Masters Degrees in Cell Biology, Ireland

The MSc in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation is a unique course aimed at highly-motivated students with an interest in biomedical research in the areas of cancer biology, infection/immunity or molecular neuroscience and entrepreneurial thinking. The course will provide you with a truly interdisciplinary educational experience by combining advanced discipline-specific training with core scientific research, technical expertise and business skills.

Visit the website: http://www.ucc.ie/en/ckr44/

Course Details

A distinctive feature of the MSc in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation is that you will receive formal innovation and technology commercialisation training through modules from the College of Business and Law at UCC.

With three primary research themes – cancer biology, infection/immunity and molecular neuroscience, you will select projects with internationally-renowned research groups from the Schools of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Department of Anatomy/Neuroscience, following the completion of discipline-specific modules.

You will not only possess excellent research and technical skills on graduation but also the necessary business development and commercialisation skills for life science innovation.

Format

The course will consist of lectures, tutorials, hands-on workshops and a research dissertation based on individual research.

Core Scientific Modules (25 credits)

- Cell and Molecular Biology
- Human Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering Techniques
- Biological and Clinical Perspectives of Human Disease

Scientific Skills-Development Modules (10 credits)

- Biotechniques
- Scientific Communication of Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology Core Business Modules (10 credits)
- Marketing for High Technology Entrepreneurs
- Technology and Business Planning

Elective modules (5 credits)

- Creativity and Opportunity Recognition
- Innovation Finance
- Intellectual Property Law for High-Tech Entrepreneurs

Research Project (40 credits)

You will select a project offered by internationally-renowned research groups from the Schools of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Microbiology and Anatomy/Neuroscience. With three primary research themes – cancer biology, infection/immunity and molecular neuroscience, you will complete a six month project based on individual research in one of these themes and compile the results into an MSc dissertation on completion.

You will gain invaluable hands-on, practical experience in experimental design, implementation and data interpretation and develop a wide array of transferable skills, including written and verbal communication; data recording, analysis and presentation; critical evaluation of published material; learning to work collaboratively and independently as well as project and time-management.

Further details on the content and modules are available on the Postgraduate College Calendar - http://www.ucc.ie/calendar/postgraduate/Masters/science/page04.html#molecular

Assessment

Taught modules are examined by formal written examination and continuous assessment. The research dissertation for the six-month research project must be submitted by the end of the first academic year of registration for examination by internal and external examiners.

Careers

You will be ideally positioned to enter into a PhD after graduation, but could also pursue a number of career paths including: technology transfer officer within higher education institutions and national agencies, R&D project manager, commercialisation manager within a life science start-up, or development manager within the pharmaceutical sector. The course will also equip you with the skills required to develop your own start-up venture.

A first destination surveys from 2012 - 2014 have revealed that 100% of our graduates are in employment or further education within one-year of completing the MSc in Molecular Cell Biology with Bioinnovation.

How to apply: http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/how/

Funding and Scholarships

Information regarding funding and available scholarships can be found here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cblgradschool/current/fundingandfinance/fundingscholarships/

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Key Features of the MRes in Biochemistry and Cell Biology

The MRes in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at University College Cork is a research-intensive course designed to maximize a student's hands-on laboratory experience and research skills. The 12-month research project is supervised by an internationally-recognized investigator based in the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Research projects are available in the areas of bioanalysis, bioinformatics, proteomics, cancer biology, cell signaling, gene expression, trafficking, molecular genetics, neurobiology, RNA biology, translational control and synthetic biology. The MRes has a strong focus on presentation and writing skills that are required for a successful research career, including research planning proposal writing. In addition to this, students develop their general and transferable skills in laboratory techniques and safety, research ethics and integrity, information literary, science communication and statistics. Students are also required to attend weekly research seminars presented by both external and internal speakers.

Core and Elective Modules

Students in the MRes programme begin their research projects with a selected supervisor in week two, following a research induction and orientation. In addition to the research component, the following modules must be completed:
- Scientific Communication of Current Topics in Molecular Cell Biology
- Scientific Research Planning and Proposals
Students must also complete one (10-credit) or two (5-credit) electives from several options:
- Scientific Training for Enhanced Postgraduate Studies
- Biotechniques
- Information Literacy Skills
- Scientific Outreach and Communication
- Introduction to Research Ethics
- Statistics and Data Analysis for Postgraduate Research Students

Why choose the MRes in Biochemistry and Cell Biology?

With an emphasis on the individual, the MRes has a dedicated director and experienced academic staff who will help students fulfill their research career ambitions. The School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology is a strong research unit based at University College Cork, Ireland's first 5 star university (QS) and the world's first 'Green Campus'. Recently named 'University of the Year 2016' by The Sunday Times and located within walking distance of Cork city centre, UCC enjoys a great location and a vibrant campus.
Students who complete the MRes will be competitive to secure a PhD position or enter directly into employment within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical sectors. All of the students in our current class have ambitions of continuing on to a PhD.

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Programme Description

The MSc in Biotherapeutics educates students on the practical uses of molecular advances in the discovery of protein and other biomolecular drug candidates and their development into biotherapeutics. It will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of biotherapeutics, beginning with pre-clinical modelling and target identification together with antibody engineering, biochemical and biophysical characterisation, and development issues for bioprocessing. Systems biology of biotechnological processes and approaches to the analysis of proteomics-based discovery data will be covered in detail together with mathematical modelling, bioinformatics analysis and data integration strategies. Regulatory issues, and innovation and commercialisation strategies, will also be covered. Mammalian cell culture and bioprocess laboratory structure will be comprehensively covered in addition to novel approaches to therapeutic development. A practical drug discovery laboratory project will form a significant component of the experience of how candidates are identified and brought through the development pipeline.

Key Fact

This programme is the culmination of close collaboration between the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, Systems Biology Ireland and the Biopharmaceutical Industry in Ireland and across the world.

Course Content and Structure

The structure of the programme is as follows:

Semester 1
• Biotherapeutic Discovery and Development I
• Professional Career Development
• Recombinant DNA Technology
• Business of Biotechnology & Science
• Biomedical Diagnostics
• High Content Screening Microscopy
• Pharmacology & Drug Development

Semesters 2 & 3
• Biotherapeutic Discovery and Development II
• Systems Biology in Drug Development
• Professional Career Development
• Bioprocessing Laboratory
• Emerging Issues in Biotechnology
• Regulatory Affairs
• Microbial & Animal Cell Products
• Project – Biotherapeutic Development

Career Opportunities

This advanced graduate degree in Biotherapeutics has been developed in consultation with the Biopharmaceutical industry and is recognised and valued by them. A key feature is the undertaking of a significant drug discovery and development laboratory project which is reviewed by industry partners. This engagement is designed to help graduates identify opportunities in the industry at the earliest stage. Prospective employers include: Novartis, Glaxo SmithKline, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Janssen Biologics, AstraZeneca, MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb, Abbott, Sanofi.

Facilities and Resources

Students on this programme will benefit from the use of a research skills laboratory in the prestigious UCD Conway Institute, as well as state-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities
in the new O'Brien Centre for Science.

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The MSc in Biotherapeutics and Business educates students on the practical uses of molecular advances in the discovery of proteins and other biomolecular drug candidates and their development into biotherapeutics. It will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of biotherapeutics, beginning with pre-clinical modelling and target identification together with antibody engineering, biochemical and biophysical characterisation, and development issues for bioprocessing.
Systems biology of biotechnological processes and approaches to the analysis of proteomicsbased discovery data will be covered in detail, together with mathematical modelling, bioinformatics analysis and data integration strategies. Regulatory issues, and innovation and commercialisation strategies, will also be covered. Mammalian cell culture and bioprocess laboratory structure will be comprehensively covered in addition to novel approaches to therapeutic development. You will also receive a comprehensive business education. You will learn to identify and solve business problems in local and international settings, enhance your communication and leadership skills, and improve your ability for independent thinking and developing creative solutions.

Key Fact

The programme is the result of a close collaboration between the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and the UCD
Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, which is Ireland’s leading business school.

Course Content and Structure

90 credits 60 credits 30 credits
taught masters taught modules project modules
The structure of the programme is as follows:
Semester 1
• Professional Career Development
• Management & Org. Behaviour
• Corporate Accounting & Finance
• Business of Biotechnology & Science
• Biotherapeutic Pipeline I
• Recombinant DNA Technology
• Biomedical Diagnostics
• High Content Screening Microscopy
• Pharmacology & Drug Development
Semester 2
• Professional Career Development
• Biotherapeutic Pipeline II
• Systems Biology in Drug Development
• Bioprocessing Laboratory
• Emerging Issues in Biotechnology
• Regulatory Affairs
• Microbial & Animal Cell Products
Semester 3
• Valuation and Commercialisation of Biotherapeutics
• Biotherapeutics Case Study
Modules and topics shown are subject to change and are not guaranteed by UCD.

Career Opportunities

This advanced graduate degree in Biotherapeutics and Business has been developed in consultation with employers and therefore will be recognised and valued by them. A key feature is the opportunity to carry out a business development plan, which will allow graduates to develop connections with prospective employers, thereby enhancing chances of employment on graduation.
Prospective employers include: Abbott; Allergan; Amgen; Baxter Healthcare;
Eli Lilly and Co.; Dignity Sciences; GlaxoSmithKline; Icon Clinical Research;
ImmunoGen Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutical Ltd.; Johnson & Johnson Ltd.; Merck
Sharp & Dohme; Quintiles; Quest International; Sandoz; Seroba Kernel.

Facilities and Resources

Students on this programme will benefi t from the use of a research skills laboratory in the prestigious UCD Conway Institute, as well as state-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities in the new O’Brien Centre for Science.

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