Pharmaceutical & Chemical Analysis - Athlone

Aim

This interdisciplinary MSc programme in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Analysis is designed to provide participants with industry-informed, expert knowledge and skills, in the application of modern, state-of-the-art, analytical techniques, which focus on pharmaceutical ingredients, products and other chemicals.



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

Bioanalytical Methods with Toxicology Credits: 10

Standards and Regulation in the Pharmaceutical Laboratory Credits: 5

Research Methods and Professional Development Skills Credits: 5



Semester 2

Method Development for Pharmaceutical Chromatography Credits: 5

Characterisation of Pharmaceutical Materials and Polymers Credits: 10

Applied Spectroscopic Analysis Credits: 5

Data Analysis for Analytical Scientists Credits: 5

Industry Oriented Workshops Credits: 5



Semester 3

Research Project Credits: 30

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.

1 year, full-time.

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)



Further Study

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.