The Postgraduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry may be taken full-time over 9 months or part-time over 18 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Part-time students must have sufficient day-release, including spending a designated full day in the University.

Candidates must have a BSc or HETAC/NCEA Ordinary Degree/Diploma in Science with merit or distinction. The number of places is limited and selection will be made on the basis of the candidate's previous academic performance. Graduates with equivalent qualifications in related areas of science and technology, or with proven and relevant industrial experience can be considered for places following interview and assessment. Candidates must be approved by the Professor of Analytical Chemistry and/or the Co-ordinator of the MSc/Postgraduate Diploma Programme, and by the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science. Bridging courses may be assigned as a prerequisite depending on the background of the individual candidate.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

CM6012 Modern Analytical Techniques, Chemical Data Analysis and GLP (10 credits)
CM6013 Separation Science, Sensors and Process Analytical Technology (10 credits)
CM6014 Materials, Pharmaceutical and Bio-analysis (10 credits)
CM6015 Practice of Analytical Chemistry (10 credits)
CM6019 Research Project in Analytical Science (10 credits)
plus
10 credits from the following:
PF6301 Biopharmaceuticals: Formulation Design, Secondary Processing and Regulatory Compliance (10 credits)
or
EV4002 Environmental Monitoring (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2019/2020 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2019/2020.

Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve problems in the analysis of pharmaceutical compounds;
• Outline fundamental and applied aspects of pharmaceutical analysis;
• Design and carry out a method of pharmaceutical analysis, including instrumental analysis;
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion;
• Communicate effectively with the chemistry and pharmaceutical communities;
• Carry out research and method development in pharmaceutical analysis;
• Prepare a written research report in the form of a dissertation.