Funded - Higher Diploma in Spectroscopic Technologies and Data Analysis for Advanced Manufacturing

Graduates with skills in Advanced Spectroscopy, Analytical Science, Instrumentation, Calibration and Data Analytics are highly sought after in the food/pharmaceutical/materials manufacturing industries. Job readiness is embedded in this programme through both credit bearing and non-credit bearing modules.??

Tell us a little about this Diploma in ?Spectroscopic Technologies and Data Analysis for Advanced Manufacturing being offered at UCD?

This new Higher Diploma is built on nearly 20 years of expertise in spectroscopy and chemometrics developed in the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering. This cross-cutting interdisciplinary programme was proposed following a consultation process with industry partners and directly addresses the following priority skills needs for enterprise as identified by the Regional Skills Fora and the National Training Fund advisory group: Advanced Spectroscopy, Good Manufacturing Practice, Quality Management in Food/Biopharma/Pharma/Materials production, Analytical Science, Industrial Instrumentation, Calibration, Statistics, Data Analytics. Big Data, Smart Manufacturing IOT and Industry 4.0.

The programme is full-time over 2 semesters, and will allow you to upskill or reskill to work in a company process analytical technology team.

What is unique about this Graduate Diploma

This programme is unique because the skills and competencies attained are fine-tuned through an industry-related project (with one-to-one expert supervision) that puts the theoretical learning into action, targeted at the sector you are interested in. ?Faculty in our School were responsible for the first facility for spectral imaging in Ireland, and are at the forefront of research and development, funded by the European Union, SFI and industry. We have worked with a range of sectors including agriculture, food, biopharma and processing.

What type of student should consider taking this Graduate Diploma or what backgrounds would be suitable?

Anyone with a good science, technology or engineering degree (or 5 years equivalent work experience) will be able to successfully complete this programme. Comfort working with data and doing fairly basic calculations would be an advantage, though this is part of the learning curve in this programme. If you currently work as a member of a quality control team, or want to move your career in that direction, this programme will be idea for you.

How will it benefit them and their career?

Graduates with skills in Advanced Spectroscopy, Analytical Science, Instrumentation, Calibration and Data Analytics are highly sought after in the food/pharmaceutical/materials manufacturing industries. Job readiness is embedded in this programme through both credit bearing and non-credit bearing modules. ?

Tell us about the course content and the structure of the masters.

The programme is delivered in a blended mode, with most lectures having an online option. Practical classes have a timetabled slot, but can be completed at other times to fit around daily workload. Workshop-tutorials are scheduled on campus each term to facilitate class networking and to ensure all participants are progressing successfully. There is a strong emphasis on problem-based learning through project work. For those who want to attend on campus, it is possible to come to the regular timetabled classes, but this is not necessary to successfully complete the modules. The programme runs over two terms with a full workload from September to April.

Term 1: MATLAB and R for beginners; Data Science for Biopharma Manufacturing; Chemometrics 1; Hyperspectral imaging; Engineering Project Management; Biopharmaceutical Industry Regulation and Management (30 ECTS)

Term 2: Sensors and Sensing Systems; Optical Sensing Technology; Chemometrics 2; IoT enabled AgriFood; Experimental Project (30 ECTS)?

How will this programme be delivered?

All modules will facilitate blended learning, but some real-time attendance in lab sessions will be required in well defined, advance scheduled, coordinated blocks of time. It will be possible for students to complete approximately 70% of the programme completely online, without the need to attend campus. However, for those who want to attend campus, students enrolled in the programme are free to attend timetabled face-to-face lectures and lab sessions on campus if they wish.

More information or to apply?

Go to SpringBoard or reach out to [email protected]