Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering - Biopharmaceutical Engineering

MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering
Academic Year 2020/2021
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)

Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical manufacturing are key sectors in the Irish economy generating over 50 per cent of GDP. This sector has seen continued and sustained success with a number of high-profile investments in recent years providing excellent job opportunities for graduates. The programme and its academic faculty are closely linked with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), which is a global centre of excellence for training and research in bioprocessing.

The MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering programme provides substantial coverage of scientific, technical, management and regulatory issues associated with this industry. The aim of this programme is to offer an internationally recognised high-quality flexible curriculum, which follows the latest developments in science and technology. This programme is suitable for Science and Engineering graduates wishing to obtain a qualification which is highly relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Curricular information is subject to change.

Vision and Values Statement
The MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering programme provides intensive training in the requisite skills for a professional engineer or scientist in the biopharmaceutical or related sector. The programme provides substantial coverage of the scientific, technical, management and regulatory issues associated with this industry.

The programme's teaching methods are highly interactive and varied and student learning is assessed using a variety of assessment methodology including exams, assignments, case studies and presentations. Students complete a research project which consolidates their basic knowledge of the course content and provides intensive research experience and training. The course content addresses the principal scientific and engineering challenges involved in the design, operation and management of biopharmaceutical production facilities.

It is anticipated that graduates from this programme will play an important role in the development, design and operation of biopharmaceutical processes throughout the industry in the coming years.

Who should apply?
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

Programme Outcomes
Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles involved in the development of a biopharmaceutical production process

Understand the engineering principles underlying the production of biopharmaceuticals

Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of GMP and the regulatory issues involved in biopharmaceutical production

Apply their knowledge of biopharmaceutical production processes to design, equip and manage a biopharmaceutical production factility

Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a design team for the development of a new production facility

Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the challenges involved in the downstream purification of biopharmaceuticals

Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of process control when applied to growth of mammalian cells in bioreactors

Demonstrate an appreciation of the concept and practice of independent research in specialised topics in biopharmaceutical engineering

Apply their knowledge of biopharmaceutical production processes to design, equip and manage a biopharmaceutical production factility

Demonstrate an appreciation of the concept and practice of independent research in specialised topics in biopharmaceutical engineering

Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of GMP and the regulatory issues involved in biopharmaceutical production

Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the challenges involved in the downstream purification of biopharmaceuticals

Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of process control when applied to growth of mammalian cells in bioreactors

Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles involved in the development of a biopharmaceutical production process

Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a design team for the development of a new production facility

Understand the engineering principles underlying the production of biopharmaceuticals

Stage 1 - Option
Bioprocessing LaboratoryCHEN40090
Facility Design and OperationCHEN40110
Biopharmaceutical Industry Regulation and ManagementCHEN40120
Bioprocess Scale-up and Technology TransferCHEN40130
Biopharmaceutical Engineering ProjectCHEN40140
Lean Sigma Biopharma ProcessCHEN40480
Bioanalytical Science for BiopharmaCHEN40630
Commissioning & QualificationCHEN40640
Research MethodologiesCHEN40650
Biotechnology & BiopharmaCHEN40670
Downstream Processing & Sterile Fill Finish (PT)CHEN40710
Principles of Biopharmaceutical Engineering (PT)CHEN40720
Animal Cell Culture Technology (PT)CHEN40730

An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours or international equivalence in a relevant Engineering, Science or Technology programme. However, all applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and relevant or extensive work experience will be taken into account.

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent. For more information please click here.

Students must be working full-time in the Pharma/Biopharma or a related sector.

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

The following entry routes are available:

MEngSc Biopharmaceutical Engineering PT (T015)
Duration 2 Years Attend Part Time
Deadline Rolling*
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

2 years part time.

Class times for two year part time version: Classes take place every Friday afternoon (during UCD term time) between 14.00 - 18.00 at the NIBRT facility, Belfield Campus, UCD.

Start Date: 09/Sep/2019

Career & Graduate Study Opportunity
Your career opportunities upon graduation from this programme are exemplary. Ireland is a world player in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical production. The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland comprises a mix of international and local companies. Approximately, 120 overseas companies have plants in Ireland, including many of the largest pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in the world including AbbVie, Amgen, Biomarin, BMS, Genzyme, GSK, Janssen Biologics (Ireland), Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi Shire, and many more. Upon graduation from this programme, you will enjoy an extremely high job placement rate with superlative career opportunities.