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MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering

MEngSc (NFQ Level 9)
Sustainable Development Goals

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical manufacturing are key sectors in the Irish economy generating over 50 per cent of GDP. This sector has seen continued and sustained success with a number of high-profile investments in recent years providing excellent job opportunities for graduates. The programme and its academic faculty are closely linked with the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), which is a global centre of excellence for training and research in bioprocessing.

 

This MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering programme provides substantial coverage of scientific, technical, management and regulatory issues associated with this industry. This programme offers an internationally recognised high quality flexible curriculum, which follows the latest developments in science and technology. This programme is suitable for Science and Engineering graduates wishing to obtain a qualification which is highly relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry.

About This Course

The programme's teaching methods are highly interactive and varied and student learning is assessed using a variety of assessment methodology including exams, assignments, case studies and presentations.  Students complete a research project which consolidates their basic knowledge of the course content and provides intensive research experience and training. The course content addresses the principal scientific and engineering challenges involved in the design, operation and management of biopharmaceutical production facilities. 

  • Apply their knowledge of biopharmaceutical production processes to design, equip and manage a biopharmaceutical production factility
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the concept and practice of independent research in specialised topics in biopharmaceutical engineering
  • Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of GMP and the regulatory issues involved in biopharmaceutical production
  • Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the challenges involved in the downstream purification of biopharmaceuticals
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of process control when applied to growth of mammalian cells in bioreactors
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scientific principles involved in the development of a biopharmaceutical production process
  • Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a design team for the development of a new production facility
  • Understand the engineering principles underlying the production of biopharmaceuticals

Graduates from this programme are highly sought after and play an important role in the development, design and operation of biopharmaceutical processes throughout the industry in the coming years.  Ireland is a world player in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical production. 

The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland comprises a mix of international and local companies. Approximately, 120 overseas companies have plants in Ireland, including many of the largest pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies in the world including AbbVie, Amgen, Biomarin, BMS, Genzyme, GSK, Janssen Biologics (Ireland), Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi Shire, and many more. Upon graduation from this programme, you will enjoy an extremely high job placement rate with superlative career opportunities.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40020 Principles of Biopharmaceutical Engineering (FT) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40040 Animal Cell Culture Technology (FT) Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40110 Facility Design and Operation Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40120 Biopharmaceutical Industry Regulation and Management Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40630 Bioanalytical Science for Biopharma Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40770 Data Sci for Biopharm Manufact Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40090 Bioprocessing Laboratory Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40460 Downstream Processing Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40530 Bioprocess Design Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40890 Research Methodology FT Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
CHEN40140 Biopharmaceutical Engineering Project Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In the Spring trimester students choose 2 modules:
CHEN40130 Bioprocess Scale-up and Technology Transfer Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In the Spring trimester students choose 2 modules:
CHEN40860 Gene Ther & Vacc Tech & Proc Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:
In the Spring trimester students choose 2 modules:
CHEN40870 GMP Manufact Advan Therapeutic Spring  5

UCD is No.1 in Ireland and Top 50 in the world in QS Sustainability ranking.

Graduate Profile - Thomas Raju, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

“I chose UCD for its fantastic reputation for its post graduate courses. The campus is also the biggest in Ireland and its facilities are excellent. I chose this programme as a continuation of my bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and I wanted to further develop my learning in this area. The best part is that the course offers training in the bioprocess training facility in the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) which helped to greatly enhance my practical knowledge. The course is designed to give you a well-rounded education in a variety of aspects in the pharmaceutical industry such as cell culture, facility design, engineering modules, regulatory affairs, lean sigma methodologies etc. The course has helped improve my career opportunities and I have already been offered a job with a pharmaceutical company for when I finish my course. I believe I have gained more practical knowledge from the one year of study that will help me in my workplace.”

 

MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering (T070) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9530
nonEU    fee per year - € 29100

***Fees are subject to change

Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships/

  • An honours undergraduate degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum upper second class honours  or international equivalence in a relevant Engineering, Science or Technology programme. However, all applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and relevant or extensive work experience will be taken into account.
  • 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 
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt T070
MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering
Master of Engineering Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Graduate Taught Closed
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt T070
MEngSc in Biopharmaceutical Engineering
Master of Engineering Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught Apply
* you can change options at the top of the page