Hanna’s (unfiltered!) Study Diary

Balancing work and study isn’t easy, but Hanna’s found a way!  Follow her journey through her University Certificate in eBioPharmaChem program with GetReskilled, where she shares her insights and experiences weekly. Don’t miss out!

Week 6 – 3rd December

During the second assessment week of the eBioPharmaChem course, I focused on working on my Foundation Assignment. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well, so I’m glad I had two weeks to complete it. While writing the assignment, I made sure to follow the Plagiarism Guidelines and properly reference all my sources. This module ended with the Closing Pack, which included useful information and an interesting video about bad science.

In the video, Dr. Ben Goldacre discusses misleading cosmetic ads, acupuncture, homeopathy, vitamins, and other pseudoscientific practices. I really enjoyed the video because it not only provided important information but also showed how easily scientific facts can be manipulated, which helped me understand the importance of critically evaluating the information we receive.

Week 5 – 27th November

The evaluation week on the eBioPharmaChem course was quite challenging yet rewarding. The total word count for all assignments amounted to around 1500 words, covering 8 questions across 4 different topics. These topics had been thoroughly discussed in the previous four weeks of the course, which helped in preparing for the final tasks. To enhance my understanding, I also used additional resources provided during the course, such as the “Glossary of Pharmaceutical Validation Terms” by Gerry Creaner and Donagh Fitzgerald (updated January 2022), as well as information from the FDA website. Overall, the evaluation week allowed me to apply the knowledge gained throughout the course effectively.

Week 4 – 17th November

This week at eBioPharmaChem was the most interesting out of the four. The amount of information I encountered was both familiar and new. Much of it connected to what I had studied in university, but there were plenty of fresh concepts to explore. One of the most intersting topics was WFI (Water for Injection) Storage and Distribution. I found it fascinating to learn about the importance of maintaining water quality in the pharmaceutical industry, especially regarding the storage and distribution systems.

Additionally, I was impressed by the video “How to Properly Use a Cleanroom” by NASA Langley Research Centre. It provided a clear and detailed explanation of cleanroom protocols, particularly Cleanroom Gowning. Thanks to the video, I gained a better understanding of the strict rules that must be followed to maintain the sterile environment, which is crucial for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Week 3 – 10th November

This week at the eBioPharmaChem course was relatively challenging. New self-assessment tasks were introduced, which made the workload heavier. One of the tasks involved learning to use the risk management tool ‘Fault Tree Analysis,’ which I found straightforward and did not raise many questions.

However, the second task, which focused on Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMEA / FMEAC), has proven to be more time-consuming, and I am still working on it. Despite these more difficult tasks, the other topics covered this week were generally easy, yet very interesting.

I am enjoying the course and feel that I am gaining useful knowledge, even though some aspects require more time and effort to fully grasp.

Week 2 – 2nd November

During my second week in the eBioPharmaChem course, I found it much easier than the first week. I was already familiar with how to navigate the platform and the lesson formats, which helped me feel more comfortable.

However, the initial topic on ASTM E2500 – Standard Guide for Specification, Design, and Verification was quite challenging. I had never heard of this guide before, and its complex terms made it difficult to understand.

On a positive note, the section on Introduction to Quality Risk Management (QRM) was interesting, with clear examples that made the concepts easy to grasp. The biggest surprise came during the Round-Up! session, where I found a bonus video about the book I’m currently reading, Atomic Habits. This connection was delightful, and the tips from the book are helping me improve my study habits.