Pharmaceutical Science Bachelor of Science

Recent advances in pharmaceutical science have focused on the rapid development of quality medicinal products that are safer, more effective and increasingly convenient for the patient. This has led to a significant demand for scientists with knowledge and skills related to the biopharmaceutical area. Pharmaceuticals are drugs made from a series of chemical reactions and biopharmaceuticals are medicines made using living organisms such as bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. The pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries comprise Ireland’s largest manufacturing sector and need highly trained graduates.

This degree is designed to develop your skill and competence to work as a laboratory analyst. The primary focus of the degree is on pharmaceutical analysis and it is very practically based, giving our students the key laboratory skills and the hands-on training industry requires. First year delivers core science modules and fundamental practical skills training and subsequent years build on these areas. In addition, students cover relevant key areas of chemistry and biology, such as Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Cell Culture. Students in year 3 also complete an analytical project on a pharmaceutical product using the skills and techniques developed during the course.

Our graduates who are well prepared for the challenges of the workplace have an acknowledged reputation as excellent laboratory analysts. Duties include setting up and running instrumentation, performing quality analysis of pharmaceutical products in line with approved procedures, recording and reporting results.