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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Engineering - Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering

Course Fact File

Code	MENPBE
Duration	Full-time 12 months; Part-time minimum of 24 months, maximum of 60 months
Teaching Mode	Full-time, Part-Time
Qualifications	MEngSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	6 September 2024

Course Outline

The MEngSc in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering is a part-time course running for a minimum of 24 months (maximum 60 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. It is also offered as a full-time course running for 12 months from the date of first registration.

This course is principally organised to accommodate part-time students who are working in industry by holding lectures and tutorials in full-day sessions every 3-4 weeks, mostly on a Saturday. Full-time students will follow the same lecturing regime but do the full complement of necessary modules and research activity within one year, whereas part-time students will do their modules and research typically over two years.

This course provides the opportunity to gain a formal qualification in areas of particular relevance to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry; to upskill your competence for these important industrial sectors, including topics such as product containment, powder/particle technology, design of API and secondary production facilities, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), design of classified facilities, aseptic processing facility design, utilities, and services, data analysis and process validation.

Programme Structure

The course comprises 60 credits of taught modules, which after completion students may select to finish their studies and graduate with a PG Diploma.

Students who choose to do the MEngSc will in addition to the 60 credits of taught modules, also complete a dissertation in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering (30 credits). Note that only non-EU students can apply to register for the Full-Time MEngSc track.

Part I (Choose 60 credits)

• PE6004 Biopharmaceutical Support Systems (5 credits)
  
• PE6010 Pharmaceutical Engineering (5 credits)
  
• PE6011 Biopharmaceutical Engineering (5 credits)
  
• PE6012 Pharmaceutical Process Equipment, Materials and Mechanical Design (5 credits)
  
• PE6013 Powder and Particle Technology and Unit Operations (5 credits)
  
• PE6019 Process Analytical Technology (5 credits)
  
• PE6023 Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Utilities (5 credits)
  
• PE6027 Advanced Biopharmaceutical Engineering (5 credits)
• CM6010 Introductory Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5 credits)
• PE6016 Pharmaceutical Industry; Manufacturing and Optimisation (5 credits)
• PE6018 Pharmaceutical Process Validation and Quality (5 credits)
  
• PE6022 Aseptic Manufacturing Design (5 credits)
  
• PE6024 Advanced Process Design & Safety Engineering (5 credits)
  
• PE6026 Project Engineering - From Concept to Completion (5 credits)

Part II (30 credits)

• PE6021 Dissertation in Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Engineering

Course Practicalities

This course can be taken full-time over 12 months (non-EU students only) or part-time running over two years (24 months). Part-time students have the option to exit with either a Postgraduate Diploma or a Masters in Engineering Sciences.

This programme is principally organised to accommodate part-time students who are working in industry by holding lectures and tutorials in full-day sessions every 3-4 weeks, mostly on a Saturday.

• Start-up sessions over two days (half a day per 5 credit module) (four contact hours per 5 credit module) (Fridays and Saturdays at the end of August/start September and start January).
• Followed up by tutorial sessions (every two to three weeks on Saturdays) on respective modules throughout the term. Tutorial sessions involve six contact hours.

Assessment

Assessment is by continuous assessment and end-of-period exams.

Who teaches this course?

Staff from the Department of Process and Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, and several guest lecturers from industry.

Why Choose This Course

This course aims to fill a need for the continuing professional development (CPD) and postgraduate education of engineers working in the pharmaceutical industry. This course covers issues of particular concern to the pharmaceutical industry such as product containment, powder/particle technology, design of API and secondary production facilities, current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP), design of classified facilities, aseptic processing facility design, validation, etc.

Skills and Careers Information

The course offers graduates working in the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry as well as students and professionals with basic engineering backgrounds/experience the opportunity to further develop their skill set and employability across a wider range of roles in the industry through enhanced continuing professional development.

Through the opportunities provided by participation in the course, you are provided with opportunities to enable greater cohesion and understanding among inter- and multi-disciplinary teams while earning a formal qualification in engineering.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a BE (Hons) or BEng (Hons) Degree or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade II, or a level 8 BSc degree, with a minimum grade Second Class Honours Grade II, where the BSc graduate has a recognised qualification in Process or Chemical Engineering (e.g. the Diploma in Process and Chemical Engineering at UCC or equivalent).
• However, applicants with equivalent academic qualifications and suitable experience may be accepted subject to the approval of the Programme Director under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). In all cases, the course of study for each applicant must be approved by the Programme Director.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

All Applicants

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please upload your CV. 

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

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