About the Certificate
The Certificate in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (16 credits) is open to undergraduate students interested in careers in the pharmaceutical industry, especially within the manufacturing and supply chain sectors. The certificate is designed to supplement the baccalaureate plans of studies in different majors, including (but not limited to) engineering, computer science, chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, health sciences, technology, and business, chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, and health sciences. The pharmaceutical and life sciences industry talent needs are shifting driven by the new therapeutic product modalities (e.g., cell and gene therapies), digitization, and advanced data analytics. The technological disruptors are creating a skill mismatch between the traditional degrees associated with the pharmaceutical sector and future demands. By 2030 a projected 90,000 current jobs in the pharma industry will disappear due to automation while up to 120,000 of different jobs in high-skilled occupations will be created. Purdue University has gained an understanding of the industry’s needs through collaboration with Work Force of the Future initiative, sponsored by the ISPE Global Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Leadership Forum, and partnerships with major regional life sciences industry employers such as Eli Lilly. While the degrees most associated with this sector (chemistry, chemical engineering, and pharmaceutical sciences) will continue to be valuable, the disciplines of data science, artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, industrial engineering, as well as robotics and automation technologies will play significant roles within these organizations. Graduates of such programs currently have limited exposure to drug development and regulatory process required to ensure public safety. The undergraduate certificate provides broad technical exposure to these topics through relevant courses and experiential learning opportunities. Combined with their Purdue major plans of study, students who attain this certificate will be well positioned to advance into successful careers working in the global pharmaceutical industry. Clinical exposure to these topics through relevant courses and experiential learning opportunities. Combined with their Purdue major plans of study, students who attain this certificate will be well positioned to advance into successful careers working in the global pharmaceutical industry.
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