Immune Therapies (P.Grad.Dip./P.Grad.Cert.)

Overview

Course Overview

This 2-year part-time postgraduate degree is the only national part-time postgraduate course in the immunotherapy field, with no other programme offering an academic experience with this defined underlying theme of immune therapies and immunotherapeutics.

A rapidly developing area in the biopharmaceutical sector, therapies that target the immune system are having remarkable success in treatments for conditions including cancer, autoimmunity, metabolic disorders and neurological conditions. This growing interest is driven by the exciting clinical benefits observed in trials of next generation DNA/RNA vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, checkpoint inhibitors, cell-based ‘living drugs’, and viral vectors.

Taught modules cover basic, advanced, clinical and cancer immunology, immunotherapeutics, computational immunology, biostatistics, and entrepreneurship.

Is This Course For Me?

The M.Sc. in Immune therapies is designed for professionals in the biopharmaceutical industry seeking to acquire industry relevant knowledge in immune therapy design, manufacturing, and clinical use, as well as healthcare professionals looking to acquire a deep understanding of fundamental immunology and immunotherapy in relation to autoimmune diseases and cancer. This course also suits those seeking employment in a biopharmaceutical, medical communications, or clinical trial’s role.

Career Opportunities

The presence in Ireland of some of the world’s largest biopharma companies, all of which have interests in the area of immune therapies, is generating significant demand for graduates with relevant knowledge and industry-relevant skillsets.

Graduates of this course would be suited to work in the pharmaceutical industry in roles such as medical science liaison, medical information, market access, medical communications, therapeutic area specialists or clinical or basic research, to name but a few. This course also provides an excellent opportunity for scientists who wish to upskill to continue and advance to high level jobs in the Irish biopharma industry or continue in further biomedical-related research.

Course Structure

Students take four modules, totalling 30 ECTS, for the award of Postgraduate Certificate with a further four modules, totalling 60 ECTS, for the award of Postgraduate Diploma.

This course will be delivered via a blended approach: 50% online and 50% in person. Lectures will also be streamed live via Blackboard Collaborate for students who cannot attend in person. Students will be required to attend (virtually or in person) 5 hours of lectures/tutorials per week

Course Content

P.Grad.Cert students take four modules: Fundamental Immunology: Immunopathology & Immunotherapeutic Targets;  Advanced Immunotechnologies; Cancer Immunology & Cancer Immunotherapeutics.

P.Grad.Dip. students take all the above as well as a further four modules: Autoimmune Disease & Immunotherapeutics; Immunotherapeutic Related Computation and Communication; Inflammatory & Infectious Disease Immunotherapeutics and Innovation & Creativity in Healthcare.

Click here for further information on modules/subjects.