Victorian College of Pharmacy news

Students try their hand at Pharmaceutical Science

29 September 2006

Ten talented VCE students spent two days over the September school holidays discovering the science behind everyday products.

Teams from Melbourne High, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, MacRobertson Girls High, Balwyn High and Penleigh and Essendon Grammar competed in the college’s Year 11 Chemistry Challenge for a prize of two iPod Nanos.

The day began with tutorials – one on skin structure and function, and the other on formulation chemistry, focusing on moisturisers, why we use them and how they work. This theory was put into practice when each team created a moisturising cream in a hands-on laboratory session. Teams then moved to the computer lab to develop packaging and advertisements for their products. The expert panel judged five lively and creative advertisements and announced Claire Knowles and Pravin Rajasekaran from Penleigh and Essendon Grammar winners of the Challenge.

“There were some great ideas and products created, and each team showed real insight into this application of pharmacutical science,” Professor Colin Chapman said.

Claire and Parvin created Mirage Springs Hand and Body Moisturiser, a specially formulated cream with all natural ingredients, to ‘prevent dryness and replenish the moisture in your skin to give you that smooth feeling you have always wanted!’

The Challenge gave students an insight into university-level chemistry and pharmaceutical science in particular. It focused on pharmaceutical biology, which covers the biotechnological aspects of drug design and formulation chemistry, which addresses the making and testing of new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, foods and industrial products. Both pharmaceutical biology and formulation chemistry will be taught in the college’s Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science, which commences in 2007.

“The workshop was great fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the practical sessions,” said Claire Knowles, a member of the winning team.

Sounds like fun? Interested in formulating your own moisturiser? Check out the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science which is new to Monash University in 2007. Graduates will be able to major in either Pharmaceutical Biology or Formulation Chemistry. Visit www.vcp.monash.edu.au/courses  for more information.