Course Summary
What is Medical Biotechnology: Medical Biotechnology is the application of biological systems for medical and industrial uses. Did you ever wonder how diseases are diagnosed in hospital labs or where insulin comes from that diabetics use? Did you know that many modern day drugs for the likes of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis are produced using biological systems?
Medical biotechnology is a revolutionary industry that has had a major impact on the production of drugs, hormones and diagnostics over the last 20 years. This programme gives graduates access to the latest industry innovations and advancements, teaching them skills needed to gain employment in the biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, diagnostics and medical device industries in Ireland and abroad.
Innovative teaching methods are used on the programme, including the use of social networking, game-based learning, industrial workshops and visits to target industries and employers. We also recognize the importance of transferable skills such as data presentation, information sourcing and scientific technical writing which allows students to broaden their employment possibilities.
Programme Overview
Add-on Year: In this one year add-on, focus is on the biopharmaceutical industry and its role today. Students also complete a research project on a specific area of interest.
Special Features
Students enrolled in this course also gain training experience at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research & Training (NIBRT) in Dublin, which gives them key skills and competencies for working in the Biopharmaceutical industry.
Graduate Destinations
Graduates from this programme work across many bio-based industries including biopharmaceutical, diagnostics, and medical devices. They gain roles as technologists, instrumentation scientists, process technician, cell culture scientist and protein and drug analysts. Many graduates also pursue M.Sc.’s or doctoral research in IT Sligo or in other higher education institutions.
While many enter industry as basic grade scientists, it is noted that many gain promotion within a short time (e.g. 2yr.).
Click here to apply for this course
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
Candidates with a relevant level 7 degree, such as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from IT Sligo, or similar, are eligible to apply.
Career Opportunities
Graduates can expect exciting and diverse careers within multinational and indigenous Irish companies in a sector that is predicted to undergo rapid expansion over the next ten years; working at the forefront of medical science technologies. Career opportunities include instrumentation scientists, process technicians, research technicians, regulatory affairs scientists, and process research and process development scientists.
Further Study
Students can apply for further postgraduate study at Level 9 Masters (both taught and research) and Ph.D or a full-time MSc in Bioprocessing (IT Sligo).
Course Format
Semester 1
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Industrial Placement and Case Studies | 05 |
| Recombinant Cell Engineering | 05 |
| Cell Culture Processing | 10 |
| Medical Diagnostics | 05 |
Semester 2
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Biopharmaceutical Validation | 05 |
| Protein Purification | 10 |
| Analytical Testing of Biopharmaceuticals | 05 |
| Formulation and Delivery Systems of Biopharmaceuticals | 05 |
| Medical Biotechnology Project | 10 |