About Chemistry - Analysis Of Pharmaceutical Compounds (msc) in University College Cork

MSc degree courses are provided in three key areas of Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Analytical Chemistry and in Pharmaceutical Analysis. They are designed to provide advanced knowledge and hands-on training in modern analytical instrumental techniques. Separation science, sensors, and spectroscopic techniques are key elements alongside chemometrics, instrumentation and advanced research project completion. Students will have the flexibility to specialise in a chosen field and further advancement to Ph.D. research is available to highly motivated and talented postgraduates.

The MSc in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds is a one-year course designed to provide you with the theoretical and practical skills for employment in a diverse range of industries that require analytical expertise. The course curriculum consists of six months of lectures, laboratory practical sessions, career service workshops, industry-based seminars/workshops, site visits to industry and a six-month research project (industry, research institute, aboard).

The curriculum has been developed with input from staff in the chemistry department and also by the industry advisory board, to provide you with the necessary skills required by employers. Students have the choice to complete the six-month research project in a national or international industry or university environment. They also have the opportunity to present their research at the annual George Guilbault Symposium that is sponsored by industry with a number of awards being presented to students at this event.

On completion of this MSc course, you will be able to:

• identify, formulate, analyse and solve problems in the analysis of chemical compounds
• outline fundamental and applied aspects of chemical analysis
• design and carry out a method of pharmaceutical and chemical analysis, including instrumental analysis
• prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion
• communicate effectively with the chemistry, environmental and pharmaceutical communities
• carry out research and method development in chemical, pharmaceutical and environmental analysis
• prepare a written research report in the form of a dissertation

Why Choose This Course

This is one of the most established Analytical MSc courses in Ireland and is amongst the more popular MSc courses studied in UCC. This MSc course, in particular, has great international success in attracting students from all over the World due to the industry-led teaching agenda. The industry-relevant curriculum offered to students and the opportunity to complete a six-month placement in industry or an academic research lab has also impacted greatly on the student experience. The global recognition of the course is also evident from our international alumni that maintain contact through a dedicated LinkedIn group.

This course also has an Industry Advisory Board that provides crucial industry feedback on both the teaching strategy and practice for the taught postgraduate course in Analytical Chemistry. There are currently 18 companies on this board with representatives from the Pharmaceutical, BioPharma, Biomedical Device, Environment and Food/Beverage sectors. There are a number of guest lectures from industry and a dedicated industry led module where students participate in a series of workshops either delivered on site with the industry partner or hosted by the Tyndall National Institute.

Annually, the George Guilbault Symposium provides the MSc students with an opportunity to present their Thesis projects. This event is run over two days, with all students presenting. An evening reception also takes places where students have the chance to present a poster on their research work and engage with the industry. Students are shortlisted for presenting to the industry judges on the second day and these presentations are distributed amongst several keynote presentations made by industry. All the awards (Best Presentation and Best Poster) are sponsored by industry.

This MSc course in Analysis of Pharmaceutical Compounds gives students a broad foundation in analytical chemistry and its application in an industrial setting with emphasis on method selection, development and validation for pharmaceutical compounds and the application to quality control and trace drug analysis. It also provides them with an opportunity to gain much sought-after and valued industry relevant training and qualification in an analytical division. This course is internationally recognised for its award-winning and high-quality students with >90% of students finding employment in industry or going on to further their studies through Ph.D.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

During the second and third semester (April to September), students complete a six-month research project on a topic related to analytical chemistry. Industry-based projects in these areas are managed by a dedicated placement officer who facilitates career workshops during which students prepare for and are interviewed by staff from companies interested in hosting students. For students interested in an academic career (Ph.D. studies), projects are offered in a broad range of research areas utilising modern research techniques. These such projects are usually done within the Chemistry Department or supervised by Principle Investigators located in the Universities research centres such as the Tyndall National Institute.

There also exists the opportunity for placement aboard, where students have a choice of destination. There currently exists collaborations with research institutes in Belgium (imec), The Netherlands (NFI), France (CNRS) and Northern Ireland (Almac).

All research projects are undertaken in consultation with an academic supervisor and examiner. Those in the industry also have an industry supervisor.

Skills and Careers Information

The MSc courses aim to provide you with the necessary skill set to develop methods and solve problems as demanded by many industries today (including pharmaceutical, environmental and forensic analytical laboratories). You are also introduced to research and innovation in analytical science.

Many analytical chemists, pharmaceutical chemical analysts and environmental chemical analysts go on to pursue careers in industry, government and forensic laboratories and opportunities for further research often result.

The course sets out to bridge the gap between the current undergraduate degree knowledge and what is relevant and expected by the industry. There is a strong emphasis on developing transferable skills and ensuring that the career path for the student is either industry or academically focused. A large percentage of students gain employment in the industry after completion of the course, however, a number of graduates also decide to progress to international Ph.D. opportunities.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

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