Biomedical Science

This MSc programme aims to provide students with the underpinning knowledge and practical skills to pursue a successful career in biomedical science. The course is designed for those who wish to follow careers as Biomedical Scientists in research, the Health Service or in the wider context of biomedical science (including Medical Technologies, Bio-pharmaceutical and other Healthcare industries). Using state of the art technologies and a range of skills from scientific, engineering and clinical disciplines to understand and investigate questions originating in biology and medicine. You will be introduced to science and engineering disciplines you will not have covered in your undergraduate studies. You will have access to some of Ireland’s leading researchers in this area. A major objective of the course is to introduce students to an interdisciplinary approach to Biomedical Science, which utilises technologies and skills from a wide spectrum of scientific, engineering and clinical disciplines.

Industry placement
Students have the opportunity to apply for 9–12 month industry placements, which if a placement is secured, replaces the research dissertation. An industry placement-associated module (30 ECTS), is completed by students undertaking industry placements, replacing the research dissertation module. Students undertaking an industry placement will be registered on the MSc into a seconnd year for the duration of the placement.

Programme objectives
The MSc in Biomedical Science programme’s primary objective is to provide students with the underpinning knowledge and practical skills to pursue a successful career in biomedical science.

The course is designed for those who wish to follow careers as Biomedical Scientists in research, the Health Service or in the wider context of biomedical science including Medical Technologies, Bio-pharmaceutical and other Healthcare industries.
Using state-of-the-art technologies and a range of skills from scientific, engineering and clinical disciplines to understand and investigate questions originating in biology and medicine.
You will be introduced to science and engineering disciplines you will not have covered in your undergraduate studies. You will have access to some of Ireland’s leading researchers in this area.
A major objective of the course is to introduce students to an interdisciplinary approach to Biomedical Science, which utilises technologies and skills from a wide spectrum of scientific, engineering and clinical disciplines.

The MSc in Biomedical science (90 ECTS) is a full-time Level 9 programme course, normally extending over a 12-month period from September to August. The MSc is intended to introduce students to science and engineering disciplines they would not have covered in their undergraduate studies.

Accreditation information
The MSc in Biomedical Science course is not accredited by the Academy for Clinical Science and laboratory Medical Scientists (ACSML) or CORU. As a result, graduates of the MSc are not eligible to be employed as Laboratory Medical Scientists in Hospital clinical diagnostics laboratories. Graduates have however, secured Research Assistant positions in laboratories within Hospital clinical units.

The first two semesters consist of taught modules (60 ECTS; see module details for more information) that will acquaint you with the basics of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, depending on your background. The modules are devoted to coursework through a series of lectures and tutorials and assessed by means of a written exam and/or continuous assessment. Students complete both scientific and business modules. Students are expected to carry out a business project by preparing a written report and presentation on a biomedical science-related topic. Also during the first two semesters, there will be a series of practical sessions that will familiarise you with different forms of instrumentation and techniques.

A optional laboratory-based research project (30 ECTS) is undertaken by students in the 3rd semester (April–August). Toward the end of the research project, students are asked to present their findings at an MSc Research Symposium day. There is a prize for the most outstanding MSc Research presentation on the day.

An alternative optional 30 ECTS module can be chosen instead by students. This module Regulatory Affairs & Operational Excellence aims to equip students with foundational practical knowledge of the regulatory pathways for placing medical devices and pharmaceuticals on the market within the EU, US and globally. It explains the legislation applicable and guidelines available to medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Students also gain theoretical and practical knowledge and experience in Lean Six Sigma Operational Excellence, and Quality Management.

In a new development from 2018–19, students undertaking the MSc. also have the opportunity to apply for a 9–12 month industry placement, which if successfully secured, is carried out instead of the research dissertation. An industry placement-associated module (30 ECTS), is completed by students undertaking industry placements, replacing the research dissertation module. Students undertaking an industry placement will be registered on the MSc into a 2nd year for the duration of the placement.

1MV1
Semester 3: Research Project
A 3-month laboratory project with an academic research team on a subject related to biomedical science. The aim of this module is to provide students with hands-on experience of the rigours of scientific research, from experimental design, to execution of research. Students are educated as to best practice for reporting their results.

Semester 3: Regulatory Affairs & Operational Excellence
The module provides MSc in Biomedical Science students with a detailed foundation in Regulatory Affairs (both EU & US), Lean Six Sigma Operational Excellence, and Quality Management. Students are introduced to world-leading device technologies for global disease treatment being manufactured, and new and emerging breakthrough technologies. It also provides an introduction to state-of-the-art theories and concepts in relation to a research topic in the Quality Management area.

1MV4
Semesters 3–5: Industry Placement
The Industry Placement module provides a period of professional work experience of up to 12 months in a Medical Technologies or Pharmacuetical / BioPharmaceutical company for MSc in Biomedical Science students. Students gain important on-the-job experience and skills through work placements with participating companies. Placements take place from June in the first year and run to end of May in Year 2. A placement introduces the student to structured employment and will develop an understanding of the organisation, its procedures, good manufacturing practice, technologies and its products. The Industry placement provides students with a range of professional development opportunities, including:
Valuable work experience in a relevant technical and business area.
Develop a range of work-related technical, business, organisational, team and management skills demanded by graduate employers.
Apply skills developed during the MSc. degree programme.
Develop technical skills.
Gain insights into future career opportunities and enable more informed career choices.
Improve employability.
Develop both personally and professionally: gaining confidence, working individually and in a team, taking on positions of responsibility, making decisions, enhancing communications, reporting skills, and supporting others.
Gain experience in CV preparation and job application interview skills.

1 year full-time.

1 year, full-time (MSC-MBC)
2 years, full-time with industry placement (MSC-MV4)

Next start date September 2024

Career Opportunities
Located in the heart of Ireland’s biomedical device industry cluster, University of Galway offers excellent career opportunities for biomedical science graduates. A wide variety of career opportunities exists for graduates of this programme. These include research and development in medical devices or phar‌maceuticals in an industrial or academic setting, medical device sales, work in hospital laboratories and further postgraduate studies.

Furthermore, this programme is a springboard to PhD research opportunities. Graduates of the MSc in Biomedical Science have gone on to work within the medical technology and pharmaceutical industries, hospitals and academia. Galway is a global hub for the medical device industry so University of Galway graduates are well-placed to avail of employment opportunities with a wide range of multi-national and indigenous medical technologies organisations. Recent graduates have found employment with a range of companies, including Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Regeneron, Abbott, Allergan, and Pfizer, and many Medtech, and Pharma/Biopharma Heathcare industries.