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microbiology --> Postgraduate Courses

Master of Science - Biotechnology 2011-2012

Introduction

Biotechnology is the application of biological processes to commercial and industrial purposes. Biotechnology industry has a wide scope and impacts on pharmaceutical, diagnostic, healthcare, agricultural, food and environmental sectors. The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) has a well merited reputation in Biotechnology with many of its staff active in this area. This expertise is exploited in the M. Sc. Biotechnology Degree course, which has more than 200 graduates since its establishment in 1981. The objective of the course is to provide a broad training for primary degree graduates qualifying them for work in the Biotechnology sector.

Course Content and Structure

The M. Sc. Biotechnology programme is a full-time 12-month course, that aims to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and experience that are needed to pursue a successful career in biotechnology. It is also possible to complete the M. Sc. Biotechnology programme on a part-time basis over 2 years. There are two inter-related elements in the course:

• (i) lectures and tutorials and
• (ii) a four-month individual research project.

The course contains the following teaching components:

Science Modules:

The investigative, preparative and analytical scientific techniques that are the foundations of biotechnology.

• Bioprocess Technology
• DNA Technology
  
• Immunodiagnostics
• Pharmacology
• Protein Technology
• Quality Management Systems
  

Business Modules:

Introduction to business with regard to the implementation of scientific processes and applications in commercial and industrial settings.

• Accountancy
• Business Management Principles
• Marketing Principles
• Preparation of Business Plan

Introduction to Biotechnology:

Training in biotechnology topics and skills.
Including Biotechnology in Ireland, Career Opportunities, Presentation Techniques, Scientific Writing.

The lecture modules commence in early September and are examined by continuous assessment and by written examinations, which are held in December and March. NUI Galway staff associated with the course are drawn from five different Departments within the Science and Commerce Faculties - Microbiology, Pharmacology, Marketing, Management, and Accountancy & Finance. In addition, researchers at the National Diagnostics Centre, which is located on the NUI Galway campus, contribute to both the lecture and research elements of the course.

Participants select an individual research project under the direction of a scientific group leader within a research laboratory on the NUI Galway campus. The project is carried out during the spring and summer months. This work is submitted in M. Sc. thesis format by the end of August of the final year for examination

Course Entry Requirements and Applications

The minimum entry requirements for this course are a Second Class honours primary degree in Science or a related subject, with an appropriate background in Biological Sciences. Candidates with three years relevant and appropriate research or industrial experience may also be considered. Selection of candidates is based on academic records, previous relevant experience and performance at interview. A short-list of applicants are asked for interview in July and selected applicants are notified soon afterwards. There is always a large demand for the limited number of places (eight per year on the full-time programme, 2 per year on the part-time programme) and the overall standard is high.

Application forms for the 2010-2011 academic year must be completed and submitted online to the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC):

PAC

Once you have submitted your application form you will need to send original supplementary documents by regular post to the PAC offices. Full instructions are provided on the PAC website. The deadline for submission of applications is 10th June 2011.

Course Record and Graduate Employment

To date there have been more than 200 graduates from the NUI Galway M. Sc. Biotechnology degree course. All are currently in good and appropriate employment. Companies in which graduates have been, or are, currently employed are detailed below. A general analysis of the various sectors of employment of these graduates is: Pharmaceutical Industry - 55%; Diagnostics - 20%; Food - 10%; University/Institute Research Laboratories - 10%, Other - 5%

IRELAND: Abbott Ireland; Allergan; Alltech; Alpha Technologies; Medtronic; Avonmore Foods; Baxter Healthcare; Beckman Coulter; Biotrin International Ltd.; BioResearch Ireland; Boston Scientific; Elan Corporation; Enfer Group; Fort Dodge Laboratories; Gerard Laboratories; Howmedica International; Hygeia; Icon Clinical Research; Irish Distillers Ltd.; Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.; Kerry Group Plc.; Medentech Ltd.; Medtronic; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Nycomed Ireland; Olympus Diagnostica; Quintiles; Quest International; Sandoz Ringaskiddy Ltd.; Schering AG; Schering-Plough; Serology Ltd.; Stiefel Laboratories; Teagasc; Trinity Biotech.; Waterfood Foods; Wyeth Ireland; Xenith Biomed.

EUROPE: Alcan (UK); Celltech (UK); Eurand International S.p.A. (Italy); Eli Lilly and Co. (UK); Glaxo-Wellcome (UK); Johnson & Johnson Ltd. (UK); Mars Confectionary (UK); Murex Diagnostics (UK); Parexel International (UK); Sandoz AG (Switzerland); SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals (UK).

ELSEWHERE: Amgen (USA); Clorox Technical Centre (USA); Kerry Group Plc. (USA); ImmunoGen Inc. (USA); Repligen Corporation (USA); Shaklee Corporation (USA); Syntex (USA).

Enquires and Further Information

MSc Biotechnology (full-time) prospectus: www.go4th.ie/biotech_ft.html

MSc Biotechnology (part-time) prospectus: http://www.go4th.ie/biotech_pt.html

For further information or queries regarding the M.Sc. Biotechnology course at the National University of Ireland, Galway, please look at:   

http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/biotechnology.html 

Dr. Aoife Boyd
Microbiology
National University of Ireland, Galway
IRELAND
TEL:  00 353 91 492404
Email:  Aoife.boydnuigalway.ie

For information regarding the application process please see:

http://www.nuigalway.ie/postgrad/ and http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/how-to-apply/

Postgraduate Admissions Office
National University of Ireland, Galway
IRELAND
TEL:  00 353 91 495446
Email:  pgsciencenuigalway.ie

 

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