Featured


Courses

SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

Courses Landing page

Study at SETU Waterford

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

Study at SETU Waterford landing Page

Students

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

Students Landing Page

Schools

SETU Waterford offers a broad range of academic programmes from levels 6 to 10 on the national framework of qualifications across Business, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Science and Computing.

Schools Landing Page

International

The Office for International Relations co-ordinates the admission, administration and support for international students throughout the course of their studies at SETU Waterford.

International Landing Page

Research

SETU Waterfordis recognised as the leading research performer in the institute of technology sector with research activities that are internationally benchmarked, strategic, and economically relevant. Find out about the amazing multi disciplinary research under way

Research Landing Page

About

Discover the routes into studying at SETU Waterford for school leavers, adult learners, further education students, graduates and people who have already started studies elsewhere as well as options for those interested in online courses.

About Landing Page

News

Uncover the research discoveries, student and staff achievements, human stories, community spirit, global links and external engagement news at SETU Waterford

News Landing Page

Events

From virtual events to conferences, talks, public lectures and happenings in on-campus venues SETU Waterford is a hub of activity. Stay up to date with our calendar of upcoming events.

Events Landing Page
Code
SE511
Delivery
Fulltime
Cao points
🛈170 -601
Level
7
Campus
Cork Road
Duration
3 years
Credits
180 ECTS
Study Abroad
Yes
International Applications
Accepted
arrow-down

What is Pharmaceutical Science?

People in Ireland are living longer, healthier and more active lives, partly due to medical progress, and partly due to advancements in pharmaceutical science. Not only is pharmaceutical science critical to the health of the nation, it also plays a key role in the Irish economy. Ireland is one of the key locations for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe, and the Irish pharmaceutical industry has become one of the largest exporters of pharmaceuticals in the world.  Over 150 pharmaceutical companies operate have plants in Ireland, including 9 of the world’s top 10 companies. This has created a strong demand for graduates qualified in pharmaceutical science, and employment prospects are excellent.

What is the BSc in Pharmaceutical Science Course?

  • The BSc in Pharmaceutical Science course is a full time, three year degree that qualifies graduates for employment in the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical industries and related sectors.
  • The course enables graduates to obtain a worthwhile qualification after three years of study.
  • Students will study a broad range of scientific subjects that are important for the discovery, development and manufacture of drugs and therapies.
  • A strong emphasis is placed on practical work in the laboratory, where students will get hands-on experience of using a wide range of techniques and instrumentation.
  • A research project is included in the final year, allowing the student to work independently in an area of interest to them, developing their research and problem-solving skills.
  • The programme allows a more flexible progression to further qualifications such as transfer to the fourth year of a related honours degree at SETU Waterford or elsewhere.

Pharmaceutical Science at SETU Waterford

Students are exposed to a wide range of state-of-the-art instrumentation and equipment at SETU Waterford and learn from researchers actively involved in cutting edge areas such as separation science, pharmaceutical drug delivery, biotechnology and environmental science.

Innovative teaching

This programme recently won the ‘Most impactful use of Pearson courseware or services’ award in recognition of the blended learning approach in the delivery of the programmes. The common science programmes use an integrated on-line tutorial system that is delivered to small groups in an IT room supported by one or two members of staff. These weekly formative tutorials allow students to apply or practice the material covered in class that week and student receives individual attention and help at tutorials.

Research at SETU Waterford

SETU Waterford lecturing staff teaching on this course are actively involved in a range of highly successful and well-funded research work related to pharmaceutical science. Collaborators include national and international universities and research institutes, and industrial partners from the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical sector both in Ireland and abroad. Current research areas include: development of novel polymers for therapeutic drug delivery, biomedical research in eye treatment, novel analytical methods for pharmaceutical products, sensing devices for environmental analysis, biotechnology for drug synthesis and bioremediation.

Pharmaceutical Science Programme Handbook

Year 1
Semester 1Semester 2
Introductory BiologyCell Biology & Biochemistry
Introductory ChemistryPhysical & Organic Chemistry
Introductory PhysicsPhysics for Scientists
Introductory MathematicsMathematics for Scientists
Introduction to ICT for ScientistsIntroduction to Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Science
Good Laboratory Practice & Core Skills Choose one of the following electives:
*Science & Society
*Forensic Science
Year 2
Semester 3Semester 4
Organic Chemistry and BiomoleculesPharmaceutical Organic Chemistry
Spectroscopic TechniquesChromatographic and Electrophoretic Techniques
Physical ChemistryInorganic Chemistry
Statistics for ScientistsEnvironmental Monitoring
Pharmaceutical ScienceBiopharmaceutical Science
Laboratory Data Analysis and PresentationApplied Mathematics for Scientists
Year 3
Semester 5Semester 6
Advanced Spectroscopic Analysis of Organic CompoundsIndustrial Processing and Operations
Chromatographic Method Development and ValidationTotal Quality Management
Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyLaboratory Data Modelling
Pharmaceuticals and Natural ProductsThe Professional Individual
Inorganic and Physcial ChemistryGMP and Data Integrity
Introduction to Research MethodsResearch Project

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science 

5 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science:

Entry Recommendation for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science graduates:

Applicants should note that a science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science) at Leaving Certificate is recommended for this programme.

Career Opportunities for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science graduates

Pharmaceutical scientists design and develop new drugs and therapies, and devise cleaner, more efficient industrial processes to manufacture them. There is a strong demand for graduates qualified in pharmaceutical science and employment prospects are excellent. Graduates have found widespread employment in the large number of pharmaceutical industries in the southeast and beyond.

The main career opportunities are in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and related industries in areas such as:

  • Laboratory analysis
  • Quality control and quality assurance
  • Research and development
  • Environmental analysis
  • Food & drinks industries


Follow on study for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science graduates 

WD147 - BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science subject to application and/or interview.

Subsequent transfer to postgraduate courses at masters and PhD level.

Video: An International Perspective on Pharmaceutical Science at SETU Waterford

International Students Studying Pharmaceutical Science

This programme attracts many international students from around the world each year. There are many supports in place and students will be given lots of guidance from our very experienced staff in the South East Technological University International Office. To find an international perspective to the course and Department of Science have a look at our video.

EU-CONEXUS researchers collaborated to develop a marine drone

EU-CONEXUS researchers collaborated to develop a marine drone

Read more
Common science programmes win prestigious HE Innovate Award in London

Common science programmes win prestigious HE Innovate Award in London

Read more
Inaugural SETU Science and Land Science Awards

Inaugural SETU Science and Land Science Awards

Read more
Attending both Try Science and Try Law events helped Orla with CAO

Attending both Try Science and Try Law events helped Orla with CAO

Read more
‘Continuous assessment’ of course choices urged as CAO opens for applications

‘Continuous assessment’ of course choices urged as CAO opens for applications

Read more
New hub to help grow Waterford student entrepreneurial potential launched

New hub to help grow Waterford student entrepreneurial potential launched

Read more
High standard of student projects represented at SURE Online Conference

High standard of student projects represented at SURE Online Conference

Read more
WIT nominated for three Pharma Industry awards

WIT nominated for three Pharma Industry awards

Read more
Pharmaceutical science student Emma is awarded scholarship with Teva Ireland

Pharmaceutical science student Emma is awarded scholarship with Teva Ireland

Read more
Pharmaceutical Science student awarded €9,000 Philip Kelly Teva Excellence Scholarship

Pharmaceutical Science student awarded €9,000 Philip Kelly Teva Excellence Scholarship

Read more
Winners announced at Science Industry Sponsored Awards ceremony

Winners announced at Science Industry Sponsored Awards ceremony

Read more
WIT’s Nutrition Research Centre Ireland launches ‘Supplement Certified’

WIT’s Nutrition Research Centre Ireland launches ‘Supplement Certified’

Read more
How to use level 6 and level 7 to progress your educational goals

How to use level 6 and level 7 to progress your educational goals

Read more
WIT picks up 4 nominations in the 2020 Pharma Industry Awards

WIT picks up 4 nominations in the 2020 Pharma Industry Awards

Read more
Waterford scientists awarded funding to speed up COVID-19 testing

Waterford scientists awarded funding to speed up COVID-19 testing

Read more
Zoom ceremony for Department of Science Industry Sponsored Awards 2020

Zoom ceremony for Department of Science Industry Sponsored Awards 2020

Read more
TriviumVet sponsors BSc in Pharmaceutical Science Academic Excellence Award

TriviumVet sponsors BSc in Pharmaceutical Science Academic Excellence Award

Read more
Education in Ireland Student Ambassador blog: Dan Chau Thuy Nguyen

Education in Ireland Student Ambassador blog: Dan Chau Thuy Nguyen

Read more
Advice from our mature students to others

Advice from our mature students to others

Read more
From pharma to farming - employers invited to book stands for WIT Science Careers Day

From pharma to farming - employers invited to book stands for WIT Science Careers Day

Read more
WIT research centre PMBRC scoops top R&D prize at Pharma Industry Awards

WIT research centre PMBRC scoops top R&D prize at Pharma Industry Awards

Read more
PMBRC shortlisted for two pharma industry awards

PMBRC shortlisted for two pharma industry awards

Read more
Waterford team lead €4m project to train researchers to improve sight-saving treatments

Waterford team lead €4m project to train researchers to improve sight-saving treatments

Read more
WIT partner to one of SFI research centres in €230m funding announcement

WIT partner to one of SFI research centres in €230m funding announcement

Read more
In photos: Science Careers Day 2019 at WIT

In photos: Science Careers Day 2019 at WIT

Read more
WIT-led proposal to develop EI-funded Life Sciences incubator in Waterford

WIT-led proposal to develop EI-funded Life Sciences incubator in Waterford

Read more
Links with Denmark highlighted during visiting lecturer trip

Links with Denmark highlighted during visiting lecturer trip

Read more
Video: Pharmaceutical science graduate on working in EirGen

Video: Pharmaceutical science graduate on working in EirGen

Read more
South east a region of excellence to work, research and study in pharma sector

South east a region of excellence to work, research and study in pharma sector

Read more
Teaching career focus: Pharmaceutical Science and Applied Biology

Teaching career focus: Pharmaceutical Science and Applied Biology

Read more
Waterford scientists scoop two awards at the Pharma Industry Awards 2017

Waterford scientists scoop two awards at the Pharma Industry Awards 2017

Read more
PMBRC shortlisted for two awards in 2017 Pharma Industry Awards

PMBRC shortlisted for two awards in 2017 Pharma Industry Awards

Read more
Pharma Industry Awards shortlisting for Pharmaceutical Science at WIT

Pharma Industry Awards shortlisting for Pharmaceutical Science at WIT

Read more
Bealtaine living earth festival 2017 in pictures

Bealtaine living earth festival 2017 in pictures

Read more
Department of Science Industry Sponsored Awards at WIT

Department of Science Industry Sponsored Awards at WIT

Read more
Dry powder inhalation research wins researcher graduate student award

Dry powder inhalation research wins researcher graduate student award

Read more
Sustaining Regional Innovation and Growth through Partnership conference

Sustaining Regional Innovation and Growth through Partnership conference

Read more
Graduates collaborate with TSSG to develop game changing pharma software

Graduates collaborate with TSSG to develop game changing pharma software

Read more
PMBRC shortlisted for two Pharma Industry Awards

PMBRC shortlisted for two Pharma Industry Awards

Read more
10 things to make you fall in love with Waterford

10 things to make you fall in love with Waterford

Read more
PMBRC Research making medicines more effective

PMBRC Research making medicines more effective

Read more
Mike who completed Pharmaceutical Science continues to PhD level

Mike who completed Pharmaceutical Science continues to PhD level

Read more
Tracey tells how ‘practical lab work made lectures easier

Tracey tells how ‘practical lab work made lectures easier

Read more
#LoveIrishResearch Researcher spotlight: Dr Lee Coffey

#LoveIrishResearch Researcher spotlight: Dr Lee Coffey

Read more
Beat 102-103 and WIT team up to reduce CAO final decisions stress

Beat 102-103 and WIT team up to reduce CAO final decisions stress

Read more
WIT Digital Champions build digital literacy capacity

WIT Digital Champions build digital literacy capacity

Read more
Challenge Science: 10 years inspiring scientists of tomorrow

Challenge Science: 10 years inspiring scientists of tomorrow

Read more
The Irish Times interview with WIT chemistry lecturer Sheila Donegan

The Irish Times interview with WIT chemistry lecturer Sheila Donegan

Read more
Irish Pharmacy Awards 2016 nomination for WIT’s CODEMISUSED project

Irish Pharmacy Awards 2016 nomination for WIT’s CODEMISUSED project

Read more
100% success rate in IRC New Foundations Scheme

100% success rate in IRC New Foundations Scheme

Read more
Women in Science Spring Reception at Áras an Uachtaráin

Women in Science Spring Reception at Áras an Uachtaráin

Read more
A year in the life of CALMAST

A year in the life of CALMAST

Read more
Waterford Science Region stand for BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

Waterford Science Region stand for BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition

Read more
Student research encouraged with new awards

Student research encouraged with new awards

Read more
PMBRC Postgraduate researcher wins Best Poster award at the RSC Analytical Research Forum

PMBRC Postgraduate researcher wins Best Poster award at the RSC Analytical Research Forum

Read more
PMBRC Shortlisted for Two Pharma Industry Awards

PMBRC Shortlisted for Two Pharma Industry Awards

Read more
PMBRC Researcher receives funding to develop collaborations with leading Australian research team

PMBRC Researcher receives funding to develop collaborations with leading Australian research team

Read more
Eoin Gill discusses: The Bittersweet side of science

Eoin Gill discusses: The Bittersweet side of science

Read more
Primary School students get first hand experience of science

Primary School students get first hand experience of science

Read more
PMBRC Shortlisted for Pharma Industry Award

PMBRC Shortlisted for Pharma Industry Award

Read more
PMBRC collaborative projects approved for funding

PMBRC collaborative projects approved for funding

Read more
See more

Contact

Course Leader
Kathleen Grennan
Dr. Kathleen Grennan
BSc PhD - Lecturer
Tel: 51302047 [email protected]

Ask a Question

Department Courses

Certificate in Research Methods in Biological Agriculture

Certificate in Research Methods in Biological Agriculture

BSc (Hons) in Good Manufacturing Practice & Technology

BSc (Hons) in Good Manufacturing Practice & Technology

Certificate in Green & Sustainable Pharmaceutical Production

Certificate in Green & Sustainable Pharmaceutical Production

MSc/Postgrad Diploma in Organic and Biological Agriculture

MSc/Postgrad Diploma in Organic and Biological Agriculture

Certificate in Project Management and Marketing

Certificate in Project Management and Marketing

Certificate in Agroforestry and Landscape Biodiversity

Certificate in Agroforestry and Landscape Biodiversity

Certificate in Food, Health and Nutrition

Certificate in Food, Health and Nutrition

Certificate in Crop Management in Organic and Biological Agriculture

Certificate in Crop Management in Organic and Biological Agriculture

Certificate in Livestock Management in Organic and Biological Agriculture

Certificate in Livestock Management in Organic and Biological Agriculture

Certificate in Soil Health and Water Management

Certificate in Soil Health and Water Management

Certificate in Food Safety and Analytical Microbiology

Certificate in Food Safety and Analytical Microbiology

Plant Protection

Plant Protection

Certificate in Advanced Drug Formulation Science

Certificate in Advanced Drug Formulation Science

Certificate in Garden Management and Plant Selection

Certificate in Garden Management and Plant Selection

Certificate in Nursery Stock Production

Certificate in Nursery Stock Production

Certificate in Sportsturf Science

Certificate in Sportsturf Science

Certificate in Sustainable Food Production

Certificate in Sustainable Food Production

Certificate in Landscape Design

Certificate in Landscape Design

Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Common Entry)

Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Common Entry)

Certificate in Advanced Analytical Techniques

Certificate in Advanced Analytical Techniques

Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Cell Culture

Certificate in Biopharmaceutical Analysis and Cell Culture

Certificate In International Regulatory Affairs (Postgraduate)

Certificate In International Regulatory Affairs (Postgraduate)

Certificate in Statistics and Data Analysis

Certificate in Statistics and Data Analysis

Certificate in Strategic Quality Management

Certificate in Strategic Quality Management

Certificate in Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques

Certificate in Advanced Spectroscopic Techniques

Certificate in Advanced Chromatographic Techniques

Certificate in Advanced Chromatographic Techniques

Certificate in Advanced Materials Characterisation

Certificate in Advanced Materials Characterisation

Higher Cert in Science in Good Manufacturing Practice & Technology

Higher Cert in Science in Good Manufacturing Practice & Technology

BSc in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology

BSc in Good Manufacturing Practice and Technology

MSc in Analytical Science with Quality Management

MSc in Analytical Science with Quality Management

BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science

BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science

BSc (Hons) in Food Science & Innovation

BSc (Hons) in Food Science & Innovation

BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

BSc (Hons) in Physics for Modern Technology

BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science

BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science

BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science

BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Science

BSc in Science (General)

BSc in Science (General)

BSc in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science

BSc in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science