Profile
Ms Lori Ferrins
Course of study:
Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry 2011
I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do after high school though I knew I wanted to be involved in the sciences. Because I was also looking for a degree with an application in medicine, Medicinal Chemistry was able to fulfil both of these aspects. I have completed my degree with honours and started a PhD this year which will hopefully lead to a postgraduate position overseas.
Medicinal Chemistry is a comprehensive course that offers subjects not available as part of a general science degree, and involves lots of practical experience in the labs. The teaching staff are always available to answer your questions and the material is always updated to include new developments in science.
I completed a summer placement as part of the Cadetship Program offered by the University, which gave me valuable experience in a commercial lab. I found the program extremely rewarding as it has provided me with contacts in the industry and greatly increased the practical skills I developed through study.
The University also offers the ability to get involved with the In2Science program at high schools and primary schools around Victoria. This program integrates La Trobe students into a junior school environment, allowing university students the opportunity to develop not only their teaching skills but their oral communication skills as well.
The Melbourne campus has a good social environment with many sporting clubs, groups, functions and lots of student participation in events. The chemistry department has a very supportive student body in the form of La Trobe University Chemistry Krew (LUCK) which organises social events and supports chemistry students in their studies.
My advice to high school students looking to study science is take subjects like maths and chemistry as they are universally applicable at university level.
