Chemistry - Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds

Course Outline
MSc degree courses are provided in three key areas of Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Analytical Chemistry and in Pharmaceutical Analysis. They are designed to provide advanced knowledge and hands-on training in modern analytical instrumental techniques. Separation science, sensors, and spectroscopic techniques are key elements alongside chemometrics, instrumentation and advanced research project completion. Students will have the flexibility to specialise in a chosen field and further advancement to PhD research is available to highly motivated and talented postgraduates.

The MSc in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds is a one-year course designed to provide you with the theoretical and practical skills for employment in a diverse range of industries that require analytical expertise. The course curriculum consists of six months of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, career service workshops, industry-based seminars/workshops, site visits to industry and a six-month research project (industry, research institute, aboard).

The curriculum has been developed with input from staff in the chemistry department and also by the industry advisory board, to provide you with the necessary skills required by employers. Students have the choice to complete the six-month research project in a national or international industry or university environment. They also have the opportunity to present their research at the annual George Guilbault Symposium that is sponsored by industry with a number of awards being presented to students at this event.

On completion of this MSc course, you will be able to:

identify, formulate, analyse and solve problems in the analysis of chemical compounds

outline fundamental and applied aspects of chemical analysis

design and carry out a method of pharmaceutical and chemical analysis, including instrumental analysis

prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion

communicate effectively with the chemistry, environmental and pharmaceutical communities

carry out research and method development in chemical, pharmaceutical and environmental analysis

prepare a written research report in the form of a dissertation

Course Practicalities
The courses consist of a 12-month full-time intensive programme of lectures, laboratory work on set experiments and a dissertation based on individual research and development in the selected field of modern analytical science, under the supervision of an expert staff member. Part-time students may complete the course over 24 months subject to flexible day release from the industry.

The MSc course in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds consists of eight-course modules that include lectures, set practical sessions, career service workshops, industry guest lectures, industry workshops and site visits and a six-month research project.

Students study 90 credits course work from the following modules:

Core Modules (60 credits)

CM6012 Modern Analytical Techniques, Chemical Data Analysis and GLP (10 credits)
CM6013 Separation Science, Sensors and Process Analytical Technology (10 credits)
CM6014 Materials, Pharmaceutical and Bio-analysis (10 credits)
CM6015 Practice of Analytical Chemistry (10 credits)
CM6027 Industry-Led Workshops (5 credits)
CM6027 Taught Postgraduate Transferable Skills Development (5 credits)
PF6301 Biopharmaceuticals: Formulation Design, Secondary Processing and Regulatory Compliance (10 credits)

Research Project Module (30 credits)
CM6022 Research Project and Dissertation in Pharmaceutical Analysis (30 credits)

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar

Programme Requirements

The MSc Degree in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds is awarded to successful candidates after passing written examinations across all taught modules, including the continuously assessed practical module CM6015, and the research project, which has to be written up in the form of a dissertation and approved by the external examiner.

The written examinations are split between the Winter and Spring examination periods. CM6012 and PF6301 are taken in the Winter, whilst CM6013 and CM6014 are taken in the Spring. Students taking the course part-time over two years can decide in advance what exams to take in each of the two years.

The research projects commence in Semester 2 and continue into Semester 3 and cover the time period of April to September. Dissertation completion and submission deadlines are the beginning of October each year.

Research Project and Industry Placement:

You will be required to complete a six-month research project based on your individual research and development in a selected field of modern science. You carry out your research in UCC's laboratories or at an approved academic or industrial partner.

When you complete your research dissertation in an industrial setting, it provides the company with an opportunity to assess your skills and abilities and to screen potential future full-time employees. Students also have the opportunity to travel aboard to do their research project. This highlights the international recognition of the course and the close links established between the course and the relevant institutes.

Students who secure employment upon graduation fit into the organisation and contribute productively much sooner than other graduates. For students with an interest in future careers as PhD researchers, research projects are offered across a broad range of topics.

Additional Teaching Mode Information
The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 2 years.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Entry Requirements - Direct Entry

Candidates must have obtained at least a Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent in a subject(s) related to that of the MSc programme.

The number of places is limited and selection will be made on the basis of the candidate's performance in his/her primary degree.

Graduates with equivalent qualifications in related areas of science and technology, or with proven and relevant industrial experience can be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for places following interview and assessment. Candidates must be approved by the Professor of Analytical Chemistry and/or the Co-ordinator of the MSc Programme, and by the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science.

Bridging courses may be assigned as a pre-requisite depending on the background of the individual candidate. Part-time candidates with sufficient day release time can sit for the written examinations after 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme, provided that they have completed all required coursework.

Entry Requirements - via the Postgraduate Diploma
Candidates having obtained at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I at the first attempt in a Postgraduate Diploma course in a cognate area of science and technology are eligible to apply. Candidates having obtained at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I at the first attempt in the Postgraduate Diploma course (in any of these analytical science programmes offered at UCC), can qualify to convert to the MSc programme in the same year, and be permitted to undertake the Research Dissertation Module, as directed by the Professor of Analytical Chemistry or the Programme Co-ordinator.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Deposit
Please note that successful EU applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €500 on acceptance of their place.

The MSc Degree in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds is awarded to successful candidates after passing written examinations across all taught modules, including the continuously assessed practical module CM6015, and the research project, which has to be written up in the form of a dissertation and approved by the external examiner.

The written examinations are split between the Winter and Spring examination periods. CM6012 and PF6301 are taken in the Winter, whilst CM6013 and CM6014 are taken in the Spring. Students taking the course part-time over two years can decide in advance what exams to take in each of the two years.

The research projects commence in Semester 2 and continue into Semester 3 and cover the time period of April to September. Dissertation completion and submission deadlines are the beginning of October each year.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date: 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
The MSc courses aim to provide you with the necessary skill set to develop methods and solve problems as demanded by many industries today (including pharmaceutical, environmental and forensic analytical laboratories). You are also introduced to research and innovation in analytical science.

Many analytical chemists, pharmaceutical chemical analysts and environmental chemical analysts go on to pursue careers in industry, government and forensic laboratories and opportunities for further research often result.

The course sets out to bridge the gap between the current undergraduate degree knowledge and what is relevant and expected by the industry. There is a strong emphasis on developing transferable skills and ensuring that the career path for the student is either industry or academically focused. A large percentage of students gain employment in the industry after completion of the course, however, a number of graduates also decide to progress to international Ph.D. opportunities.