Postgraduate Certificate in BioIndustry 4.0 (Online)

Course Summary

Programme Code: SG_SBIOI_E09  -Certificate in BioIndustry 4.0-  **NEW COURSE**

Delivery: Online

NIBRT and ATU Sligo have aligned to provide certificate programmes that are short, accredited programmes designed in association with industry partners. These programmes focus on upskilling students on the key competencies required for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. These part-time programmes are delivered via a blend of online learning with ATU Sligo, and practical modules in the NIBRT facility.

About this programme:  

The programme is aimed at manufacturing, quality, engineering and site management personnel who are looking to increase their understanding and application of the latest digital trends and technologies in the BioIndustry 4.0 field. It will provide a postgraduate qualification in BioIndustry 4.0 that will form both an introduction for new or proposed entrants to the area and additional skills and knowledge to those working in the area. 

Modules:

Sem 1 Modules 15 credits (3 modules x 5 credits) 
•    Introduction to BioIndustry 4.0
•    Biologics Manufacturing: Current & Future
•    Regulation, Risk and Compliance
Sem 2 Modules 15 credits (2 Modules= 1 x 10 credits, 1 x 5 credits)
•    Bio-Industry 4.0 Theory and Practice (10)
•    Bio-Industry Data & Digital Technologies

Award: 
Certificate in BioIndustry 4.0- Level 9  (30 Credits)

Key Course Information

Course Attendance: Lectures will be delivered online, with all the practical/laboratory work taking place in NIBRT's state of the art facilities.  

Please note: This programme is jointly offered by ATU Sligo and NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training).

Modules:

Sem 1 Modules 15 credits (3 modules x 5 credits) 
•    Introduction to BioIndustry 4.0
•    Biologics Manufacturing: Current & Future
•    Regulation, Risk and Compliance
Sem 2 Modules 15 credits (2 Modules= 1 x 10 credits, 1 x 5 credits)
•    Bio-Industry 4.0 Theory and Practice (10)
•    Bio-Industry Data & Digital Technologies

Contact Details: 

Course Co-ordinator NIBRT: Melissa Hoare
Email: melissa.hoare@nibrt.ie

Course Co-ordinator ATU Sligo: Mary Butler
Email: mary.butler@atu.ie 

Online and Part time Admissions
tel: 071 9318511
email: admissions.sligo@atu.ie

Timetable & Assessment/ Exams: 
Programme Timetables will be available in September/January- (before Programme commences). Students can typically expect online lectures 1 to 2 evenings per week depending on number of modules being taken, there may also be some weekend workshops/attendance depending on the nature of the module.(e.g. Lab/ Practical element). 
As a guide in terms of hours: Please see more detail in the ‘Course Format’ tab on this webpage. In this section, when you select the module you are taking you will see:
•    Coursework & Assessment Breakdown (Continuous Assessment- Assignment / Projects, Exam etc)  and the proposed % breakdown.
•    Online/PT Mode Workload (a guide to the hours expected between lecture time and independent learning)

For this Programme- Assessment is 100% CA (Continuous Assessment).

Award: 
Certificate in Bio-Industry 4.0- Level 9 -(30 Credits)

Application Closing Date : 31st August 2024

Entry Requirements

The programme is open to students who have obtained an honour’s degree (Level 8) or equivalent in an appropriate discipline (i.e. Engineering or Life Sciences). Other candidates with alternative honours degrees and relevant experience in the Biopharmaceutical / Pharmaceutical industry (typically 5 years duration in a GMP environment) may apply for consideration through the ATU Sligo RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) process.

Applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of English language proficiency. For further information on English language requirements click here.

Career Opportunities

Students will graduate with the following skills and attributes to work in the Industry:

•    Comprehensive grounding in biopharma related aspects of Industry 4.0 (BioIndustry 4.0), with specific knowledge of digital technologies.
•    Skills to be employed in technical, manufacturing and quality roles within the growing biopharmaceutical industry.
•    Proficiency to work and communicate with autonomy and effectively through various media.
•    Skill to use a range of problem solving skills, tools and techniques of enquiry relevant to digitisation.

The progamme will provide a postgraduate qualification in BioIndustry 4.0 that will form both an introduction for new or proposed entrants to the area and additional skills and knowledge to those working in the area.

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this programme students can progress onto the L9 BioPharmaceutical Science suite of programmes.

Did you know?

The ability to have the trained workforce necessary to efficiently manufacture highly complex advanced therapeutics in a cost-effective manner will be a key determinant of Irish biopharma’s future success. According to the NIBRT Annual Report 2020, “the biopharmaceutical market is now ≥30% of the world’s total pharmaceutical market including >40% of pharmaceuticals in development now being biopharmaceuticals. In parallel, the Irish biopharma industry rose to the challenge of the pandemic demonstrating its resilience in global supply chains. New foreign direct investment from Pfizer, MSD, Regeneron and others and the growth of the indigenous sector were welcomed throughout the year”.

The success of Irish biopharma and NIBRT has been noted by other jurisdictions now making significant investments in rival biopharma research and training infrastructure.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT), as part of the Biopharma 4.0 (B4.0) Alliance, have launched the world’s first Innovation Centre fully dedicated to Biopharma Operations.

The Innovation Centre showcases the latest Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in Biopharma manufacturing, quality control and training excellence. These technologies are integrated with core operating processes to enable proof-of-concept use cases on new innovations and new ways of working, situated in a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) simulated environment.

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Fees

Total Programme Fee: €6,000

Funding Opportunities

Next Level Skillnet funding may be available to successful applicants who fulfil eligibility criteria. Please email Sue Davies in Next Level Skillnet to find out more information: sue@nextlevel.ie 

To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage. 

If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.

For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here.

If you are seeking to take your exams online, and you meet the eligibility criteria (overseas students and those with extenuating circumstances), an additional examinations fee will apply. For further information, please visit our Examinations webpage. 
 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2