What is Pharmaceutical Science?
The pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry makes a vital contribution to society through the development and production of drugs such as antibiotics for infectious diseases, cancer treatment drugs and antiviral drugs for HIV. The pharmaceutical sector plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy with over 150 pharmaceutical companies, including 9 of the top pharmaceutical companies located in Ireland. There is a strong demand for graduates qualified in pharmaceutical science and employment prospects are excellent.
What is the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science course?
The BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science is a full time, four year, honours degree which can be chosen within the SE501 - Bachelor of Science (Hons) Common Entry Route. This course is designed to produce graduates for the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry. Students will be exposed to a broad range of subjects and laboratory instrumentation relevant to the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industry. The course also provides graduates with a range of transferable skills so that graduates are qualified for a wide range of science-based industries.
BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science work placement
A nine month work placement is included in the third year of the course.
Research at SETU Waterford
SETU Waterford lecturing staff teaching on this course are actively involved in a range of highly successful and well-funded research work related to pharmaceutical science. Collaborators include national and international universities and research institutes, and industrial partners from the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical sectors both in Ireland and abroad. Current research areas include: development of novel polymers for therapeutic drug delivery, biomedical research in eye treatment, novel analytical methods for pharmaceutical products, sensing devices for environmental analysis, biotechnology for drug synthesis and bioremediation.
Pharma Industry Awards
Innovative teaching
This programme recently won the ‘Most impactful use of Pearson courseware or services’ award in recognition of the blended learning approach in the delivery of the programmes. The common science programmes use an integrated on-line tutorial system that is delivered to small groups in an IT room supported by one or two members of staff. These weekly formative tutorials allow students to apply or practice the material covered in class that week and student receives individual attention and help at tutorials.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Introductory Biology | Cell Biology & Biochemistry |
| Introductory Chemistry | Physical & Organic Chemistry |
| Introductory Physics | Physics for Scientists |
| Introductory Mathematics | Mathematics for Scientists |
| Introduction to ICT for Scientists | Choose two of the following electives: |
| Good Laboratory Practice & Core Skills | *Introduction to Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science |
| *Science & Society | |
| * = Elective module | *Introduction to Modern Physics |
| *Introduction to Food Science | |
| *Plant Biology |
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Organic Chemistry and Biomolecules | Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry |
| Spectroscopic Techniques | Chromatographic and Electrophoric Techniques |
| Physical Chemistry | Inorganic Chemistry |
| Statistics for Scientists | Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Processing |
| Pharmaceutical Science | Biopharmaceutical Science |
| Laboratory Data Analysis and Presentation | Applied Mathematics for Scientists |
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Total Quality Management | Work Placement |
| Chromatographic Method Development and Validation | |
| Pharmaceutical Biotechnology | |
| Pharmaceutical and Natural Products | |
| Advanced Spectroscopic Analysis of Organic Compounds | |
| Inorganic & Physical Chemistry |
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Advanced Techniques in Pharmaceutical Science | Advanced Inorganic & Photochemistry |
| Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry | Advanced Quality Methodologies |
| Pharmaceutical Synthesis and Characterisation | Pharmaceutical Formulation & Drug Delivery |
| Regulatory Affairs & Compliance | Pharmacology, Drug Design & Synthesis |
| Research Methodology & Literature Review | Research Project (Double Module) |
Leaving Cert: Entry requirements for the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science:
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
How to apply for the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science on the CAO:
The entry route for this programme is from SE501 - Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Common Entry).
At the end of year 1, students must confirm their degree option and may change their selection up to that date.
Advanced and Equivalent Entry for the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science:
An honours degree in pharmaceutical science will provide graduates with….
- Work experience (9 months) in the Pharmaceutical /Biopharmaceutical Industries.
- The opportunity to participate in an award winning programme.
- The opportunity to learn from lecturers with excellent track records in teaching and research.
- Hands on practical experience using state of the art industrially relevant equipment.
- Skills that are much sought after in a range of sectors including the Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industries and transferrable to industries such as the Medical Device and Food and Drinks Sectors.
- The opportunity to teach after completing a Professional Master of Education.
Our graduates work in a variety of different areas such as
- Laboratory analysis (analytical instrumentation, wet chemistry, analysis of production samples, technology development).
- Research and development (new drug technologies and methods of administering drugs, new drug development including anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, heart medication etc., development of new process technologies).
- Quality control and quality assurance (QC analyst, regulatory affairs, compliance, Quality Assurance advisor, customer complaints).
- Management roles in the above areas.
- Technical sales and technical writing.
- Education.
- Entrepreneurship, with some having set up their own successful businesses.
Follow on Study for BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science graduates.
- Following the programme students can apply for further postgraduate studies (Taught Masters programmes as well as MSc and PhD by Research) within SETU Waterford. Research may be carried out within SETU Waterford’s research centres such as the PMBRC, which is award winning, has industry links, is part of large European networks and completes top quality research.
- Graduates have also completed MSc and PhD programmes at Universities both Nationally and Internationally (including an exciting opportunity with NASA).
Career Opportunities for BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science graduates:
A degree in pharmaceutical science will provide graduates with skills that are much sought after in a range of sectors including:
-
Pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical industries
-
Quality control & quality assurance
-
Laboratory analysis
-
Research & development
-
Education & teaching
-
Food & drinks industry
Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU Waterford or other third-level colleges
Video: An International Perspective on Pharmaceutical Science at SETU Waterford
International students studying pharmaceutical science
This programme attracts many international students from around the world each year. There are many supports in place and students will be given lots of guidance from our very experienced staff in the South East Technological University International Office. To find an international perspective to the course and Department of Science have a look at our video.
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