School of Health & Science Undergraduate

BSc in Pharmaceutical Science

Apply your inquisitive nature to help develop life-saving drugs of the future
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Course Overview

Throughout this course students develop an understanding of the physicochemical and biological principles that underpin the design, function, synthesis, analysis and delivery of pharmaceutical substances. This course educates and trains students to become scientists in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.

Year 1 and 2 focus on the fundamental sciences and in year 3 there is an emphasis on specialist modules including Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Drug Design, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Management.

What makes this course different

Understanding the Industry

Ireland’s life sciences sector has a global reputation for excellence in innovation and operations. There are now over 300 companies located nationwide in this rapidly expanding pharmaceutical industry, a major growth area of economic and strategic importance both in Ireland and worldwide. Pharmaceutical scientists perform vital research to drive drug discovery, development, and testing, as part of research teams tasked with introducing new drugs to the marketplace.

Career Opportunities

Future Careers:

  • Lab Technician
  • Quality Control/Assurance Analyst
  • Chemist, Process Development Technician
  • Project Assistant, Chemist/Technician
  • Research in academia or the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry
  • Validation/Manufacturing Technician
  • Research and development, production, and regulatory affairs
  • Government agencies such as drug licensing authorities

Course Delivery and Modules

This course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, practicals and tutorials. Practicals include laboratory work. This course contains a high level of hands-on experience at every level.

  • Physics through Problem-Based Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Fundamental Chemistry
  • Health & Safety and Academic Skills
  • Biology
  • Chemistry

  • introduction to Organic Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Microbiology
  • Analytical Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Statistics & Data Analysis

  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Immunology
  • Regulatory Affairs & GMP Compliance
  • Literature Research Project
  • Quality Management
  • Pharmaceutical Analysis and Validation
  • Physiology and Pharmacology
Electives:
  • Pharmacopeial Characterisation
  • Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
  • Biopharmaceutical Therapeutics
  • Pharmaceutical Drug Design

Education Progression

Fees and Funding

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirements apply. There are no special entry requirements for this course.

Recent CAO points

CAO points 2024 209
CAO points 2023 168

Student Stories

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How to apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

Apply on CAO
CAO code: DK783

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

International Application (non-EU)

International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science please ask it below and we will get back to you.

Dr Leanna Morgan

Programme Director

Dr Gillian Lambe

Head of Department of Life & Health Sciences
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