Geologists with petrochemistry/hydrology skills have a pretty good gig IMO. It takes 3 years for the BSc, 1-2 years of graduate program roles in industry (so you're getting paid) and then a variety of options after that which tend to be well remunerated if you're prepared to do a little travelling to remote areas.

It may be worth considering enrolling in a generalist course (BSc or BA/BSc etc) for a year to try out a few different disciplines and use your access to university resources to explore ideas for different roles and professions.

For instance, I became surer of dentistry and medicine while in 2nd year, reading journal articles for an essay on the physiology of bone healing.

I guess, if I love the area of chem that is being taught, I will permanently build a tent at the university and just live there for the rest of my life.

There is a term for that, its called "being an academic" We desperately need more chemical researchers!

Dent was looking at around 7 years +2 years practical, and to be honest, thats just too much for me. And I got very bored when I did my work experience there, it just didnt seem like an interesting field that I would be able to be enthusiastic about, day in, day out.

Yeah I can understand that. It can appear to be quite monotonous in general dentistry. The most satisfied people tend to be those that foster a variety of dent-related roles and activities as well as being the type of person who is obsessed with wrapping presents with perfect creases etc

[nisha]

Chemical Engineering? How many years is that? What do you have to do, like what does the job involve?

Generally 4 years via undergrad system and then graduates tend to apply for and move into specific graduate engineering programs in private industry. Chemical engineers from what I have heard, tend to work in a variety of settings, with a large proportion consulting in 'process engineering' - ie oil and gas plants, working out the cost-benefit of different ways of extracting/producing different chemical compound (could be in any area including food, cosmetics, cleaning, manufacturing etc). Hands on chemistry is limited however - for this you would need to be in research (which means honours + masters/PhD)

Geologists with petrochemistry/hydrology skills have a pretty good gig IMO. It takes 3 years for the BSc, 1-2 years of graduate program roles in industry (so you're getting paid) and then a variety of options after that which tend to be well remunerated if you're prepared to do a little travelling to remote areas.

It may be worth considering enrolling in a generalist course (BSc or BA/BSc etc) for a year to try out a few different disciplines and use your access to university resources to explore ideas for different roles and professions.

For instance, I became surer of dentistry and medicine while in 2nd year, reading journal articles for an essay on the physiology of bone healing.

I guess, if I love the area of chem that is being taught, I will permanently build a tent at the university and just live there for the rest of my life.

There is a term for that, its called "being an academic" We desperately need more chemical researchers!

Dent was looking at around 7 years +2 years practical, and to be honest, thats just too much for me. And I got very bored when I did my work experience there, it just didnt seem like an interesting field that I would be able to be enthusiastic about, day in, day out.

Yeah I can understand that. It can appear to be quite monotonous in general dentistry. The most satisfied people tend to be those that foster a variety of dent-related roles and activities as well as being the type of person who is obsessed with wrapping presents with perfect creases etc

If Chemical engineering doesnt have enough chem, then I dont think its that good for me. Maybe, but I still am not sure.
I am an academic, so maybe a chemical researcher?

[Jenny_2108]

And now I'm thinking of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash.

I know I cannot work in a lab, because I would get bored too easily and am not at all a patient person. I basically need to do something that is changing all the time.I dont much care for the pay, but I'm hoping its relatively decent.

Hi Nisha, pharmaceutical science involves working in industry or research. As you said, you dont like working in the lab so maybe in industry is suitable for you?!?

There are 3 majors areas of study:
+ drug discovery biology: the biotechnological aspects of drug design and evaluation
+ formulation science: formulate, design and evaluate pharmaceutical products
+medicinal chemistry: how drugs work and made

Pharmacy involves patient care in hospitals or community, educating patients so that they use drugs in safe and efficient ways.

I think pharmaceutical is mainly about chem, bio and medical technology while pharmacy is about wellbeing of people. If you like interacting with people, giving advices, pharmacist may suit you but if you wanna research or design drugs, pharmaceutical is a good choice.

I remember you posted on somewhere in AN that you did work experience in a pharmacy and you really like it, so just go for what you love. Dont be stopped by the salary or the limitation of jobs. The future may change and you cant predict. Good luck!!!

P/S: I will apply for bachelor of pharmacy at Monash as well so we may study together haha

[iirene]

There's also a double degree at Monash:
Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical)/ Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science
- 5 years full time
- First and third years at Parkville, second, fourth and fifth years at Clayton, where fifth year is Research

[nisha]

And now I'm thinking of Pharmaceutical Science at Monash.

I know I cannot work in a lab, because I would get bored too easily and am not at all a patient person. I basically need to do something that is changing all the time.I dont much care for the pay, but I'm hoping its relatively decent.

Hi Nisha, pharmaceutical science involves working in industry or research. As you said, you dont like working in the lab so maybe in industry is suitable for you?!?

There are 3 majors areas of study:
+ drug discovery biology: the biotechnological aspects of drug design and evaluation
+ formulation science: formulate, design and evaluate pharmaceutical products
+medicinal chemistry: how drugs work and made

Pharmacy involves patient care in hospitals or community, educating patients so that they use drugs in safe and efficient ways.

I think pharmaceutical is mainly about chem, bio and medical technology while pharmacy is about wellbeing of people. If you like interacting with people, giving advices, pharmacist may suit you but if you wanna research or design drugs, pharmaceutical is a good choice.

I remember you posted on somewhere in AN that you did work experience in a pharmacy and you really like it, so just go for what you love. Dont be stopped by the salary or the limitation of jobs. The future may change and you cant predict. Good luck!!!

P/S: I will apply for bachelor of pharmacy at Monash as well so we may study together haha

Maybe I'll c you there:)

Nah, the problem is, I love interacting with people, but I love the idea of midicinal chemistry and drug design too

[Starlight]

Plus, I'm not smart enough to get in

woah there. Uni is completely different to high school, in the course structure and everything.

I didn't do that great in vce (e.g. got C+ in a couple of exams) and now am pulling h1s. It's all about hard work that will get you your marks, natural ability might help a bit sure, but that is only about 5% of it!!