M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering

What is the M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering?

The M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering is delivered by DCU's School of Biotechnology in conjunction with TCD School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). It is accredited by DCU.

The M.Sc. is an interactive and dynamic programme that will develop your knowledge and appreciation of the conceptual and factual bases for bioprocess design and operation. It also develops your understanding of bioprocessing, particularly the structures, roles and experimental methods associated with biopharmaceuticals, their analysis, production methods and technology for monitoring and control of bioprocesses.

Why Undertake the M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering at DCU?

The M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering has an excellent reputation in the biopharmaceutical industry, with a number of companies (Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Merck, BMS) registering employees for the full or partial programme. The  programme builds on the world-renowned experience of the course presenters, including professors, lecturers and industrial experts. It also provides a platform for entry into research-level positions (PhD, further specialised programmes) and industries involved in the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins/diagnostics.

The programme also provides a highly interactive environment in the form of the state-of-the-art Microbial Bioprocessing Facility (MBF) for the understanding of real bioprocesses, and to encourage discussion with industry experts in a dynamic environment, on actual problems and challenges in the bioprocessing sector. In this way it provides an advanced and up-to-date academic base in the major disciplines of bioprocess engineering and fosters a range of transferable skills across a full range of relevant subjects.

The M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering won the Postgraduate Course of the Year Award in Health Sciences at the Gradireland Higher Education Awards 2017 and again in 2018. The judges’ comment was as follows: "An excellent course with strong industry and inter-institutional collaborations."

How You Fit The Programme

The programme is aimed at:

• Life scientists (including newly qualified graduates or those who are currently working in industry)

• Professionals from the diagnostics, biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries

Who wish to:

• Update and upgrade their knowledge, understanding and skills of those sought in the biopharmaceutical industry

• Be retrained in related disciplines, and wish to undertake advanced level modules in the theory, analysis design and practical methodology of the rapidly evolving subjects that are associated with this sector.

• Pursue a career in the biomedical diagnostics, biomedical science and biopharmaceutical industries

• Develop/consolidate their research skills with a view to undertaking further research (e.g. PhD or MD)

• Develop their critical analysis skills and enhance their professional development

Programme Structure

The programme is delivered via a hybrid approach of face-to-face teaching and online delivery of modules, together with hands-on experience in a research laboratory.

• All taught components from the classroom in DCU including lectures, tutorials and workshops are recorded and made available through DCU's online platform Loop to enable flexible learning (44.2% of the programme content).
• Three modules on the programme are delivered online by our colleagues at Arizona State University (ASU) and are supported at DCU with tutorials (22.5% of the programme content), culminating in 66.7% of the programme available online.
• The remaining 33.3% of the course is dedicated to the research project.

This approach was designed to:

• Enable students to study at a time and place that suits them (students can come to class to attend lectures in DCU if they are delivered from the classroom or students can attend remotely online).
• Enable students to revise their curriculum by having access to their recorded lectures/tutorials and slides at any time.
• Enable industry, medical and healthcare professionals to attend the programme remotely while continuing to work in full-time employment. Professionals working in full-time employment may also be able to undertake their research project in their place of work if working in a relevant industry (subject to terms and conditions).

Assessment is through continuous assessment and primarily consists of submission of assignments and short assessments throughout the year. Formal written examinations are not used for assessment of student learning.

Testimonials:

“Overall, the course content is very interesting and extremely relevant to industry. The lecturers

you have selected are excellent and have real life experience with the module they're teaching.

The course cost is very reasonable compared to other courses I looked at”

“The lecturers are very knowledgeable in their areas and up to date on all the new technologies

and what is going on in industry. This means the content is very relevant for those of us already

working in Biopharma but also for those trying to move into the industry. The lecturers I have

had to date have also been very nice, approachable people. The mix of exams, presentations and assignments is also good. I am really happy with the course and glad I signed up to study in DCU”

“I've recently completed the masters in bioprocess engineering as a part-time student in full

time employment. It is a course that is tailored for anyone seeking to up-skill in the

biopharmaceuatical industry, or full-time students trying to gain employment. The course itself

is well structured with a variety of content, all geared towards the biopharmaceutical industry.

The course is delivered by both DCU academic staff and guest lecturers who are leaders in the

industry. I found that the academic staff who deliver the masters program to be very

approachable and eager to help. The masters in bioprocess engineering caters very well for both

full-time and part-time students alike. The course is both challenging and rewarding. It has

given me new a great boost for my career and I would definitely recommend anyone who is up

for the challenge”

“The MSBE course in DCU caters for students from a range of backgrounds offering scientific

fundamentals of bioprocesses to students coming from more industrial settings and offering

Industry insights, experiences and bioprocess technical education to students from new

industries and academia. Small classes allow learning from shared experiences and fosters a

collaborative environment. Also, as the biopharmaceutical industry in Ireland is still quite small,

diverse professional connections can be made through the MSBE"

For more information on the M.Sc. in Bioprocess Engineering at Dublin City University, click here.