Quality Science
Quality science is a term used in the life science industries, particularly in the pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences sectors. Quality, as a term used in these industries, means a measure of excellence or a state of being free from defects, deficiencies and significant variations. Quality scientists ensure that a product is suitable for its intended purpose. They increase the reliability, integrity and trustworthiness of the products we use every day.
In a world of rapid technological innovation, these industries seek students who are armed with the critical thinking skills needed to make scientifically sound, quality-based decisions. Through this program, you will be grounded in an understanding of why, so you have the knowledge to tackle questions regarding quality with agility, awareness and competence. Since every decision could impact patient health and safety, your ability to address challenges through a disciplined, clear, rational and open-minded approach that is informed by evidence will be highly desired by your future employer.
Start your adventure
Sign up for more information about Earlham College.
Reece Zonts ’25
Reece Zonts from the Class of 2025 decided to minor in quality science because of his interest in the science industry. He wanted to learn more about industry regulations and the business aspect of his future career path.
“Industry is about making products that can be used and making profit off of those products—there has to be a need for them and a reason to be making them,” he explains. “Understanding the intersection of that, where you’re turning out a quality product, is a quality investment.
“Through these classes I gained experience and knowledge of the FDA and other global regulatory agencies. I understand the business side better now.”
After graduation Reece intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry but hopes to go into the industry side of science after obtaining his degree.
“Having the quality science background now is going to be a big leg up down the road for me,” he says. “I’ll have a high academic level and more of the real-world application and understanding of the business side in my back pocket.”
Garris Radloff ’22
Garris Radloff from the Class of 2022 remembers vividly taking the class “Regulatory Compliance.” During this class, the students were shown old commercials, to discuss regulations and how they’ve developed to protect consumers.
Two commercials stood out to him most. The first, an advertisement for butter that promised to lubricate your arteries in a healthy way. The second, a commercial for Vaseline, claiming it was “so pure you could eat it.”
“Obviously, they shouldn’t have been advertising these things, but they could at the time,” he says. “Now, I’ve helped with our own marketing and there are things we can and cannot say about our product because of regulations. So, it’s become something I directly deal with at work now.
“It prepared me really well for a job I didn’t know I was going to get later.”
Quality Science courses also prepared Garris for his career by teaching him more about the regulatory agencies the company he now works for adheres to.
“These classes gave me an idea for what to look for when filling out forms for the FDA,” he says. “They prepared me to find information about regulations that are in place, which helps me at my job.”
Adapting a culture of quality in the workplace
Although she earned a degree in global management from Earlham this May, it was Nathaly Montoya’s minor in quality science that developed a mindset that has most influenced her early career.
Using science to ensure integrity
To provide the quality science minor, Earlham partners with Pathway for Patient Health (PPH). PPH provides connections to leading life science companies such as Baxter International, Procter & Gamble, AstraZeneca and Elanco. Our partnership with PPH means our graduates are especially valued by employers like these upon graduation.
Industry experts
Three of your seven quality science courses will be taught by industry professionals from our partner organization, Pathway for Patient Health.
Employer connections
Our minors develop an online portfolio through a website that connects them to quality science employers for both internships and full-time jobs.
Our faculty
The quality science minor is a program taught by Earlham professors within the global management, chemistry and biology majors as well as industry professionals from our partner organization, Pathway for Patient Health.
Frequently asked questions
As a quality science minor, you’ll take seven courses, three of which are facilitated by industry experts at PPH. You’ll also create an online portfolio website that will connect you to employers in the life science industries for paid internships and employment.
The minor in quality science pairs well with majors like biochemistry, chemistry, biology or neuroscience, for those who want to pursue employment in the industry. It is housed in the Center for Global Health.
The quality science minor directly prepares you for a job in quality science. Typical job titles for this career include the following:
- research scientist
- product development
- analytical and microbiological methods development
- clinical scientist
- technology operations scientist
- supply chain operations
- quality operations laboratory
- quality assurance and regulatory affairs
If you’re planning to major in biochemistry, chemistry, biology or neuroscience, and want to pursue a career as a scientist in the pharmaceutical or biomedical sciences industries, the quality science minor is for you.