Pharmaceutical & Chemical Analysis - Athlone

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. Enhancement of environmental sustainability by the pharmaceutical and chemical industries is also a key objective for the programme to address.

Expert training on the use of state-of-the-art, analytical, instrumentation will be provided. Graduates will gain insight into emerging developments in the growing, multinational, pharmaceutical sector in Ireland and across the EU. The programme will be delivered by a highly skilled, interdisciplinary team of academic staff, with analytical expertise across multiple domains (pharmaceutical and chemical sciences, pharmacy, pharmacology and toxicology). The programme will have a strong focus on the requirements of the pharmaceutical and chemical industries in a multinational, global setting. The programme will also draw on a wide body of industry partners at various stages over the delivery of the programme.

One of the main objectives of the MSc 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. Through successfully completing this programme, the learner will acquire the competence to excel in the laboratory as an analytical scientist and facilitate career progression in this rewarding and multinational, industry-orientated field.

Semester 1
Advanced Analytical Techniques
Credits: 10
The material covered in this module concentrates on giving a sound foundation to the theory and application of modern instrumental techniques, reinforced through hands on use in the laboratory programme. It begins with the Analytical process. It introduces common analytical techniques including basic Spectroscopy and Chromatography techniques . It then expands into more advanced analytical techniques include Radiochemical Methods, Thermal Methods of Analysis, Microscopic Methods and Electrochemical Methods.

Bioanalytical Methods with Toxicology
Credits: 10
This module provides a comprehensive overview of bioanalytical methods and their connection to drug design and development. It explores the principles, techniques, and applications of various bioanalytical methods used to detect, quantify, and analyse small and large (bio)molecules. This module will provide learners with the opportunity to study toxicology in its position underpinning pharmaceutical/drug safety. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of cell and molecular mechanisms of drug induced toxicity, with an understanding of the principles of toxicology including toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, target organ toxicity and genetic toxicology.

Standards and Regulation in the Pharmaceutical Laboratory
Credits: 5
This module describes management and standards in the pharmaceutical laboratory and compliance with external regulations and systems to maintain an effective and efficient laboratory. The roles of Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) as well as Lean Laboratory concepts are addressed as part of this module.

Research Methods and Professional Development Skills
Credits: 5
This module focuses on the skills needed to develop a research project and aims to equip the learner with the tools to help further their career development. The module has three components: Research Methods, Professional and Transferable Skills and Career Development and Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Semester 2
Method Development for Pharmaceutical Chromatography
Credits: 5
This module provides a comprehensive coverage of modern chromatographic theory, methodologies and applications from the perspective of method development.

Characterisation of Pharmaceutical Materials and Polymers
Credits: 10
The aim of the module is to provide an in-depth focus on a range of characterisation techniques widely employed in both the pharmaceutical and chemical industries and research relevant to the analysis of pharmaceutical materials. The module also concentrates on the evaluation and characterisation of pharmaceutical polymer excipients used in manufacturing processes to confirm identity and ensure quality, stability and purity of polymer ingredients.

Applied Spectroscopic Analysis
Credits: 5
The aim of this module is to give students an in-depth knowledge of modern spectroscopic techniques for structural analysis. The main emphasis for this module will be on IR, MS and NMR. Theory and application to chemical research problems will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on training the students to interpret spectra and to design experiments to address research problems. The student will learn to perform the most commonly used NMR (1D and 2D NMR spectra) experiments, and to interpret and document their results. Instruction will include lectures, practicals, spectroscopy workshops and individual case studies.

Data Analysis for Analytical Scientists
Credits: 5
This module will provide the learner with a solid foundation in a wide variety of data analysis techniques used in the analytical sciences including univariate and multivariate analysis with particular emphasis on the ability to design experiments and critically analyse the data produced.

Industry Oriented Workshops
Credits: 5
This module will provide students with insights and knowledge of working in the pharmaceutical industry. Workshops provided by internal personnel and external industry experts will impart valuable knowledge thereby helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Semester 3
Research Project
Credits: 30
Students will conduct an independent research project either in an academic research laboratory or an approved industrial setting (subject to availability). Upon completion of this module the student will have adopted a reflective critical approach to learning in addition to advancing their problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

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 (some examples of specialisation in honours degree programmes may include cognate areas such as: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Drug and Medicinal Product Analysis, Forensic and Pharmaceutical Science, Analytical Science, Toxicology, Pharmacy, Biochemistry etc. or an equivalent qualification).

Graduates who hold equivalent qualifications in cognate areas of science or technology or who have proven, relevant industrial experience will be considered for places on a case-by-case basis under the TUS Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 2022-2025.

Non-EU nationals must provide evidence of ability to take classes through the medium of the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent). Applicants may be required to attend TUS for an interview. An online Zoom/Skype/MS Teams interview may be arranged for international students.

International students: Entry for these students will follow normal Institute procedures handled by the Admissions Office at TUS in consultation with the International Office. Students applying for entry to these postgraduate programmes should supply the following information directly to the International Office, TUS Athlone Campus on or before June for programmes commencing in September: Completed TUS application form; Detailed curriculum vitae; Certified transcripts of examination results and English language translations of qualifications not issued in English; Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy university entry requirements i.e. IELTS 6.5 or equivalent Letter of recommendation from appropriate Head of Department or Lecturer at home institution. Any other relevant information regarding nursing and other qualifications or previous work experience. Students from non-EU countries must apply for a valid study visa for the duration of the programme of study in advance of registration at the University.

1 year full-time

Commencing September

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.

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

Analytical Chemist (working in areas such as: chemical analysis, drug formulation and development, product validation, toxicology)
Analytical Scientist
Bioanalytical Scientist
Toxicologist
Quality Assurance Specialist
Quality Control Analyst
Validation Specialist
Product/Process Development Scientist
Researcher (working in Research and Development)
PhD Researcher (in a cognate area related to the pharmaceutical and chemical sciences)