M.Sc./Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis

The course is available for full-time study over one calendar year or part-time over two calendar years and consists of lectures, workshops and laboratory work. In addition each student is required either to write a major essay literature on a designated topic in the area of pharmaceutical analysis. Students proceeding to an MSc degree will be required to undertake a research project and present a detailed scientific report at the end of the course. The course is intended for suitably qualified graduates currently working in or aspiring to work in the Pharmaceutical Industry - in particular non Pharmacy graduates employed in quality control or quality assurance roles requiring specialised training, retraining or upgrading of skills. The course may also be attractive to technical managers in regulatory affairs, product development and other related areas.

Course Aims and Objectives

The objective of the M.Sc./ Diploma course is to equip graduates with the appropriate analysis skills required by the Pharmaceutical and Veterinary Manufacturing Industries.

• To give graduates of a non-Pharmacy background an understanding of the special regulatory demands which govern analysis in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• To give graduates a good understanding of the principles of Pharmaceutical analysis
• To study the application of Pharmaceutical analysis with emphasis on both theory and practice,
• To provide the necessary supporting research methodology and demonstrate its application to practical problems.

To ensure that graduates have an adequate knowledge base in pharmaceutical analysis and related regulatory aspects, the emphasis in the course will be as follows:

• Regulatory Issues and Pharmaceutical Analysis
• Pharmaceutical Analysis Methodology
• Method Validation
• Specialist Pharmaceutical Techniques.

The MSc course consists of six core modules and two optional taught modules. The syllabus for the six core modules includes lectures on:

Regulatory aspects of pharmaceutical analysis, principles of formulation, chromatographic analysis, physical methods of analysis, pharmacopoeial methods and the analysis of low level drug analytes. The optional modules are selected from the following: pharmacological drug assay methods, spectroscopic methods of drug analysis, specialised pharmaceutical methods and implementation of GLP/GMP.

The taught modules are supported by lectures and workshops on presentation and research skills and organised visits to industrial laboratories.

The course is taught mainly by University staff, although there is a contribution from specialist visiting lecturers. The research project may be conducted either in the School of Pharmacy or at the students place of employment but in either case supervision is exercised by a member of the School of Pharmacy academic staff.

Examinations

Overall assessment of candidates is based on tutor marked assignments during the course work and written examinations typically held in December and May each year. The MSc project report will typically be examined in September.

Entry Requirements

Applications will be accepted, subject to places being available, from those holding an honours degree (II-1 or better) in a relevant Science discipline (e.g. Pharmacy, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and other appropriate primary degrees eg I.T., Medicine or Veterinary. Other qualifications equivalent to a II-1 honours degree with relevant professional experience (eg managerial level responsibility) will be considered, after an interview with the course director and consultation with the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Fees, Applications

Applicants should consult the current Postgraduate Prospectus of Trinity College Dublin for information on fees.

Application for admission to the course should be made online through http://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/ to be received normally not later than 31st July of the proposed year of entry.

Prospective applicants are invited to discuss their intentions with the course director, Dr. JF Gilmer: Tel: 01-896 2795, Fax: 01-896 2793, Email: gilmerjf@tcd.ie, before application, when further details may be provided.

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