This level 9 programme is designed for those who already have some experience of working in an industrial laboratory environment, and who wish to upskill in the core areas of analytical science. It is comprised of three ten credit modules in chromatography, spectroscopy and materials characterisation, respectively. In these modules, the learner will be exposed to the application of these techniques in a wide range of environments focusing mainly, but not exclusively, on applications in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.
The overall aim of this programme is to produce graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise in analytical science. The course will also confer on the graduates a set of personal and professional attributes that will allow them greater flexibility in the development of their own career options, over the span of their career.
Specifically, the aims of the Certificate in Advanced Analytical Techniques, level 9 are to:
- Graduate individuals who have advanced knowledge of the major disciplines within analytical science.
- Enable graduates to assess the potential of and implement new analytical technology within an industrial environment.
- Graduate students with advanced research skills.
The Programme is composed of the following modules:
Advanced Chromatographic Techniques
This module will provide the student with an advanced understanding of the theory, practices and instrumentation associated with advances in separation science, as well as interfacing of hyphenated techniques involving mass-spectrometry such as LC-MS and GC-MS. The learner will be exposed to state-of-the-art developments in associated instrumentation, as well as the challenges in dealing with the separation of samples in complex matrices. The necessary background will be given which will allow the learner to select an appropriate separation technique for a given analysis. On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
1. Appraise the principles, practices and instrumentation associated with advanced chromatography, as well as interfacing of hyphenated techniques involving mass-spectrometry such as LC-MS and GC-MS.
2. Select an appropriate separation technique for a given analysis in a range of industrial environments.
3. Solve sample preparation issues concerned with GC, HPLC, ion chromatography and reverse-phase bioseparations.
4. Solve method development issues concerned with GC, HPLC, ion chromatography and reverse-phase bioseparations.
5. Set up, calibrate and qualify associated laboratory instrumentation for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sample analyses.
6. Appraise separation science literature and identify future trends in this area.
Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques
This module will provide the student with an advanced understanding of the theory, practices and instrumentation associated with a range of advanced spectroscopic techniques. The techniques covered include molecular (UV-Vis, IR, Raman, NMR, MS) and atomic (AAS, AES) spectroscopies, focusing on state-of-the-art developments in their practices and instrumentation, as well as the challenges in dealing with the spectroscopic identification of samples in complex matrices. On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
1. Appraise the principles, practices and instrumentation associated with advanced spectroscopic techniques.
2. Solve sample preparation issues relating to the use of advanced spectroscopic techniques.
3. Solve method development issues concerned with mass spectrometry and related hyphenated techniques.
4. Set up and calibrate associated laboratory instrumentation for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sample analyses.
5. Select appropriate advanced data analysing, synthesising and summarising skills in spectroscopic techniques.
Advanced Materials Characterisation
This module will provide the student with an overview of the current technologies used for the characterisation of materials. The principles and instrumentation used in surface analysis, polymorphism, trace analysis and polymer characterisations will be studied. A wide range of surface analysis techniques such as microscopy and micrometric techniques will be covered, speciï¬cally specifically their use, sample requirements, principles and limitations. Examples of industrial applications of these techniques will be given, from raw materials and product characterisation to trace analysis and impurity determinations. On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
1. Establish the principles of operation behind a range of optical, scanning probe and scanning electron microscopic techniques.
2. Establish the principles of operation and applications of a variety of micrometric and thermal analytical techniques for materials characterisation.
3. Establish the principles of a variety of moisture, polymorphism, and particle size and rheology determinations in materials.
4. Evaluate the potential of all the above in the characterisation of materials in the pharmaceutical industrial environment.
5. Plan experiments and calibrate associated laboratory instrumentation for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sample analyses.
Applicants for entry to this programme should hold a Bachelor's degree at honours level 8 with a minimum award of a 2.2, or an equivalent qualification. Analytical science should have been a significant component of the degree or other programme of study leading to the award. In addition, two years relevant industrial or similar experience is required.
In the case of an applicant who does not have a degree qualification at the appropriate level, but has a significant degree of relevant work experience, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) may be taken into consideration by the programme board.
Upon successful completion of this programme, the student may elect to pursue the Postgraduate Diploma / M. Sc. in Analytical Science with Quality Management at WIT. As the three modules on this Certificate programme are also taken in the Postgraduate Diploma/M.Sc., the student can apply to transfer to that programme. Any progression will be in accordance with WIT guidelines.
Course Leader(s)
Dr. Kathleen Greenan
Email: kgrennan@wit.ie
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