Chemistry - Synthetic Chemistry for the Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemicals Industries
MSc Synthetic Chemistry Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemicals Industries
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 90)
This course is designed for Chemistry graduates who are interested in deepening their knowledge of synthetic chemistry with a view to pursuing a career in either the fine chemical or pharmaceutical industries. There is a strong demand for these synthetic chemistry skills. Ireland is home to some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies making some of the world’s blockbuster medicines.
You can focus on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. In addition, you will complete a research project from topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis.
Students will take 60 credits in taught modules focusing on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. In addition, there is a 30 credit research project and students will be able to choose research topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. The UCD School of Chemistry has vibrant research in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, and it has strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally.
Course Description
Students will take 60 credits in taught modules focusing on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. These taught modules have a particular focus on synthetic chemistry. They include modules on core principles of the design of synthetic routes to simple structures, progressing to more advanced modules on catalysis and asymmetric catalysis, a module on carbohydrate chemistry and a module on the synthesis of drug-like targets on a laboratory and on a commercial scale. These are supported by courses on the use of spectroscopic techniques for structure elucidation and analysis, covering techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR), near infrared (NIR), Raman, UV-visible, Circular Dichroism and Emission spectroscopy. Two modules focus on medicinal and biological chemistry, and another addresses the process of protecting and commercialising ideas and inventions.
In addition, there is a 30 credit research project and students will be able to choose research topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. Students can select the research area from our vibrant research programme in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, which is informed by strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally.
Relevant research topics in the School include:
• Catalysis and new transformations research is directed towards design and discovery of new methodologies for metal-mediated and organic bond making and breaking processes to provide new techniques for building up molecular complexity (cascade processes) and to facilitate challenging reactions under mild conditions. Areas of application are multifaceted, including for example natural product synthesis, energy storage (hydrogen fuel economy, greenhouse gas fixation, water splitting), and greener processes.
• Carbohydrate chemistry research focuses on developing new synthetic methodologies towards carbohydrates, C- and S-glycosides, and towards oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates, and also includes the evaluation of the biological activity, specifically as antibiotics, vaccines, and anti-tumour agents.
• New materials for magnetic, medicinal and electronic applications research encompass the fabrication and application of complexes and assemblies for spin crossover (magnetic switches) and as electrochemical sensors.
• Substantial work is also directed towards the synthesis and application of metal-based drugs for anticancer and antimicrobial application.
Internship Opportunities*
Limited places are available for a 30 credit industrial placement as an alternative to the research project during the Summer Trimester.
*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed.
Subjects taught
The structure of the programme is as follows:
90 credits taught masters: 60 credits taught modules and 30 credits research project
Autumn Trimester:
• Organic Synthesis
• Metals in Biology
• Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
• Spectroscopic Techniques
• Professional Career Development
Spring Trimester:
• Organic Synthesis 2
• Modern Methods and Catalysis
• Chemistry Lab to Commercialisation
• Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis
• Advanced NMR and MS
• Advanced Organic Synthesis and Drug Discovery
Summer Trimester:
• Research Project
Limited places for a 30 credit industrial placement as an alternative to the research project, are available.
Stage 1 - Core
Chemistry Seminar Programme I CHEM40160
Advanced NMR Spectroscopy CHEM40370
Org Synthesis 1 CHEM40750
Org Synthesis 2 CHEM40760
Modern Catalysis CHEM40790
Topics in MCCB CHEM40810
Metals in Biology CHEM40830
Professional Career Developmen CHEM41210
Stage 1 - Option
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis CHEM40310
Commerialisation of Chemical Research CHEM40350
Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Compounds CHEM40360
Research project (Taught MSc) CHEM40880
Proc Dev & Scale Up (NUIG) CHEM40930
Advanced synthetic chem (MSc) CHEM40940
Advanced Inorganic Synthesis CHEM40950
Mass Spectrometry for Chemical CHEM41300
Chemistry MSc Internship CHEM41400
Entry requirements
This programme is intended for applicants with a Chemistry degree, or a degree with a significant component of Chemistry. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. 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.
These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.
Application dates
How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:
MSc Synthetic Chemistry Pharmaceutical & Fine Chem Indust FT (F105)
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.
Credits
90
Duration
1 year full-time. Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.
Fees
MSc Synthetic Chemistry (F105) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 8255
nonEU fee per year - € 25600
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees & Grants website.
Enrolment dates
Next Intake: 2024/2025 September.
Post Course Info
Careers & Employability
The MSc Synthetic Chemistry course provides a basis for graduates to enter the chemical, pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and materials industries. Other areas include analytical services and environmental protection.
This course is also a route for some students into a PhD programme. For example, the UCD School of Chemistry has vibrant research in areas such as catalysis, the synthesis of biologically active compounds and the development of new materials for magnetic and electronic applications, and it has strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and around the world.