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Graduate Diploma of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices) 

Z0852     


Campus Availability Study Mode Study Level Duration
External Venue, Hawthorn Block Release, Full-time, Part-time (day & evening) Postgraduate One year full-time or two years part-time

This program covers the code of conduct referred to as the 'code of Good Manufacturing Practice' (cGMP) which is crucial in the development and manufacturing of new products for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, veterinary, medical and related industries.
 

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The program aims to:
  • educate students in the fundamental reasons behind the requirement of good manufacturing practice
  • develop in students a fundamental understanding of how good manufacturing practice operates and how the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, veterinary, medical and related industries are regulated
  • provide for students a theoretical understanding as well as practical experience in microbiological aspects of pharmaceutical manufacturing, cleaning and sanitation, documentation and record keeping, manufacturing and packaging, process control measures, supervisory responsibility, validation, quality audits, quality management, process development, clinical study requirements, regulatory body requirement, quality assurance and quality control
The specific objective of the graduate diploma is to provide students with a sound basis in good manufacturing practices and to provide a world-recognised standard qualification in the area.

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The graduate diploma is one of a nested suite of postgraduate programs in Good Manufacturing Practices. Flexible and block mode delivery may alter time frames but not credit point requirements. Students must undertake eight prescribed units, nominally over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

 
Students undertaking the graduate diploma program must complete 100 credit points of study as follows:
  • four of the five core units of study from Group A (50 credit points), compulsorily including HES6401 and HES6402
  • one unit of study from Group B (12.5 credit points)
  • one unit of study from Group C (12.5 credit points)
  • two units of study from any group (A, B, C or D or minor thesis or research project subjects) (25 credit points)
All coursework units of study are offered in block release mode and require three or four full days of class attendance. 
International students are required to undertake the program on a full-time basis. While some units of study are available at interstate venues, international students may only undertake the program at the Hawthorn campus.
 
Interstate (non-Hawthorn campus) domestic applicants should note that some units of study may not be offered in some capital cities and that completion of  the graduate diploma or master level of the good manufacturing suite of programs is unlikely due to the unavailability of some units of study at non-Hawthorn campus venues.

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All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points (CP) unless otherwise indicated and are offered in block release mode only. Each unit of study normally requires three or four full days of class attendance. 

Group A  (Core units of study)
HES6401 International Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Assurance
HES6402 Good Manufacturing Practices for Manufacturing Operations
HES6403 Validation Principles
HES6404 Good Quality Control Laboratory Practices
HES6405 Contamination Control

Group B (Elective units of study I)

HES6406 Process Development for Therapeutics (A) – A Perspective for Protein Therapeutics *
HES6407 Process Development for Therapeutics (B) – A Perspective for Small Molecules *
HES6408 Process Development for Therapeutics (C) – A Perspective for Medical Devices *
HES6423 Process Development for Therapeutics (D) – Perspective for Pharmaceutical Finished Dose Forms

Group C (Elective units of study II)
HES6409 Validation Practices
HES6410 Good Laboratory Practices (for Non-Clinical Laboratories)
HES6411 Computer Systems Validation Principles
HES6412 Computer Systems Validation Practices
HES6413 Good Aseptic Practices and Sterile Products
HES6414 Clinical Trials Quality Assurance Management
HES6415 GxP and Quality Auditing Practices
HES6416 Pharmaceutical Engineering – Facility, Equipment and Process Design
* Only available at the Hawthorn campus
  
Note:
  • elective units of study may be added or removed from time to time as determined by the program manager and Faculty of Life and Social Sciences Academic Committee.
  • unit of study availability may vary due to enrolment quotas, timetable constraints, location and staff availability.

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The program is primarily aimed at laboratory staff, managers and practitioners in industries where good manufacturing practice is required. Completion of this program is expected to enhance employability and career positioning within companies.

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Professional recognition from regulatory bodies may be sought.

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Swinburne expects that its graduates:
  • are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
  • are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community
  • operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations
  • are adaptable and manage change
  • are aware of environments in which they will be contributing
Since this program requires a degree or equivalent for admission, students are expected to already exhibit many of these graduate attributes.

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To be eligible for admission into the Graduate Diploma of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices), a student should normally have satisfactorily completed an appropriate undergraduate science or engineering degree, or the equivalent. An advanced diploma with appropriate work experience is one typical example of a degree equivalence. Students who satisfactorily meet this requirement can enrol directly into the graduate diploma or may be allowed to articulate seamlessly from the graduate certificate (assuming successful completion) to the graduate diploma. Students who do not satisfy this requirement may also be admitted to the graduate diploma if they achieve a credit average or higher in the Graduate Certificate of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices).
 
Interstate (non-Hawthorn campus) domestic applicants should note that some units of study may not be offered in some capital cities and that completion of  the graduate diploma or master level of the good manufacturing suite of programs is unlikely due to the unavailability of some units of study at non-Hawthorn campus venues.
 
International students are required to undertake the program on a full-time basis. While some units of study are available at interstate venues, international students may only undertake the program at the Hawthorn campus.

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Successful completion of relevant units of study in a postgraduate degree, or equivalent, can provide entry into this program with advanced standing. A maximum of 25% credit for each stage is permissible except where modules running in the programs have been taken by students as stand-alone fee-paying units, in which case a maximum of 50% credit for each stage is permissible. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits and university policies will apply.

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Relevant industry experience, or equivalent, can provide entry into these programs with advanced standing. A maximum of 25% credit for each stage is permissible except where modules running in the program have been taken by students as stand-alone fee-paying units, in which case a maximum of 50% credit for each stage is permissible. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits and university policies will apply.

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In 2010, tuition fees for this program are based on $2100 per 12.5 credit point unit of study. In the event that a unit of study is derived from another program, the applicable fee will be that of the other program. All fees are reviewed each year and may increase without notice.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a suite of income contingent loans for Australian citizens and holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas. FEE-HELP (previously PELS) – is available to eligible fee paying undergraduate and postgraduate students. It provides students with a loan to cover their tuition fees (lifetime maximum $83,313 from 1 January 2009). The FEE-HELP limit is indexed on 1 January each year.

Note: New Zealand citizens and holders of other Australian permanent resident visas do not have access to HELP loans. These students must pay their student contributions or tuition fees up front without a discount.
For further information on your support and study options visit the 'Going to Uni' website at: http://www.goingtouni.gov.au

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Application forms can be downloaded from the website at: www.swinburne.edu.au/hed/postgrad/apply

2010 Closing Dates:
19 February for start 1 March
16 July for start 9 August

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Web: Enquire online

Tel: 1300 ASK SWIN (1300 275 794)
 

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