| Code | CCPDVS |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Qualifications | Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 |
| NFQ Award Title | Special Purpose |
| Fees | €1250 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | 13th September 2024 |
| Next Intake | September 2024 |
| Venue | UCC |
| Start Date | September 2024 |
Course Outline
This programme in Validation Science provides a level 7 qualification in Validation Science over one year for individuals who are seeking to up-skill or cross-skill in order to gain suitable employment in sectors such as biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical and medical device industries. This programme targets employment roles in production/manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, commissioning, qualification, validation and operation roles within pharmaceutical/biotechnology/medical device manufacturing companies. This is an industrially focused course where students gain valuable knowledge and key skills in subject areas pertinent to working in highly regulated manufacturing environments such as GMP, Quality and Validation. The importance of validation of equipment, plant, utilities, processes and procedures in industry will be shown to be an essential approach to consistently producing products of the intended quality
This one-year programme is delivered over two semesters. The first module, Introduction to Validation, introduces key concepts related to working within a GMP environment and the second module (Validation Science) gives the learner a critical understanding of all aspects involved in process validation. Both modules are delivered through a blended approach of online delivery of material content, industrial supported seminars, industrial led webinars and industrial championed workshops. The course is examined through a mixture of continuous assessments which includes industrial themed case studies, individual-based assignments and online examinations of material content.
The modules for the Certificate are as follows:
Course Queries
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Dr Eric Moore at e.moore@ucc.ie.
For Online Application Support please click here.
If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Louise Fleming at l.fleming@ucc.ie.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
One evening per week from October to May.
Course Practicalities
The course consists of two 5 credit modules. All lectures are delivered online with each module containing six units of lecture topics. On completion of each unit the student will be required to complete a series of multiple choice questions (MCQ). Progression to the next unit of lectures is based on achieving an 80% grade in the MCQ. In addition, a series of workshops delivered by industry will be provided and the student will be required to submit an assignment for these. Finally, several industry webinars will also be delivered as well as further reading material and directed study.
Why Choose This Course
Skills and Careers Information
At the beginning of the course the 1st workshop that the students takes is a career professional development (CPD) workshop. This aims to highlight the skills required on completion of the programme in the recruitment and selection process for employment in the sectors identified. In addition, the industrial partners offer advice on career prospects and pathways in the validation field. Networking opportunities are given as part of the workshop/seminars held throughout the programme. Extensive careers services, guidance and support services to the students on the course are available to help in all aspects of employability.
Requirements
Fees and Costs
A limited number of places on this course are available under the Springboard+ initiative which provides fee subsidies of 90-100% for eligible applicants. For more information on Springboard+ and to apply under this scheme, please go to https://springboardcourses.ie/details/14216
Applicants who are self-funded or not eligible for Springboard+ funding can apply directly up to 13th September 2024.
Course fees are €1,250. For information on fees payments and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:
When you log into the Application Portal:
Click Apply Online
Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application
During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Birth Cert or Passport
- Passport Photograph
- English Language Test Report [if applicable]
Year 1 Modules
- CM2011: Introduction to Validation (5 credits)
This module gives the learner an introduction to the concept of validation as required by the principles of current Good Manufacturing Practice and Good Laboratory Practice. The student will gain an insight of the increasing regulatory requirements relevant to the biomedical, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. The following topics will be delivered:
· Requirements of cGMP, QA, GMP, and Quality Control as interrelated aspects of Quality Management.
· Quality Assurance aspects.
· Data Integrity
· Quality Audits.
· Laboratory Management Systems.
· Process Control and Product Release Strategies. - CM2012: Validation Science (5 credits)
· Validation Lifecycle EU and FDA regulations and guidelines. V-Model, introduction to the understanding-demonstration-monitoring approach.
· Process Validation Quality by design, establishing a strategy for process control. Commissioning and qualification of processes and utilities. Process Performance Qualification Continued Process Verification. Prospective, concurrent and retrospective approaches in process validation. Revalidation.
· Risk Management in Process Validation Review of industrially recognised risk management guidelines and application of tools such as PHA, FMECA and Fault Tree Analysis.
· Validation of Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceuticals Validation of APIs, solid dosage forms, inhalation aerosols. Sterilisation and aseptic process validation.
· Validation of Medical Devices Lifecycle approach to validation with a focus on medical devices. Validation vs. verification. Validation of software controlling a medical device.
· Analytical Method Validation Review of the steps to prove that analytical methods are fit for purpose with reference to current guidelines.
· Computer and Automation Validation Compliance with 21 CFR Part 11 and use of GAMP guidelines. Confirmation of data integrity.
· Cleaning Validation Methodologies used to prove the effectiveness of equipment cleaning processes and procedures in the manufacturing process.
· Validation Documentation Preparation and review of validation documents such as the User Requirement Specification, Validation Master Plan, Validation Protocol, Validation Report.