Pharmaceutical Science

Bachelor of Science

Pharmaceutical Science student conducting research
Pharmaceutical Science student conducting research
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
16
Duration
3 Years
Course Code
MT 772
Entry Requirements
282 Points in 2023 and meet minimum entry requirements as listed below.
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Kerry South Campus, Kerry
Course NFQ Level
Level 7

Dr Gerard Corkery

T: +353 66 714 5610

Email: (email)

Overview

Recent advances in pharmaceutical science have focused on the rapid development of quality medicinal products that are safer, more effective and increasingly convenient for the patient. This has led to a significant demand for scientists with knowledge and skills related to the biopharmaceutical area. Pharmaceuticals are drugs made from a series of chemical reactions and biopharmaceuticals are medicines made using living organisms such as bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. The pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries comprise Ireland’s largest manufacturing sector and need highly trained graduates.

This degree is designed to develop your skill and competence to work as a laboratory analyst. The primary focus of the degree is on pharmaceutical analysis and it is very practically based, giving our students the key laboratory skills and the hands-on training industry requires. First year delivers core science modules and fundamental practical skills training and subsequent years build on these areas. In addition, students cover relevant key areas of chemistry and biology, such as Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Cell Culture. Students in year 3 also complete an analytical project on a pharmaceutical product using the skills and techniques developed during the course.

Our graduates who are well prepared for the challenges of the workplace have an acknowledged reputation as excellent laboratory analysts. Duties include setting up and running instrumentation, performing quality analysis of pharmaceutical products in line with approved procedures, recording and reporting results.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

  • Biology: basic biological concepts, processes, systems and structures
  • Chemistry: fundamental chemical concepts and terminology and their application
  • Essential Scientific Maths: appropriate numerical, algebraic and graphical skills and their applications
  • Scientific Communication and Computer Applications: commonly used computer applications in laboratory analysis and skills for interpersonal communication including oral and written presentations
  • Good Laboratory Practice: laboratory design and safety, general laboratory techniques and analytical measurements
  • Overview of the Science Industry: review of the science industry in Ireland focussing on the pharma/biopharma sector
  • Physics Concepts: basic physics principles, concepts, ideas and terminologies and their application
  • Mathematics and Statistics for Science: analytical and numerical approach to problem solving; statistics to describe and analyse scientific data

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in five subjects i.e. O6/H7 in five subjects. The five subjects must include Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

 

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

Graduates take up employment opportunities in laboratory settings across a wide range of sectors carrying out roles in the areas of:

  • Product analysis and testing
  • Quality control and quality assurance
  • Calibration of instrumentation and validation of procedures
  • Manufacturing and bioprocessing
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Technical support

Progression

Further Studies

Suitably qualified Level 7 graduates are eligible to progress to year four of the Level 8 BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science or other related courses.

Question Time

No, but an active interest in science and at least one Leaving Certificate science subject would be useful. First year modules focus on the key areas relevant to the programme of study and assume no previous knowledge of the subject at Leaving Certificate level.

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