MScPharmaceutical Analysis

Why this course?

This course gives you specialised knowledge of the analytical techniques used to detect, identify and quantitatively determine drugs and related substances.

You’re introduced to techniques for evaluating analytical data and validating analytical methods. You’ll also examine strategies for analytical research and development.

You’ll gain practical experience in a wide range of modern instrumentation and techniques.

You’ll study

The course consists of four theory and two practical modules running between October and April followed by examinations.

If you pass all exams and wish to proceed to MSc then you’ll undertake a 10-week research project. This will be in the University or at an external company or organisation. You’ll submit a thesis at the end of August.

Facilities

The Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS) offers an excellent environment for research and teaching. It’s located in a new building with several laboratories. All are fitted with the latest equipment.

The course has access to the full range of analytical spectroscopic and chromatographic instrumentation including:

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Ultra-Violet (UV)
Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR_FTIR)
Mass Spectrometry (MS)
High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Gas Chromatography (GC)
Liquid Chromatograph/Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/GC-MS)

Teaching staff

Dr David Watson, Course Leader
Dr Watson’s general research interests include:

mass spectrometry-based metabolomics
mass spectrometry imaging
chromatographic retention mechanisms
chemical profile and biological properties of propolis

Dr Iain D H Oswald
Dr Oswald is part of the team that teaches spectroscopic methods such as IR, spectrofluorimetry and circular dichroism. His research focuses on materials at high pressure and he has a general interest in the solid-state and polymorphism/co-crystallisation of materials.

Dr Christine Dufes
Dr Dufes teaches Binding Assays on the MSc course. Her research interests are:

Design and development of novel tumour-targeted anti-cancer therapeutic systems
Design and development of novel therapeutic systems able to reach the brain after systemic administration, with the ultimate aim to facilitate drug delivery to brain tumours and neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel
Dr Edrada-Ebel teaches NMR spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry in Pharmaceutical Analysis. Her research focuses on natural products chemistry of macro-organisms and micro-organisms from both the marine and the terrestrial habitat.

Course content

Compulsory classes

Chemical & Statistical Analysis

The class aims to develop an integrated knowledge and ability to apply the principles of chemical (titrimetry), statistical and chemometric methods in the quantitative/qualitative analysis of drugs and related substances, including their effectiveness.

The class also aims to provide an understanding of:

the physicochemical properties of drug substances
the stability of drugs or formulations
the basic calculations used in the analysis of drugs
the principles and application of method validation in analytical procedures

Spectrophotometric & Spectroscopic Methods

The class aims to develop a detailed knowledge of a variety of spectrophotometric techniques used in the quantitative/qualitative analysis of drugs and related substances. The lectures are integrated with “real world” examples in the use of each technique in the quantitative/ qualitative analysis of pharmaceuticals/related substances to ensure you have the ability to apply learnt principles.

Techniques studied include:

UV/visible spectrophotometry
Fluorescence spectrophotometry
Infrared spectrophotometry
Near infrared spectrophotometry
Raman spectrophotometry
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Mass spectrometry - lectures and workshops cover both electron impact and atmospheric ionisation techniques (electrospray and chemical ionisation)

The class also provides an understanding of the application of UV, IR, NMR and MS techniques in the structural elucidation of known (and new) drugs and/or chemical entities.

Chromatography

The class aims to develop an integrated knowledge and ability to apply the principles of separation (chromatographic) techniques and methods in the quantitative/qualitative analysis of drugs and related substances. Techniques studied include:

Thin Layer Chromatography
Gas Chromatography
High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Capillary Electrophoresis

Bioanalysis, biotechnology & quality and management

This class aims to give you a thorough understanding of the procedures used to analyse drugs in biological matrices. You'll also obtain a thorough understanding of the procedures used to assure quality in both synthetic and biotechnologically produced drugs.

Chemical & Spectroscopic Methods

This class is laboratory based and is used to develop practical lab skills of relevance to current industrial and academic practice.

The aims of this class are to provide you with an appreciation and knowledge of the practical skills necessary when using chemical and spectroscopic techniques for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical substances and ingredients in formulations.

Chromatographic & Bioanalytical Methods

This class is laboratory based and is used to develop practical lab skills of relevance to current industrial and academic practice. It has been designed to enable you to develop an integrated knowledge base and critical understanding of the practical skills relating to the pharmaceutical analysis and quality control of medicinal products, as preparation for progress to practice as a pharmaceutical analyst.

The class provides an appreciation of chromatographic techniques used in the qualitative, quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical substances and ingredients in formulations.

Research Project

Students who pass the necessary number of class passes are eligible to do a research project to gain the required number of credits for an MSc.

The research project takes place over ten weeks from May until the end of August. Projects can be internal (within SIPBS) or external.

We have external placements within pharmaceutical companies, other Universities, government/European bodies and other industries. We aim to place as many students as we can in external placements. Internal placements are conducted with members of staff from SIPBS, usually within an area of active research within the department. These internal projects are by no means inferior to external placements, and students regularly achieve their name on scientific publications from these projects.

Learning & teaching

The course is taught by experts based in SIPBS. There’s also specialised lectures from visiting professors and world-renowned scientists who are working in the pharmaceutical and analytical industries and legislative bodies, including the European Pharmacopoeia.

Teaching of theory and applications is through lectures, tutorials and web-based learning. The material is further reinforced with practical sessions which provide you with hands-on experience with a wide range of modern instrumental techniques.

Assessment

Assessment is through written and practical examinations and submission of a thesis (MSc students only).

Entry requirements

Minimum second class honours degree or international equivalent in an appropiate science.

English language requirements

You must have an English language minimum score of IELTS 6.0 (with no component below 5.5).

We offer comprehensive English language courses for students whose IELTS scores are below 6.0. Please see ELTD for full details.

Pre-Masters preparation course

The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non EU/UK) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde. The Pre-Masters programme provides progression to a number of degree options.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.

Fees & funding

2019/20

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

Scotland/EU

£8,100

Rest of UK

£8,100

International

£19,500

How can I fund my course?

A number of scholarships are available for outstanding UK, EU and international applicants. For details, please visit our scholarship search.

Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students

Scottish and non-UK EU postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Students coming from England

Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Students coming from Wales

Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.

Students coming from Northern Ireland

Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.

Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.