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Chemistry (Structured MSc)

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Course Overview

Full-time programme
The Structured Master of Science in Chemistry Research is a one-year research programme, designed to provide internationally recognised training in chemistry for graduates to the highest level of professional and scientific standards. The aim of this course is to produce high calibre graduates who can independently tackle problems in chemistry and closely related areas. It also aims to develop employment ready professionals with the view of gaining employment in this field or entering a PhD. The course comprises taught modules (30 ECTS credits) during the first three months of the programme followed by an eight months research project (60 ECTS credits). Students have the option to carry out the research project in the School of Chemistry, in a partner laboratory in Ireland or abroad or in industry. Research opportunities are offered in a wide range of different areas including: synthesis, analytical chemistry, combustion chemistry and energy, green chemistry, protein chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, biomedical chemistry, marine chemistry, and polymer chemistry.

Part-time programme
The Structured Master of Science in Chemistry Research (part-time) is a two-year research programme, designed to provide internationally recognised training in chemistry for graduates to the highest level of professional and scientific standards. The aim of this course is to produce high calibre graduates who can independently tackle problems in chemistry and closely related areas. This course is ideally suited to graduates in employment who wish to upskill. The course comprises taught modules (30 ECTS credits) and a research component (60 ECTS credits), spread over two years. Students will take one or two taught modules (15 ECTS) per year. Lectures are scheduled on one afternoon per week, while flexible hours can be agreed with the research project supervisor to facilitate students who are in employment. Students have the option to carry out the research project in the School of Chemistry, in a partner laboratory in Ireland or abroad or in industry. Research opportunities are offered in a wide range of different areas including: synthesis, analytical chemistry, combustion chemistry and energy, green chemistry, protein chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, biomedical chemistry, marine chemistry, and polymer chemistry.

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You may also be interested in one of our other Life and Biomedical Sciences postgraduate programmes.

Programmes Available

Structured MSc, full-time, 1 year; part-time, 2 years
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

First Class or 2.1 Honours Degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biopharmaceutical Chemistry or Analytical Chemistry at Level 8; Students with a 2.2 Honours Degree may be admitted after interview. Graduates with BSc Honours Degrees from other cognate areas may be admitted based on the amount of Chemistry taken through their primary BSc programme.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Course Outline

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required CH5101: MSc Chemistry Research Project


12 months long | Credits: 60

The student will work on a unique defined research problem under the guidance of a supervisor from Chemistry. It will be of an investigative nature and contain a substantial amount of advanced chemistry, drawing on the chemical and related literature. The projects will require originality and be of a quality that is potentially publishable and not been reported previously. The project may be carried out at an approved industrial partner's lab or in part at an approved external laboratory.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of a substantial area of chemistry
  2. Demonstrate the development of project-specific experimental skills.
  3. Demonstrate a knowledge of the state of the art of a topic which is supported by reading and engaging with the appropriate scientific literature
  4. Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct experiments, including the evaluation of hazards
  5. Prepare and give oral presentations and write a thesis, including critical evaluation of the outcomes of the research work.
  6. Participate in discussions with other researchers
Assessments
  • Department-based Assessment (50%)
  • Research (50%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module CH5101: "MSc Chemistry Research Project" and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required CH5102: Techniques and Skills for Chemistry Research


Semester 1 | Credits: 15

The course aims to provide a platform for training in key skills relevant to carrying out effective research in modern Chemistry. It will be based on lectures and associated mini-projects in 8 areas that will include modern analytical and instrumental techniques, cheminformatics, molecular modelling and simulation software. Overall the course will equip a student with the core competancies required to carry out high quality work in research, development and related environments.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. demonstrate a theoretical knowledge of a variety of analytical and instrumental techniques, available in the School of Chemistry, which are relevant to research
  2. use these analytical and instrumental tecniques at a level appropriate to the training provided
  3. use standard cheminformatic tools to locate information and carry our literature searching
  4. work safely in the laboratory
  5. purify compounds to publication standards
  6. demonstrate the application of the techniques and skills which are required to carry out problem solving in Chemistry
  7. use simulation software to generate NMR spectra
  8. able to apply molecular modelling techniques in solving problems in chemistry and biological
  9. contribute to chemistry based research projects in a wide variety of areas
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (60%)
  • Department-based Assessment (40%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module CH5102: "Techniques and Skills for Chemistry Research" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required CH5103: Chemical Research & Problem Solving


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

The student will broaden and deepen their knowledge of Chemistry and develop skills to tackle more advanced problems. They will attend lectures and seminars on modern chemistry topics related to recent research activity in the School of Chemistry. They will contribute to a journal club, developing independent learning, communication and critical analysis skills and take a written examination paper.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of recent topics in Chemistry
  2. Demonstrate the application of knowledge and methodology to problem solving
  3. Demonstrate capacity to independently learn through studying and communicating recent chemistry advances
  4. Participate in discussions with other researchers
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (40%)
  • Department-based Assessment (60%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module CH5103: "Chemical Research & Problem Solving" and is valid from 2015 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BME500: Advanced Biomaterials


Semester 1 | Credits: 5

This module covers the biomaterials aspects of biocompatibility, tissue engineering and drug delivery. Molecular and cellular interactions with biomaterials are analyzed in terms of cellular biology and regenerative medicine.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of biological interactions of different materials.
  2. Develop applications of biomaterials with due recognition of the regulatory context.
  3. Describe methods used to quantify in vitro cell responses to biomaterials.
  4. Explain the protocols and methods designed to predict the efficacy, safety or biocompatibility of biomaterials, prostheses and medical device post-implantation
  5. State research and development trends with regard to characterisation and evaluation of materials in the biological environment.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module BME500: "Advanced Biomaterials" and is valid from 2023 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional GS536: Communication & Outreach


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

The student should only register for this module in the academic year that they intend to complete the module. This module aims to give students the opportunity to understand the relevance and impact of research in society and to communicate research to diverse audiences, including non-specialists. Students will be given an opportunity to broaden their understanding of the social context of research. Students are expected to engage in activities to improve their communication skills, such as workshops and training courses. A key goal of this module is to challenge the student with the task of promoting the themes of their discipline/School/College and communicating technically complex and/or advanced concepts to non-specialist audiences. Detailed learning outcomes for this module should be developed by the supervisor taking into account the suite of online training materials available and the suite of communication opportunities and outreach activities available. Students must complete a report: • describing in detail the training undertaken, • outlining their engagement in practical outreach activities , • providing evidence of their effectiveness (for example audience feedback reports) and • including any outputs, such as presentations or demonstrations.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Communicate complex research topics to non-specialist audiences.
  2. Engage with community through active participation.
  3. Appreciate the role of research in society.
Assessments
  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module GS536: "Communication & Outreach" and is valid from 2016 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CH503: Masterclass in Carbohydrate Chemistry


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module CH503: "Masterclass in Carbohydrate Chemistry" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CH510: Process Development and Scale-Up in the Pharmaceutical Industry


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module CH510: "Process Development and Scale-Up in the Pharmaceutical Industry" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional CH3103: Validation in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industry


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module covers pertinent topics concerning validatory requirements within the biopharma-, pharma, medical device and chemical industries and also Chemistry important in Industry.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Explain in detail and apply the concept of Validation and the Validation Masterplan (VMP) and their roles in the pharmaceutical industry.
  2. Discuss the concept of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) in relation to the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, highlighting the necessity for manufacturers, institutes and governing bodies to exercise and uphold these frameworks
  3. Explain all pertinent aspects of Cleaning Validation, Qualification (which includes Design, Installation, Process and Performance Qualification).
  4. Describe many aspects of Medical Devices and the practical aspects of Quality Control, Good Manufacturing Practices and Drug Development in relation to the Medical Device Industry
  5. Carry out a short research investigation & present the outcome
Assessments
  • Written Assessment (65%)
  • Continuous Assessment (35%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module CH3103: "Validation in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industry" and is valid from 2017 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Research Areas

Research in the School of Chemistry is organized into three complementary groupings or clusters which cut across the traditional boundaries of Organic, Inorganic, and Physical chemistry.  This research aligns with themes identified in Innovation 2020 (Ireland’s strategy for research and development, science and technology), particularly in the areas of health & medical; energy; manufacturing & materials.  It is also aligned with the national priority research areas of therapeutics – synthesis, formulation, processing and drug delivery; diagnostics and medical devices.

Medicinal and Bioactive Chemistry (MBC)

This cluster encompasses synthetic and natural products chemistry, with a focus on the discovery and characterisation of novel bioactive compounds/materials. Key areas include carbohydrates, marine natural products, peptides, heterocycles, bioactive metal complexes, polymers and solid-state pharmaceuticals.  Members actively engage with CÚRAM, Marine Institute, Ryan Institute, and the Synthesis & Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre. (SSPC)

Bioanalytical and Biophysical Chemistry (BBC)

Using a variety of chemical, bio-analytical, and computational techniques this cluster investigates the structure and function of biomolecules and biomaterials, with applications in the bio-pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors.  There is emphasis on understanding biomolecules in complex environments, such as the crowded cell interior, and at surfaces/interfaces.  The members actively contribute to centres, including CCB, CÚRAM, NIBRT, and SSPC. There are multiple large-scale Biopharma industry engagements.

Materials for Energy and Environment (MEE)

Here the aim is to develop novel materials and devices for energy and environmental applications. The research includes improved understanding of (bio)fuel combustion, development of nanomaterials for green energy, and novel devices for environmental analysis and biosensing. Members of this cluster are part of research centres including MAREI and the Ryan Institute. 

Click here—Chemistry Researcher profiles with additional details

Researcher Profiles

  • Burnell, Dr Erica
  • Cheung, Dr David
  • Crowley, Professor Peter
  • Curran, Professor Henry
  • Erxleben, Dr Andrea
  • Farras, Dr Pau
  • Leech, Professor Donal
  • Myers, Dr Eddie
  • Murphy, Professor Paul
  • O’Duill, Dr Miriam
  • O’Leary, Dr Patrick
  • Papatriantafyllopoulou, Dr Constantina 
  • Rochev, Dr Yury
  • Ronconi, Dr Luca
  • Ryder, Professor Alan
  • Thomas, Professor Olivier

Web-link to School of Chemistry staff profiles 

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,500 p.a. (€8,640 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€26,500 p.a. (€26,640 including levy) 2024/25

Contact Us

Dr Andrea Erxleben
T: +353 91 492 483
E: andrea.erxleben@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/science/school-of-chemistry/postgraduate-courses/msc/