Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds (BSc (Hons)) at University College Cork

BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds (CPC) is an interdisciplinary course focusing on the chemistry and biology of the pharmaceutical industry and includes a five-month industrial placement.

The course is an excellent pathway to careers in the pharmaceutical industry and is accredited by the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Industry experts lecture on pharmaceutical technology, regulatory issues and the industry in Ireland. Our placement scheme includes application and interview training. Interviews with companies will be organised.

Core subjects include organic, analytical and pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, supported by modules on physical and inorganic chemistry, physiology, mathematics and physics.

Final-year research projects are written on pharmaceutical chemistry and pharmaceutical bio-science.

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• analyse and solve problems relating to pharmaceuticals
• outline the fundamental chemistry and biology of pharmaceuticals
• design experiments in pharmaceutical chemistry and biology
• communicate with pharmaceutical scientists
• engage with the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, and appreciate the opportunities and challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry

The BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds (CPC) is the only course in Ireland to cover both the chemistry and biology underpinning the pharmaceutical industry.

In addition, CPC is the only undergraduate course in chemistry that offers an organised placement scheme in the pharmaceutical industry. Feedback on the placements from both students and companies is excellent.

CPC is the only course on which industry experts present on key technical and economic aspects of the industry.

CPC is on the Auto-Qual list of the Teaching Council for eligibility to apply for PDE for teaching of Biology and Chemistry.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

BSc Chemistry of Pharmaceutical Compounds industrial placements have included sites in the UK and in the Netherlands, although most placements are in Ireland.

Skills and Careers Information

On this course you will gain skills in the synthesis and analysis of pharmaceuticals using chemical and biochemical technologies. The laboratory skills you will acquire include synthesis, chromatography (e.g. HPLC) and spectroscopy (e.g. NMR).

You will also learn presentation skills such as document and poster preparation, oral presentation and interview skills. Problem solving skills are developed in interactive group problem-solving sessions.

CPC is a pathway to careers in:

• pharmaceutical process support and development
• new process development
• supply-chain management
• HR and financial management 
• drug discovery research

The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland is a major employer of CPC graduates. Graduates of this course are also working in leading research and development sites outside Ireland.