BSc in Pharmaceutical Science
Course code: WD175
What is Pharmaceutical Science?
Pharmaceutical science combines a broad range of scientific subjects that are important for the discovery, development and manufacture of drugs and therapies.
What is the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science Course?
- This is a three year degree aimed at producing graduates in pharmaceutical science.
- Students will cover areas of chemical, biological and analytical sciences of particular relevance to the pharmaceutical industry.
- Quality management is also covered which is very important for this area.
- A project will be completed in year 3 where the student works independently in a particular research area.
- The course allows you to obtain a worthwhile qualification after three years of study.
- It allows a more flexible progression to further qualifications such as transfer to the fourth year of a related honours degree at WIT or elsewhere.
Career Opportunities
The main career opportunities are in the pharmaceutical and related industries in areas such as:
- Laboratory analysis
- Quality assurance
- Research & development of pharmaceutical products
- Environmental analysis
Graduates have found widespread employment in the large number of pharmaceutical industries including Genzyme, Pinewood Healthcare, Clonmel Healthcare, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Merck Sharp & Dohme among others.
Follow on Study
- BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science - WD147 (Year 4)
- Subsequent transfer to post graduate courses at masters and PhD level
Pharmaceutical Science at WIT
Students are exposed to a wide range of state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment at WIT and learn from researchers actively involved in cutting edge areas such as separation science, pharmaceutical drug delivery, biotechnology and environmental science.
Course Outline
| Year 1 | |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Introductory Biology Introductory Chemistry Introductory Physics Introductory Mathematics Introduction to ICT for Scientists Good Laboratory Practice and Core Skills |
Cell Biology and Biochemistry Physical and Organic Chemistry Physics for Scientists Mathematics for Scientists Electives (Choose 2): - Introduction to Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science - Plant Biology - Science and Society - Introduction to Food Science |
| Year 2 | |
| Semester 3 |
Semester 4 |
| Organic Chemistry and Biomolecules Spectroscopic Techniques Physical Chemistry Statistics for Scientists Pharmaceutical Science Laboratory Data analysis and presentation |
Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Chromatographic Techniques Inorganic Chemistry Environmental Science Biopharmaceutical Science Applied Mathematics for Scientists |
| Year 3 | |
| Semester 5 |
Semester 6 |
| Total Quality management Chromatographic Method Development and Validation Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Pharmaceuticals and Natural Products Manufacturing, Production and Processing Introduction to Research Methods |
Physical Chemistry of Materials Sensors and Electroanalysis Laboratory Data Modelling Inorganic and Structural Chemistry Organic Chemistry and Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques Project |
Course Facts
Course Title: BSc in Pharmaceutical Science
Course Code: WD175
Course Level: 7
Duration: 3 years
Course Entry
Leaving Certificate:
- Total number of different subjects at grade D or better: 5
Required Subjects:
- English/Irish: OD3/HD3
- Mathematics: OD3/HD3
For further information:
Course Leader: Joseph Power, BSc PhD
Ph: 051 302054 Email: jpower@wit.ie
Recent Entry Points
| Year | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Minimum Points | 205 | 220 | 270 |
But don't just take our word...
"I really enjoyed the course overall, the large element of practical laboratory work helped to make the lecture material easy to understand and it is also excellent preparation for working in the pharmaceutical industry. Also, the quality of the lecturing staff was second to none and they were always on hand to give that extra bit of help when needed. After completing my honours degree, I continued my studies where I am currently in the final year of my PhD."
Mike Kinsella, Graduate 2005
