M.Sc./Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology (Online)

Course Information

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Trinity is the leading research School of Pharmacy in Ireland. This M.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Sciences programme is the only such degree offered in Ireland by a specialist School of Pharmacy centre.

Contributing Principal Investigators in the School have outstanding track records in basic pharmaceutical sciences but they are also widely involved in industrial and commercial activities, in consultancy and in product development. Successful university spin outs from the School include Solvotrin Therapeutics Ltd. (www.solvotrin.com) and Trino Therapeutics Ltd. (www.trinotherapeutics.com). They also actively contribute to the recently established and Science Foundation Ireland co-funded Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceuticals Centre (http://www.sspc.ie/).

The M.Sc./P.Grad.Dip.in Pharmaceutical Sciences is an integrated multidisciplinary programme addressing fundamental and applied aspects of drug and drug product discovery, regulation, development, production and analysis with particular emphasis on the regulatory environment in which the Pharmaceutical Industry operates. The objective of the programme is to equip science graduates with knowledge and skills in the pharmaceutical sciences. It will help prepare candidates for careers in pharmaceutical research relevant to academic and manufacturing sectors. It is also expected that the course will help to stimulate interest in the pharmaceutical sciences and associated product and service innovation opportunities. The course was established in 1999 in consultation with stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry. Its graduates have enjoyed successful careers in manufacturing, in R&D and in regulatory affairs.

Excellence in Teaching and Learning

The M.Sc./Diploma in Pharmaceutical Sciences is delivered by highly experienced academics from the leading School of Pharmacy in Ireland and is supported by a panel of visiting lecturers from other academic institutions, pharmaceutical industry and regulatory bodies. The programme consists of 10 compulsory taught modules and, for the M.Sc. degree, a research dissertation.

Regulatory Aspects and Industrial Pharmacy - Prof. John Gilmer
This module deals with the organization of a pharmaceutical manufacturing site, the quality regime for pharmaceutical production and its regulation, professional roles within the pharmaceutical business and how the context in which pharmaceutical product and service innovation takes place.  

Natural Product Analysis and Regulation - Assoc. Prof. Fabio Boylan
This module introduces natural products (analysis and regulation) and their importance in pharmaceutical sciences.

Spectroscopic Methods for Drug Analysis - Assoc. Prof. Astrid Sasse
This module is concerned with the theory and applications of spectroscopic methods to pharmaceutical analysis including drug product qualification and drug discovery and development.

Molecular Pharmaceutics and Advanced Drug Delivery - Assoc. Prof. Lidia Tajber
This module is concerned with advanced drug delivery, with factors influencing drug absorption and distribution and related in vitro methods for predicting and explaining drug absorption from the intestinal tract.

Biopharmaceutical Sciences - Prof. John Gilmer & Assoc. Prof. Carlos Medina
This module is concerned with the properties of biopharmaceuticals, their stability issues, methods of characterisations and analytical aspects, biosimilar products as well as formulation and secondary processing of large therapeutic molecules.   

Pharmaceutical and Medical Nanotechnology - Assoc. Prof. Maria Jose Santos-Martinez
This module deals with the potential applications of nanotechnology to the practice of medicine (diagnosis, treatment and follow up of human disease), the relevance of toxicological studies related to the use/exposure of nanomaterials and Regulatory Policies of nanomaterials.

Drug Discovery and Development - Assoc. Prof. Carlos Medina
This module provides an overview of the drug discovery and development process and a detailed knowledge of the principles and concepts of pharmacology.

Biotechnology - Prof. Lorraine O’Driscoll
This module covers the characteristics of gene structure and expression, gene products and their properties, genetic engineering, and methods of upstream and downstream processes in biotechnological manufacturing.

Formulation Development and Evaluation - Assoc. Prof. Lidia Tajber
This module provides knowledge and understanding of present physical methods used in preformulation as well as formulation and processing of liquid, semi-solid and solid pharmaceutical preparations.

Professional Skills in Pharmaceutical Sciences - Asst. Prof. Niamh O'Boyle
This module is concerned with the practice and development of competencies in laboratory techniques, research skills, statistical methods, analytical validation and effective communication in the pharmaceutical sciences in preparation for a career in the industry.

Entry Requirements and International Students

Applicants are accepted, subject to the availability of places (18 places are offered each year), from holders of honors degrees in a relevant Science discipline e.g. Pharmacy, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Pharmacology. Equivalent primary and/or postgraduate qualifications are considered, particularly with relevant professional experience. Applications will be evaluated by the Course Coordinators in consultation with the Course Committee and Dean of Graduate Studies as appropriate.

Only complete applications (CV, full academic transcript, two references and at least one of these must be academic, English Language Competency) will be reviewed. We welcome applications from international students (https://www.tcd.ie/study/international/how-to-apply/entry-requirements.php)

Class of 2023

 

Fees and Applications

Applicants should consult the current Postgraduate Prospectus of Trinity College Dublin for information on fees.
Prospective applicants are invited to discuss their intentions with the course coordinators: Dr Maria Jose Santos-Martinez (santosmm@tcd.ie) & Dr Eduardo Ruiz-Hernandez (ruizhere@tcd.ie) before submitting their application, further details can be supplied at this time.