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1. Study
2. Micro-credentials
3. Study Micro-credentials
4. Micro-credential modules
5. PE6010: Pharmaceutical Engineering

Course Fact File

Code	PE6010
Duration	12 weeks
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	€1,000 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	28 Aug 2026
Venue	Blended delivery.
Credits	5
Start Date	11 Sep 2026

Outline

Module Goal

To gain an understanding of the product forms, manufacturing processes and unit operations employed in the primary (API) and secondary (final dosage form) production of pharmaceuticals including product packaging.

Module Content

• Production of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals and unit operations used
• Intermediate bulk containers, reactors, purification techniques, crystallisation, separators (filters, centrifuges), dryers
• Pharmaceutical dosage forms and their applications
• Production of solid dosage forms, tablets (content, dispensing, milling, granulating, spheronisation, compression, coating), capsules, semi-solid dosage forms
• Production of liquid dosage forms
• Production of inhalation dosage forms
• Pharmaceutical packaging. Pharmaceutical containment and handling

Additional Teaching Mode Information

• 1 x 4hr(s) lectures
• 1 x 8hr(s) tutorials
• 1 x 12hr(s) problem-based learning

In person lecture/tutorial date

Date	Time	Location
Friday 11 September	1pm - 6pm	Food Science Building FSB_322
Saturday 10 October	9am - 4pm	Electrical Engineering Building ELECT_L2

Practicalities

Continuous Assessment - 100 marks

Assignment	Pharma API Plant Design & Operation Questions	15
Project	Pharma API Design Exercise	35
Assignment	Pharma Dosage Form Design & Operation Questions	15
Project	Pharma Dosage Form Design Exercise	35

Why Choose

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate drug production and delivery techniques and with particular reference to oral solid dosage forms and dissolution modelling;
2. Summarise technological principals and relevant unit operations in a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant and select appropriate equipment types for various manufacturing operations;
3. Identify typical difficulties associated with pharmaceutical manufacturing and suggest methodologies to overcoming these;
4. Describe in detail appropriate primary and secondary packaging and associated equipment;
5. Design a pharmaceutical production plant with a particular emphasis on containment and materials handling.
6. Analyse future trends and drivers for change in the pharmaceutical industry, such as Pharma 4.0

Requirements

Applicants must have a BE (Hons) or BEng (Hons) Degree or equivalent engineering qualification, with a minimum Second-Class Honours Grade II, OR a level 8 BSc degree, with a minimum grade Second Class Honours Grade II, where the BSc graduate has a recognised qualification in process or Chemical Engineering (e.g. Diploma in Process and Chemical Engineering at UCC or equivalent). However, applicants with equivalent academic qualifications and suitable experience may be accepted subjected to the approval of the Programme Director under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), In all cases, the course of studies for each application must be approved by the Programme Director.

Fees and Costs

€1,000

How To Apply

Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).

1. Start a new application
   • WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
2. During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
   • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
   • Course Type: Microcredentials
   • Academic Programme: Pharmaceutical Engineering (PE6010)

Apply Now