Pharmaceutical Engineering

Core modules:

Science of Formulated Products

Formulated products are an increasing focus across a wide variety of chemical engineering industries, including the pharmaceutical sector, food manufacture, fast moving consumer goods, fertilisers and catalyst manufacture. These industries are unified by the need to understand particle behaviour and hence this unit will introduce the engineering concepts of various particle processing systems such as powder flow, mixing, granulation, fluidized bed drying and tableting. The theoretical concepts developed in lectures will be reinforced by the opportunity to see Diamond Pilot Plant, which is a world-leading full scale continuous pharmaceutical production line. In addition, the materials will be supplemented by guest lecturers from a range of relevant industries.

15 credits

Continuous Manufacturing Technology: PAT and Process Optimisation

The module covers recent advances in Process Analytical Technology (PAT), which is used in continuous manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. Selection of suitable PAT tools and PAT data interpretation are both addressed. Additionally, the module will present different approaches used in process control and optimization. The lecture topics are designed based on the skills required by the pharmaceutical industry and there is significant input from industrial experts.

15 credits

Advanced Bioprocess Design Project

This module will cover the design of whole biomanufacturing processes for the manufacture of biotherapeutic proteins. This will include a taught component, where process design principles and practice will be learnt; plus assistance during the design process, where you will produce a process design and accompanying report. The course will also cover part of modern quality by design, specifically the attainment of product critical quality attributes through the control of process parameters and its ramifications on process design will be discussed.

15 credits

Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

The module aims to provide an understanding of the key unit operations used in manufacturing biopharmaceutical products including vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and cell/gene therapies. The module will cover fermentation, extraction technologies and purification operations. The module will describe the design and application of each unit of operations, and introduce key associated topics including process engineering, analytical technologies, automation, quality by design, and regulatory issues. The module will have a particular focus on the latest industrial trends, and current and future challenges in biopharmaceutical manufacturing will be studied in-depth.

15 credits

Advanced Biochemical Engineering

This module will extend the use of classical chemical engineering principles of mass balance, energy balance and mass transfer to unit operations used in the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. This will include fermentation, cell culture reactors, homogenisation, centrifugation, filtration and chromatography. Unit operation specific models will also be applied to predict these operations effectiveness.

15 credits

Research Project

The application of scientific and engineering principles to a solution of practical problems of engineering systems and processes is developed throughout the course and demonstrated in particular by the research project. Each student registered for the Masters degree in 'Pharmaceutical Engineering' must complete a research-based portfolio. The research project is worth 60 credits. This is the most important individual module in the course, assessing the student's ability to conduct research on an individual level, also including group aspects when applicable. The topic for study is selected in consultation with appropriate members of the teaching staff, from a list of projects offered alongside the research interests of academic supervisors in the department. You will choose a research project which best fits your interests and conduct unique and original research in that area. Projects vary from industrially-based problem solving to laboratory- or computational-based research and development of new processes or ideas. The research portfolio is a major part of the degree and you will be allocated an academic supervisor who provides advice and guidance throughout the period of study. Opportunities exist for research studies to be carried out in collaboration with other university research centres as well as industrial organisations. Furthermore, you will have the chance to conduct your research project as part of a team of other students on your course, where each student will focus on different aspects of the project. You will present your project as a portfolio consisting of a Technical Review (submitted individually or as a team if working on a team project) and a Dissertation (submitted individually in every case). The dissertation will include a lay summary to communicate to a variety of audiences. You will also be required to present your research work as a poster presentation during the academic year.

 

60 credits

Advanced Materials

This module covers cutting-edge concepts and the latest information on advanced materials, more specifically nanomaterials. It will include next generation applications of emerging nanomaterials and the key properties underpinning some of these applications. The module will focus mainly on the methods used to produce these nanomaterials both at lab- and commercial-scales. Challenges and methodologies for scaling-up and commercialising nanomaterials syntheses will be covered. Hands-on activities in how to translate a synthesis into a process design will be included.

 

15 credits

Optional modules:

Particle Design and Processing

This module will give an introduction to particulate products. An overview of particle and powder characterisation will be given, and particle property distributions and how these change over time will be covered. Particle design (production of new particles with specific attributes) and production methods will be included (e.g. crystallisation and precipitation, granulation, jet break up and spray drying, aerosol processes, chemical vapour deposition, suspension polymerisation and grinding).

15 credits

Process Safety in the Chemical, Pharma and Fine Chemicals Industry

This module addresses process safety in the chemical, pharma and fine chemical industry. It is one of a series of modules which address hazards and risks in specific industries. A wide range of chemical hazards are examined including flammability, toxicity, chemical reactivity and environmental impact. Tools and techniques for identifying hazards and reducing risk are described and practical experience in their use is provided in the form of workshop activities. The module will describe how to prepare a 'basis for safety' for a process.

15 credits

Managing Innovation and Change in Engineering Contexts

This module introduces you to the importance of innovation in manufacturing and service organisations whose primary business activity is engineering and/or technology. Innovation management is introduced as the thoughtful combination of new product/process development and change management. Through case studies, theoretical frameworks, and tools you will come to understand innovation at multiple scales: international, national, regional, organisational and team, with particular emphasis on how organisations manage and exploit the commercial risks and opportunities inherent in innovation, and how project teams and engineers can respond to innovation challenges effectively. The module is aimed at engineering students of any discipline.

15 credits

Biopharmaceutical Engineering

This module will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the processes and technologies that contribute to the production and design of complex biopharmaceutical products. An emphasis will be placed on the core design principles and tools that underpin engineering of cells, DNA elements, culture media, proteins and mRNA constructs. Using latest case studies, students' understanding of core principles will be reinforced by designing industry relevant engineering processes for a range of biopharmaceutical products (e.g. recombinant proteins, vaccines, gene and cell therapeutics).

 



 

15 credits