Program Overview

Industrial Pharmaceutics (MRes)

The MRes in Industrial Pharmaceutics is a unique research programme that develops the critical skills required to work in the pharma and biopharma manufacturing industry in Ireland. The programme will develop competency in the design of experiments, data analysis, process development, and analytical method development, as well as in transversal skills such as scientific communication and technical writing.

Course Outline

This is the first research-intensive, industry-focussed MRes course of its kind in Ireland and is designed to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry for more specialist scientists with expertise in the analytical or process development space in Ireland and abroad. The MRes Industrial Pharmaceutics is a 12-month full-time (24 months part-time) research programme based within the School of Pharmacy and/or industry.

Course Practicalities

The MRes in Industrial Pharmaceutics full-time course will consist of 12 months of research on campus in the School of Pharmacy labs or an industry/research setting. The expected hours will be 9-5 from Monday to Friday. There is no placement associated with this programme.

Why Choose This Course

Our MRes is the only structured master's research programme in Ireland that specifically targets the biopharma and pharmaceutical industries. Ireland has a significant biopharma manufacturing footprint with 9 out of the top 10 pharma companies globally based here. Completion of a research degree in pharma at a university with significant biopharma industry links will enable significant future employability both locally in Ireland and internationally as a process or analytical development scientist.

Skills and Careers Information

As the global biopharmaceutical industry continues to expand, it continues to experience a shortage of highly skilled staff, so this is an ideal programme for those wishing to work in the Irish or international biopharmaceutical industry. In addition, the School of Pharmacy will endeavour to work with the local biopharma industry to maximise employment opportunities for our research programme graduates.

Requirements

Applicants must have a Second-Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honour's degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any of the following relevant subject areas: chemistry, biology, biochemistry, physiology, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, or science, healthcare science, technology, or process engineering. Eligible applicants will be invited for an interview. Selection from among eligible applicants will be made according to the following criteria:

• Performance in primary degree
• Personal statement
• References

Fees and Costs

The EU fees for this programme are €11,100, and the non-EU fees are €20,500. Please note that a scholarship is not available for this programme.

Modules

The programme consists of an extensive research induction programme to develop basic pharma/biopharma process and analytical development skills. Students undertake a total workload equivalent to 90 credits over the 12-month full-time programme (24 months part-time), the principal element of which is the completion of a major research thesis of approximately 20,000 words. In parallel, students must take and pass taught modules to the value of 20 credits.

• Core Module:
  • PF6040 Pharmaceutics Research Skills (5 credits)
• Elective Modules (15 credits from the following list):
  • PF6026 Pharmaceutical Technology & Unit Operations (5 credits)
  • PF6027 Pharmaceutical GxP and Regulatory Science (5 credits)
  • PF6028 Process Control and Validation for Pharmaceutical Processes (5 credits)
  • PF6029 Biotechnology-derived and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) (5 credits)
  • PF6032 Bioprocessing Unit Operations (5 credits)
  • PF6035 Lean Six Sigma for Biopharma (10 credits)
  • PF6044 Digital Transformation in the (Bio)pharma Industry (5 credits)

Research Thesis

You will undertake independent research towards the completion of a research thesis to a workload equivalent to 70 credits on a selected topic in industrial pharmaceutics.

Career Pathways

Career pathways are varied and include the following:

• Process Scientist
• Analytical Development Scientist
• Process Support Scientist/Engineer
• Pharmaceutical Engineer
• Technical Operations
• Tech Transfer
• Manufacturing Scientist
• QC Technical Support