Program Overview

Pharmaceutical and Chemical Analysis – MSc/PgD

Overview

This interdisciplinary MSc programme in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Analysis is designed to provide participants with industry-informed, expert knowledge and skills, in the application of modern, state-of-the-art, analytical techniques, which focus on pharmaceutical ingredients, products and other chemicals.

Aim

The aim of this programme is to deliver a wide range of experimental-focused, analytical skills in modern laboratory settings. The programme also aims to equip the graduate to pursue a career as an analytical scientist employed in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors or to prepare the graduate to embark on further postgraduate research studies across the pharmaceutical and chemical sciences.

Objective

This postgraduate programme addresses the needs of industry across the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. The programme is aimed in particular to address current employment shortages and skills deficits in pharmaceutical and chemical analytics. The programme is designed for science graduates and scientists currently employed in industry, who, through a multidisciplinary targeted approach, wish to further develop their analytical skills in advanced drug analysis, chemical analysis and toxicology.

Location and Duration

• Location: Athlone
• Duration: 1 year

Fees

• PgD – €5,980 EU applicants
• MSc – €7,900 EU applicants
• MSc – €18,500 non-EU applicants

Level and Course Type

• Level 9
• Course Type: Postgraduate

Study Mode

• Full Time

Department

• Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology

Entry Requirements

Eligible candidates for the MSc/PgD should hold a first (1H) or a second-class honours (2H1 or 2H2) award class in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or an international equivalent in a subject(s) related to that of the MSc/PgD programme.

Module Overview

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Advanced Analytical Techniques (10 credits)
• Bioanalytical Methods with Toxicology (10 credits)
• Standards and Regulation in the Pharmaceutical Laboratory (5 credits)
• Research Methods and Professional Development Skills (5 credits)

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Method Development for Pharmaceutical Chromatography (5 credits)
• Characterisation of Pharmaceutical Materials and Polymers (10 credits)
• Applied Spectroscopic Analysis (5 credits)
• Data Analysis for Analytical Scientists (5 credits)
• Industry Oriented Workshops (5 credits)

Year 1 – Semester 3

• Research Project (30 credits)

Career Opportunities

Multiple career opportunities for graduates of this programme include employment in positions such as:

• Analytical Chemist
• Analytical Scientist
• Bioanalytical Scientist
• Toxicologist
• Quality Assurance Specialist
• Quality Control Analyst
• Validation Specialist
• Product/Process Development Scientist
• Researcher
• PhD Researcher

Further Study

Graduates from the MSc programme in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Analysis will be ideally positioned to progress to NFQ Level 10 PhD programmes in a cognate area at TUS or other universities in Ireland or internationally.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

A variety of teaching and learning strategies feature across the delivery of this programme, reflective of the different nature of each of the various modules. The MSc/PgD programme is designed across five thematic areas based on the following pillars:

• Advanced Analytical Chemistry Techniques
• Bioanalytical Techniques
• Industry Focus
• Transversal Skills
• Research

Independent Student Learning and the Research Project

Students on this programme are expected to be independent learners meaning that they are active learners and take full professional responsibility for their studies, workload, academic commitments and deadlines. Independent learning fosters an environment for the learner where they can think and work independently without receiving on a continuous basis the same level of support that they would receive from academic staff.

Programme Gallery

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Guest Speakers from the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries and Industry Site Visits

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Programme Staff

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