Biopharmaceutical Science
Bachelor of Science
Sonraí an Chúrsa
Course Code | SG_SBIOP_J07 |
---|---|
Céim | 7 |
Fad ama | 2 years |
Creidmheasanna | 60 |
Modh Seachadta | Online |
Suímh campais | Sligo |
Modh Seachadta | Páirtaimseartha |
Forbhreathnú Cúrsa
This programme in Biopharmaceutical Science aims to provide students with the knowledge, know-how, training and practical experience to enable them to gain employment in the Biopharmaceutical or Biomedical industries. One of the key features of the programme is that it combines cutting-edge skills in Biopharmaceutical Science and Medical Biotechnology with an understanding of the legislative and quality control system framework which underpins the industry. A number of the modules incorporate hands-on, laboratory work at the state-of-the-art, NIBRT facility in Dublin.
The course is offered in a online manner utilising ATU Sligo’s online delivery technologies. Students are required to travel to NIBRT for two days practical training per semester for the Cell Culture, Protein Purification and Bioanalytical Techniques Practical (elective) module.
Students must choose 2 elective modules (either both Bioanalytical modules or Bioprocess modules) during their 3rd semester. Students are required to complete a total of 60 credits for the full award.
Please note: This programme is jointly offered by ATU Sligo and NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training).
Please note, you may be required to take some time off work for the below:
Exams
Christmas Exams:
Year 1: 2 days in January each year
Year 2: 3 days in January each year
Summer Exams:
Year 1: 2 days in May each year
Year 2: 3 days in May each year
Sonraí an Chúrsa
Bliain 1
Seimeastar | Sonraí an Mhodúil | Creidmheasanna | Éigeantach / Roghnach |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Facilites and UtilitiesThis module aims to provide students with a good understanding of the main support service areas involving both facilities and utilities that underpin the modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry. Torthaí Foghlama 1. To provide an explanation of the technical and managerial challenges associated with the design and construction of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility. 2. To appreciate the major elements of these projects from site master planning through conceptual and detailed design and onto commissioning and qualification. 3. To address the operational requirementsfor the manufacturing facility within an overall design. 4. To explain key concepts incorporated into cleanroom design and classification. 5. Describe the key principles involved in cleaning and sterilisation including CIP and SIP systems. 6. To understand the key elements of treatment and purification plant used to prepare water fit for bioprocessing operations. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Cell Culture Processing Level 7.This module aims to provide students with a broad understanding of the theory of cell culture processing as it relates to the biosynthesis of modern biopharmaceutical products. It will include a combination of theory and practical laboratory work. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Outline the fundamentals of cell biology, cell culture processing and explain the process kinetics relating to cell growth. |
10 | Mandatory |
2 |
Protein Purification L7.This course aims to provide students with a broad understanding and practical appreciation of the main theoretical concepts and principles of protein purification (downstream processing). This will include both theory some relevant laboratory practicals. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Outline the main elements of a downstream process design for protein capture and purification. |
10 | Mandatory |
2 |
Formulation and Fill-FinishThis module aims to provide students with an understanding of the main considerations in the formulation and fill finish of a biopharmaceutical drug. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Describe the key principles of aseptic processing as they relate to drug fill-finish operations. |
05 | Mandatory |
Bliain 2
Seimeastar | Sonraí an Mhodúil | Creidmheasanna | Éigeantach / Roghnach |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
BioPharmaceutical Quality SystemsThis module will demonstrate the importance of the systems approach both to quality and manufacturing within the highly regulated biopharmaceutical sector. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Evaluate the development and importance of Quality System Standards. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Bioanalytical Techniques L7 Theory.This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of the theory, practice and interpretation of the various pharmacopoeia tests and instrumentation routinely employed in a Biopharmaceutical Quality Control laboratory to assess the quality of raw materials, intermediate and finished-goods product. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Interpret the European Pharamcopoeia and US Pharmacopoeia for QC Testing. 2. Outline and evaluate the basic test methods routinely employed in the analysis of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical products. 3. Describe the typical analytical equipment employed for performance of the analytical test methods. |
05 | Elective |
1 |
Bioanalytial Techniques L7 Practical.This module aims to provide students with a broad knowledge of the practice of the various pharmacopoeia test methods and associated laboratory instrumentation routinely employed in a Biopharmaceutical Quality Control laboratory to assess the quality of raw materials, intermediate and finished-goods product. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Interpret the European Pharamcopoeia and US Pharmacopoeia for QC Testing. |
05 | Elective |
1 |
Bioprocess Engineering PracticalThis Biopharma laboratory practical module will provide students with practical knowledge, know-how and skills associated with the monitoring and control of modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing systems. The relevant learning is achieved through the completion of a sequence of laboratory-based and pilot-plant based practical's and experiments using dedicated control system test rigs that are designed to impart the required expertise. There will also be some research project work associated with the laboratory practical's. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Demonstrate a range of practical know-how and skills associated with relevant practical lab. control and monitoring systems. |
05 | Elective |
1 |
Bioprocess Engineering TheoryThis module aims to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of the key elements of bioprocess engineering control systems and the key role they play in the processing of modern biopharmaceutical products. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Explain the business case and overall critical importance for the design of process control systems in bioprocessing. 5. Explain the role and operation of SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems for modern bioprocessing. |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Lean SigmaThis module examines various aspects of the application of Lean Processing and Six Sigma principles and tools as they apply to the modern manufacturing environment. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Evaluate and discuss the key principles of Lean Manufacturing and their typical applications for manufacturing. 5. For a typical manufacturing operation demonstrate the practical application of a combination of Lean-Sigma tools. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Biopharmaceutical ValidationThis course aims to provide the student with a general understanding of the various aspects of process and support systems validation for the manufacturing of modern biopharmaceuticals. It will also deal with the various risks inherent in bioprocessing technologies and how the application of effective validation systems and methodologies assists in the control and management of such risks. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Describe themain stages involvedin a systematic approach to the validationof bioprocessing systems. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Biocontamination ControlThis module aims to provide students with a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the general principles and methods of Biocontamination control; establishing and verifying the formal system for contamination control and associated test methods and requirements; traditional and modern methods of microbial detection; expressing, interpreting and reporting results; training and documentation requirements. Torthaí Foghlama 1. Discuss and evaluate the most relevant biocontamination organismsfor the biopharmaceutical industry and the typical sources of each. |
05 | Mandatory |
Uaireanta Staidéir Molta in aghaidh na seachtaine
Scrúdú agus Measúnú
Riachtanas Tinrimh ar an gCampas
Dul chun cinn
The B.Sc. BioPharmaceutical Science Level 7 provides an excellent foundation for the student who wishes to progress to a B.Sc. (Hons) BioPharmaceutical Science Level 8, and then may progress to post graduate studies if desired.
Download a prospectus
Riachtanais Iontrála
Level 6 of 120 credits on the NFQ (Higher Certificate) in Science or in a cognate area.
Applicants who may not have the aforementioned qualifications but who may have relevant industrial experience (typically 5 years duration in a GMP environment) may apply for consideration through the ATU Sligo RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) process.
RPL
Applicants with other qualifications and with relevant work experience may also be considered through ATU Sligos Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) process.
RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal or by contacting our admissions team at admissions.sligo@atu.ie
English requirement
Applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of English language proficiency. For further information on English language requirements click here
Gairmeacha
Graduates from this programme can expect to find employment in the Biopharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Diagnostics or Pharmaceutical, sectors as well as more broadly in the area of analytical science. In the development of this programme emphasis has been placed on aligning the course content with the skills required by the Pharmaceutical / Biopharmaceutical industry, whilst ensuring that there is sufficient flexibility to allow students to move laterally into associated careers.
Graduates are typically employed in Scientific, Operations and Quality Assurance / Control positions in the Biopharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry sectors both in Ireland and abroad. Their work may involve the manufacture of novel medicines from living cells, immunodiagnostics, bioanalytics, process validation and process optimization.
Further Information
Cé Ba Chóir Iarratas a Dhéanamh?
Graduates from this programme can expect to find employment in the Biopharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Medical Diagnostics or Pharmaceutical, sectors as well as more broadly in the area of analytical science.
Eolas Teagmhála
Life Sciences