Biotherapeutics & Business

MSc Biotherapeutics and Business
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

Regulatory issues, and innovation and commercialisation strategies, will also be covered. You will also receive a comprehensive business education. You will learn to identify and solve business problems in local and international settings, enhance your communication and leadership skills, and improve your ability for independent thinking and developing creative solutions.

- The UCD MSc Biotherapeutics and Business programme has a global, multidisciplinary perspective with contributions from national and international academics and experts.

- Students share their firsthand practical experience with other MSc students and professionals from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds and this creates a dynamic learning environment.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

Suitable for life-science and chemistry graduates with non-business backgrounds.

Course Description

This programme will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of biotherapeutics, beginning with pre-clinical modelling and target identification together with antibody engineering, biochemical and biophysical characterisation and development issues for bioprocessing. Systems biology of biotechnological processes and approaches to the analysis of proteomics based discovery data will be covered in detail together with mathematical modelling, bioinformatics analysis and data integration strategies. Regulatory issues and innovation and commercialisation strategies will also be covered. Mammalian cell culture and bioprocess laboratory structure will be comprehensively covered in addition to novel approaches to therapeutic development. You will also receive a comprehensive business education. You will learn to identify and solve business problems in local and international settings, enhance your communication and leadership skills and improve your ability for independent thinking and developing creative solutions.

The MSc in Biotherapeutics and Business is the result of close collaboration between UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and UCD Smurfit School of Business.

Vision and Values Statement
The MSc programme in Biotherapeutics and Business is designed for life science/chemistry graduates interested in management and the business of developing biotherapeutic drugs. The graduates of this programme are uniquely positioned to bridge the knowledge gap between science and business in this rapidly developing area (Purposes). We aim to enhance the students' awareness of the challenges of bringing biotherapeutics research from the laboratory to the market. There is a particular emphasis on preparing the graduates for working in a business environment and developing their leadership attributes (Values). A unique collaboration with the Michael Smurfit School of Business at UCD provides a blended programme in which students are encouraged to develop creative thinking by applying business principles coupled with scientific understanding using exercises that challenge the students individually and within teams. Experts from within the university,from industry and the business community are involved in providing content and supervision (Nature of the learning environment). The delivery of the curriculum uses a variety of teaching approaches and assessment strategies, which includes classical written examination, oral assessments, case studies poster presentation and a team based valuation of a candidate drug for market (Teaching, learning and assessment).

This is a full-time, one-year programme, divided into three semesters (from early September until the end of August). The programme consists of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops and case studies. To complete the MSc in Biotherapeutics and Business you must successfully complete all core modules and your chosen option modules. You must also successfully complete a business plan and biotherapeutics case study.

Stage 1 - Core
Professional Career Development BIOC40180
Mgt & Org Behav MSc Bio&B BMGT45050
The Business of Biotechnology and Science BMOL40120
Feasibility and Business Plan BMOL40130
Corporate Finance (BB) FIN41440
Marketing Management MSc Bio&B MKT42310
Biotherapeutic Pipeline I PHAR40200
Biotherapeutic Pipeline II PHAR40210
Systems Biology in Drug Dev PHAR40220
Biotherapeutics Case Study PHAR40350

Stage 1 - Option
Biomedical Diagnostics & Devices BIOC40250
Biological Imaging BMOL40180
Multicellular Systems BMOL40190
HCS Microscopy CELB40160
Recombinant DNA Technology MICR40010
Emerging Issues in Biotechnology MICR40100
Regulatory Affairs in Science PHAR40240

- Candidates must have obtained at least an upper Second Class Honours (2:1) Grade or equivalent in an honours BSc in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Physiology, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry or an equivalent qualification.

- If English is not your native language, unless you have done your primary degree through English in an English speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes. English Language qualifications include a minimum score of 550 (213 computer based) for Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 6.5 (with a score of 6 obtained in each category) for International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted such as the Cambridge Certificate. Tests used as evidence of language proficiency must have been completed within the last 12 months.
2 academic references will be required, at least one to be from a science faculty member.

- Students meeting the programme's academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD's Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master's Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes

The following entry routes are available:

MSc Biotherapeutics & Business FT (F103)
Duration 1 Years Attend Full Time
Deadline Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

1 year full-time.

Careers & Employability
This advanced graduate degree in Biotherapeutics and Business has been developed in consultation with employers and therefore will be recognised and valued by them. A key feature is the opportunity to carry out a business development plan which will allow graduates to develop connections with prospective employers, thereby enhancing chances of employment on graduation.

Prospective employers include: Abbott; Allergan; Amgen; Baxter Healthcare; Eli Lilly and Co.; Dignity Sciences; Glaxo SmithKline; Icon Clinical Research; ImmunoGen Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.; Johnson & Johnson Ltd.; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Quintiles; Quest International; Sandoz; Seroba Kernel.