Biopharmaceutical Chemistry

accountname

Hey all.

I've just done the auld LC and I think I think I'll be doing this course come September. I know there's a very small intake of people for this so finding people doing the course is hard but I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any sort of insight as to what the course is like? First year looks fairly general from what I can see anyways. So is anyone doing this course? What are the employment prospects like after and what kind of jobs does this lead into?

Cheers

sammyjo90

I was in the very first year of the course in '08 and what i can gather it hasnt changed much since.

Subjects wise, its a lot of chemistry with a mish mash of biology thrown in.. You do all core chemistry subjects up till third yr with some extra semester subjects like biochem and pharmacology. In final year you will do most of the core chemistry subjects minus a couple modules in the last semester. This is where we did an industrial biochemistry subject taught by a lecturer from UL which was great, v. Interesting. And also a tailored biopharma subject..
It may have changed slightly as we were the guinea pigs but i doubt its changed that much.

Job wise...is tricky. You could be.lucky and get a job off the bat..or you could go onto a masters/phd which most big pharma companies want these days..
I however did neither..spent a while unemployed..got a research assistant position..unemployed for a while..now im an analyst on contract for a company and i am contracted out to the pharma companies to do their testing.
Its all about the luck of the draw with jobs, biopharm is were things are going so this course has the added bonus of being something other than just chemistry or biology

ticklemylemon

Hi there,

I just finished up the course and will be graduating in October (happy days).

The course is excellent if you love chemistry and biology. Even though its a biopharma course it majorly focuses on chemistry, there are a few biochemistry modules in 2nd and 4th year (not in 3rd year though but i think they changed that recently and now you can actually select some modules). Here is the outline of the 4 years:

Year 1 provides a broad education in general sciences – Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics.

Year 2 students take core modules in Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as two additional modules, Computers in Chemistry and Pharmacology Fundamentals.

Year 3 specializes in the study of chemistry and aspects of biochemistry. Students also take a module in Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry. Placements are available in year 3. This can involve a 3 month placement in an industrial or academic laboratory. (UNFORTUNATELY THEY GOT RID OF PLACEMENT A YEAR AGO)

Year 4 involves further specialization in Chemistry with selected topics in Biopharmaceutical Chemistry

Protein engineering / Protein-based therapeutics / Drug development and delivery / Glycosciences (the chemistry and biology of carbohydrates) / Biotechnology / Mammalian cell growth and Bioprocess Monitoring. Students will also complete a research project in one of these areas.

In regards to job prospects, i agree with the above post. Its all about luck and who you know. If you work hard and achieve a good degree you should be fine

accountname

ticklemylemon wrote: »

Hi there,


Year 3 specializes in the study of chemistry and aspects of biochemistry. Students also take a module in Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry. Placements are available in year 3. This can involve a 3 month placement in an industrial or academic laboratory. (UNFORTUNATELY THEY GOT RID OF PLACEMENT A YEAR AGO)

So there's no placement at all anymore? :mad: Ah well, with the CAO closed and all that looks like I'm Galway-bound

Paul V Murphy

Hi
thanks for your interest in this course. The course has recently been revised and a 6 month placement in industry is still possible, although not compulsory. All those who wanted work placement have obtained one this year .
Regards
Paul Murphy