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 projects. Each student registered for the Masters degree in 'Pharmaceutical Engineering' must complete a research-based portfolio. The project is 60 credits. It is the most important individual module in the course. The topic for study is selected in consultation with appropriate members of the teaching staff. You will choose a research project which best fits your interests and undertakes a unique and original project on that area. Projects vary from industrially-based problem solving to laboratory-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. You will present your project as a portfolio consisting of a Technical Review (5,000 words) and a Dissertation (10-15,000 words) and also must present the work as a poster and oral presentation during the academic year. A marking scheme is provided at the start of the project and each research project report is marked using a mark sheet which gives weightings to different parts.

60 credits

Advanced Materials

The module introduces Materials Science and Engineering starting with the fundamentals. This includes the types of materials and their structure, properties and processing. It also provides depth about functional materials and special classes of materials. The module also includes practical aspects on selecting materials for chemical industry.

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 you with a comprehensive understanding of technologies that contribute to the production of complex biological products by engineered cells. An emphasis will be placed on (a) core design principles and tools that underpin engineering of genetic vectors, cells and biopharmaceutical products (e.g. proteins, vaccines, gene therapeutics) and (b) bioproduction process design and optimisation. Case histories and exemplars will be provided by invited external experts from bioindustry to reinforce your understanding of core principles.

15 credits