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Talented year 11 chemistry students from 53 schools across Victoria experienced what life was like as a student at Monash University's Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Parkville, Melbourne.
The two day hands-on workshop was held over the September school holidays to give students an insight into the science behind the creation of every day products. Ninety six students were introduced to university-level chemistry through a mix of lab sessions and tutorials covering topics such as skin structure, emulsions in moisturisers and antibacterials.
Armed with a basic knowledge of skin structure and how moisturisers work, teams from each school were then challenged to create a moisturiser by working out which ingredients and processes make the best formulation of a moisturising cream.
Participants also met researchers from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science which comprises the largest and most experienced group of pharmaceutical scientists in Australia. Students quizzed researchers on their current research and explored some of the faculty's successful projects including Relenza and its role in the treatment of H1N1.
Course Director for the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr Ben Capuano said the workshop exposed students to real life applications of chemistry.
"This workshop allows students to see and experience for themselves the processes pharmaceutical scientists go through to develop a medicated cream, from an idea to a physical product on our pharmacy shelf." Dr Capuano said.
This event would not have been possible without the support of Cognis Australia.
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