Pharmaceutical Science

What is Pharmaceutical Science?

People in Ireland are living longer, healthier and more active lives, partly due to medical progress, and partly due to advancements in pharmaceutical science. Not only is pharmaceutical science critical to the health of the nation, it also plays a key role in the Irish economy. Ireland is one of the key locations for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, and the Irish pharmaceutical industry has become one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals in the world.  Over 150 pharmaceutical companies operate have plants in Ireland, including 9 of the world’s top 10 companies. This has created a strong demand for graduates qualified in pharmaceutical science, and employment prospects are excellent.

What is the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science Course?

• The BSc in Pharmaceutical Science course is a full time, three year degree that qualifies graduates for employment in the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industries and related sectors.
• The course enables graduates to obtain a worthwhile qualification after three years of study.
• Students will study a broad range of scientific subjects that are important for the discovery, development and manufacture of drugs and therapies.
• A strong emphasis is placed on practical work in the laboratory, where students will get hands-on experience of using a wide range of techniques and instrumentation.
• A research project is included in the final year, allowing the student to work independently in an area of interest to them, developing their research and problem-solving skills.
• The programme allows a more flexible progression to further qualifications such as transfer to the fourth year of a related honours degree at SETU Waterford or elsewhere.

Pharmaceutical Science at SETU Waterford

Students are exposed to a wide range of state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment at SETU Waterford and learn from researchers actively involved in cutting edge areas such as separation science, pharmaceutical drug delivery, biotechnology and environmental science.

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.

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 sector 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.