Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 1 Years
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2023/2024 September
- Contact Name:
- Paul Evans
- Contact Number:
- 01 716 2291
- Fees:
- Fee Information
This course is designed for Chemistry graduates who are interested in deepening their knowledge of synthetic chemistry with a view to pursuing a career in either the fine chemical or pharmaceutical industries. There is a strong demand for these synthetic chemistry skills. Ireland is home to operations by some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies making some of the world’s blockbuster medicines. You can focus on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. In addition, you will complete a research project from topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis.
Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses brochure (pdf)
Students will take 60 credits in taught modules focusing on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. In addition, there is a 30 credit research project and students will be able to choose research topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. The UCD School of Chemistry has vibrant research in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, and it has strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally.
Curricular information is subject to change
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Students will take 60 credits in taught modules focusing on areas such as the synthesis of organic compounds and drug-like substances, techniques for structure determination, and methods for drug discovery. These taught modules have a particular focus on synthetic chemistry. They include modules on core principles of the design of synthetic routes to simple structures, progressing to more advanced modules on catalysis and asymmetric catalysis, a module on carbohydrate chemistry and a module on the synthesis of drug-like targets on a laboratory and on a commercial scale. These are supported by courses on the use of spectroscopic techniques for structure elucidation and analysis, covering techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR), near infrared (NIR), Raman, UV-visible, Circular Dichroism and Emission spectroscopy. Two modules focus on medicinal and biological chemistry, and another addresses the process of protecting and commercialising ideas and inventions.
In addition, there is a 30 credit research project and students will be able to choose research topics in relevant areas, including catalysis, carbohydrate chemistry and asymmetric synthesis. Students can select the research area from our vibrant research programme in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, which is informed by strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally. Relevant research topics in the School include:
This programme is aimed at students that have completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and wish to broaden or deepen their knowledge and skills in synthetic chemistry with a view to pursuing a career in the pharmaceutical or fine chemicals sectors. Students choose a suite of modules from our graduate school offering, which cover a wide range of topics in drug discovery and the synthesis and characterisation of target molecules. Immersed in a research-intensive environment, located in state-of-the-art facilities, students will work individually and in teams, and engage in projects that will hone their critical thinking, communications, autonomous learning, and technical skills. In addition to lectures, laboratory classes and tutorials, we use a range of student-centred, active-learning activities, including workshops, case studies, seminars, and team-based projects, culminating in research projects in which students are embedded in academic research teams to work on cutting-edge problems. Students can select the research area from our vibrant research programme in catalysis and the synthesis of biologically active compounds, which is informed by strong links with pharmaceutical and fine chemical companies in Ireland and globally. Both the core material and the transferable skills acquired in the programme are assessed, using a range of authentic techniques, including assessment of critical reviews, of presentations, and of a research thesis, as well as an oral thesis defense and written examinations.
The structure of the programme is as follows:
Autumn Trimester
• Organic Synthesis
• Metals in Biology
• Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
• Spectroscopic Techniques
• Professional Career Development
Spring Trimester
• Organic Synthesis 2
• Modern Methods and Catalysis
• Chemistry Lab to Commercialisation
• Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis
• Advanced NMR and MS
• Advanced Organic Synthesis and Drug Discovery
Summer Trimester
• Research Project
Limited places for a 30 credit industrial placement as an alternative to the research project, are available.
MSc Synthetic Chemistry Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemicals Industries (F105) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 9020
nonEU fee per year - € 27720
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees & Grants website. Please note that UCD offers a number of postgraduate scholarships for full-time, selffunding international students, holding an offer of a place on masters programmes. Please visit International Scholarships for further details.
This programme is intended for applicants with a Chemistry degree, or a degree with a significant component of Chemistry. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes
Faculty Profile
Associate Professor Paul Evans
UCD School of Chemistry
I am an organic chemist, contributing to teaching and also leading research in the UCD School of Chemistry. My main research interest is in the area of developing new synthetic methods to prepare biologically active small molecules. Targets include fatty acid metabolites and saturated N-heterocycles, and we have prepared both natural products and structural analogues.
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised