| Code | PDIBB |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 Months |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | PG Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| EU Fees | Free or 90% funded See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised. |
| Credits | 60 |
| Start Date | 9 September 2024 |
Course Outline
Our PG Diploma in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing is taught by staff from the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC. On this course we aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills for careers in the industrial biotechnology, engineering biology, biomanufacturing, biorefinery, and bio-economy sectors.
This is an interdisciplinary diploma that combines microbiology, biotechnology, and process & chemical engineering and caters to those of you coming from biological, chemical, or engineering backgrounds. We place a strong emphasis on industry-relevant and practical skills training, alongside state-of-the-art academic content. As well as learning how to develop bioprocess solutions, you will acquire employment-related skills such as planning, teamwork, negotiating, communicating, and presenting ideas and results in written and oral format.
Our graduates will be highly sought-after by industry as they will possess the skills that are required to implement the societal transition from its fossil resource dependency to a sustainable, circular, bio-based economy. This transition is fundamental if national and international climate and sustainability targets are to be achieved.
Modules
The PG Diploma funded by HCI Pillar is a 9-month (60 credit) course:
- MB6004 Advanced Molecular Microbial Biotechnology (5 credits)
- MB6015 Microbial Strain Engineering (5 credits)
- MB6016 Microbial Physiology in Bioreactors (5 credits)
- MB6017 Biorefinery Concepts for the Bio-based Economy (5 credits)
- PE6037 Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Bioprocessing (5 credits)
- PE6038 Industrial Bioprocessing Systems (5 credits)
- PE6039 Manufacturing Excellence in the Bioprocessing Industries (5 credits)
- PE6042 Sustainable Biochemical Engineering (5 credits)
- PE6040 Engineering Principles and Operation of Microbial Bioprocesses (10 credits)
- PE6041 Bioprocess Design Studio (10 credits)
MEngSc Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing
Graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing, who have passed all modules within the PG Diploma, and have received an aggregate mark of 50%, will be eligible to progress to the MEngSc Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing. Eligible graduates will be contacted by the course director to confirm eligibility, and can then apply for the MEngSc Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing via UCCApply.
The MEngSc will not be funded as part of the HCI Pillar 1 initiative and applicants will be required to self-fund this Master’s (MEngSc) degree. The cost for the 30-credit MEngSc component is €3,000.
Course Practicalities
The PG Diploma in Industrial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing is a full-time 9-month course. Between September and June, you will attend industry-relevant lectures, and participate in tutorials, workshops and laboratory hand-on training sessions from Monday to Friday during regular working hours.
While extensive use will be made of technology to aid teaching and learning, this is an in-person course and students are required to be on campus.
Semester 1
During semester 1, face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops will be run on the UCC Campus from Monday to Friday. The amount of time that you will spend in these sessions is about 20h/week. You will also spend some time interacting with colleagues on team projects and assignments, and in preparing and completing your own assignments. The interactive aspects of the course require that you attend in person but supporting material for lectures and course notes will be available online.
Semester 2
During semester 2, face-to-face lectures, tutorials, workshops, and practical sessions will be run on the UCC Campus from Monday to Friday. There is increased emphasis on laboratory practical training in semester 2 but the total amount of time that you will spend in timetabled sessions remains about 20h/week. You will also spend some time interacting with colleagues on team projects and assignments, and in preparing and completing your assignments. The interactive aspects of the course require that you attend in person but supporting material for lectures and course notes will be available online.
Assessment
You will be mainly assessed by continuous assessment, which is a feature of all modules in this course. There will be a strong focus on group work, reflecting the norm in the industry and enabling you to acquire a broad portfolio of relevant skills that are applicable as you progress your career.
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by academic staff of the Schools of Microbiology and Engineering & Architecture. In addition, guest lecturers from industry and academia, adjunct professors, and other experts with a broad range of national and international experience contribute to the programme.
Why Choose This Course
Our Industrial Biotechnology & Biomanufacturing course is designed for those of you who seek exciting careers that will have a positive impact on society. By doing this course, you can be part of the generation that will drive the transition from a fossil-based society to one that is sustainable for future generations.
The interdisciplinarity of this course is one of its most powerful selling points. While there are many graduates with either engineering or biotechnology skills, there are few with both. Nationally and internationally, there is a lack of postgraduate courses that offer this combination specifically tailored for the biorefinery and biomanufacturing sectors. The hands-on practical training, group work, and focus on industry-relevant problems throughout the course are key strengths of this course. The emphasis is on applying technical skills and knowledge in a useful way. This means that our graduates will be immediately ready to apply these skills and to take leadership positions in the bio-economy industry.
Skills and Careers Information
Our PG Diploma graduates will be highly sought-after in the bioeconomy sector, which includes food production, bioenergy generation, biomanufacturing, and industrial biotechnology.
There is already a global shortage of scientists and engineers for these industries and thus opportunities will continue to increase as the sector expands. These opportunities will be global as all countries are implementing policies to implement the circular, bio-based economy. You will not only have the technical (science and engineering) skills needed to develop solutions, you will also have the transversal personal skills and attributes that are vital for work in the industrial sector.
Requirements
Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in engineering or a relevant science. Accepted degrees include: Process & Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics or another relevant engineering or life-science subject.
Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants who do not meet the above academic entry requirements may be considered for admission and will be assessed on a number of factors including:
- Academic Achievement
- Prior Work Experience
- Personal Statement
All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. See our English language proficiency requirements.
Fees and Costs
Places will be subsidised under the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 as follows:
- Standard EU Fee: €9,300
- 90% Subsidised Fee: €930 payable by the applicant.
- 100% Subsidised Fee: No course fee is payable by the applicant.
See What will it cost? on the HCI webpage for more information.
How To Apply
Applications must be made on Springboard+.
- If you already have a Springboard+ account, please apply here
- If you are new to Springboard+, please create an account here to apply
- When you log into your existing account or register for a new account, go to the search courses tab and search for the course you are interested in applying for. Further instructions can be found in the 'How to Apply' section of the Springboard+ webpage.
Applicants are advised to apply early as high demand is anticipated and places are limited. Applications cannot be assessed until all supporting documentation has been received.
Documentation that you will need for your application
1. Applicants who meet the Academic Entry Requirements will need:
- Copies of transcripts from all previous relevant educational qualifications. A parchment may also be required in some instances
- A Personal/Motivation Statement: In 500 words or less, please state why you wish to study this programme
- An up-to-date CV
Where English is not your first language you are required to submit a copy of a UCC approved English Language Test/Exam.
2. Applicants who apply under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), will need:
- Copies of transcripts from all previous relevant educational qualifications. A parchment may also be required in some instances
- Personal / Motivation Statement - In 500 words or less, please state:
- Why you wish to study this programme
- How your experience, professional and educational, equips you for admission to the course despite not meeting the academic entry requirements
- An up-to-date CV
- References where applicable
Where English is not your first language you are required to submit a copy of a UCC-approved English Language Test/Exam.
3. Eligibility for HCI Pillar 1 Funding
In addition to the above, academic, English language and RPL requirements, all applicants must provide proof of the following in order to qualify for HCI Pillar 1 funding:
- Evidence of living full-time in the Republic of Ireland
- Evidence of holding a valid Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
- Evidence of having lived in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland for 3 out of the past 5 years
- Evidence of meeting the nationality/visa requirement
- Evidence of meeting one of the following employment statuses:
- Employed
- Unemployed and in receipt of an eligible Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment for 9 out of the past 12 months
- Recent graduate (2023 or 2024)
- Returner
- Self-employed
- Formerly self-employed
The above funding eligibility documentation will be required after acceptance of a provisional offer, and not earlier than 6 weeks before course commencement. For more detailed information on what constitutes acceptable evidence please visit the Springboard+ website.