BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science
Course code: WD147
What is Pharmaceutical Science?
The Pharmaceutical industry makes a vital contribution to society through the development and production of drugs such as antibiotics for infectious diseases, cancer treatment drugs and antiviral drugs for HIV. The pharmaceutical sector plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy with over 150 pharmaceutical companies, including 13 of the world’s top 15. There is a strong demand for graduates qualified in pharmaceutical science and employment prospects are excellent.
What is the BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science?
This is a new four year honours degree aimed at producing graduates of the pharmaceutical industry. Students will be exposed to a broad range of subjects and laboratory instrumentation relevant to the pharmaceutical industry. A six-month work placement is included in the third year of the programme. The course also provides graduates with a range of transferable skills so that graduates are qualified for a wide range of science-based industries.
Career Opportunities
A degree in pharmaceutical science will provide graduates with skills that are much sought after in a range of sectors including:
- Pharmaceutical & biopharmaceutical industries
- Quality control & quality assurance
- Laboratory analysis
- Research & development
- Education and teaching
- Food & drinks industry
Follow on Study
MSc and PhD by research.
WIT lecturing staff, teaching on this programme, are actively involved in a range of highly successful and well-funded research work related to pharmaceutical science. Collaborators include national and international universities and research institutes and industrial partners from the pharmaceutical sector both in Ireland and abroad. Current research areas includes; development of novel polymers for therapeutic drug delivery biomedical research in eye treatment, novel analytical methods for pharmaceutical products, sensing devices for environmental analysis, biotechnology for drug synthesis and bioremediation.
Course Outline
| Years 1 & 2 Semesters 1 - 4 | |
| The first two years introduce the student to the broad areas of chemistry, biology, physics, computing and mathematics. | |
| Some specialised subjects include: | |
| Pharmaceutical Science Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Environmental Science Biopharmaceutical Science Laboratory Data Analysis Spectroscopic Techniques Chromatographic Techniques Physical & Inorganic Chemistry Forensic Science Good Laboratory Practice Science & Society |
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Year 3 & 4 Semester 5 - 8 |
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Year 3 includes a six-month work placement in industry and year four features a major research project. This allows the student to integrate various skills and knowledge acquired throughout this course. |
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Some specialised subjects include: |
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| Pharmaceuticals & Natural Products Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Formulation & Drug Delivery Regulatory Affairs & Compliance Drug Delivery Pharmacology, Drug Design & Synthesis Quality Management Manufacturing & Production Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Research Methodology Advanced Analytical Techniques Research Project |
Course Facts
Course Title: BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science
Course Code: WD147
Course Level: 8
Duration: 4 years
Course Entry
Leaving Certificate:
- Total number of different subjects at grade D or better: 6
- Number of subjects at higher level grade C or better: 2
Required Subjects:
- English/Irish: OC3/HD3
- Mathematics: OD3/HD3
For further information
Course Leader: Claire Lennon
Ph: 051 834048. Email: clennon@wit.ie
Recent Entry Points
| Year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Minimum Points | n/a | 300 | 300 | 325 | 325 |
