Masters degree in Pharmaceutical Technology

General Objectives of the Course

The Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Technologies (MPT) aims to:
- Stimulate pharmaceutical innovation, combining theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the context of the current methodologies employed in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology;
- Prepare scientifically and technically qualified professionals in the Pharmaceutical Technologies’ area, for a pharmaceutical delivery of quality with added value through the development of innovative products and processes;
- Provide specialized training in the pharmaceutical sector and in the post-graduate stage or the update corporate technical staff;
- Open perspectives of professional integration in research and development groups in this area, as well as service and consulting companies on research and development of novel dosage forms.

Admission Requirements

Candidates to the master’s degree may be:
a) holders of a Bachelor’s degree or legal equivalent in Pharmaceutical Sciences or in the area of the Health Sciences whose personal curriculum reveals an adequate basic scientific preparation, namely in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology;
b) holders of a foreign higher academic degree, that was awarded after accomplishing a 1st cycle of studies, which should be structured according to the principles of the Bologna Process in an adhering country to this Process, in the areas referred to in point a);
c) holders of a foreign higher academic degree that is recognized to meet the objectives of the Bachelor’s degree by the legal competent Scientific Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
d) holders of an academic, scientific or professional curriculum, which is recognized as attesting the capacity to accomplish this cycle of studies by the legal competent Scientific Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy, namely in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology.
The recognition referred to in sub-paragraphs b) to d) only results in access to the study cycle leading to the master’s degree and does not confer on the holder the equivalence to the bachelor’s degree or the recognition of that degree.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Career opportunities can be found in research and development departments of pharmaceutical industries, project management and senior research in production, scale transposition and project design.

Mode of Study

The course is delivered in full time or part time attendance and daytime schedule.

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever assessment includes more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according to a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The Master’s degree provides students with the competences to understand the physical and chemical basis underlying the modern conduction and release of pharmaceuticals; to develop pharmaceutical products; to plan tests and technological transference; to manage “drug development” projects; to understand bioinformatics bases; to integrate and lead multidisciplinary scientific projects related to pharmaceuticals – technology and bioavailability. It also provides a solid knowledge on specific systems of pharmaceuticals release that allows their rational management and “drug development” project management skills. In addition, it intends to develop the competences required to promote pharmaceutical development and scale transposition, the knowledge of biopharmaceutical basis which are to support modern pharmaceutical technology in the development of systems which enable the transport of “big molecules”. The degree also fosters the development of skills of leadership of medicine-based multidisciplinary scientific projects.

Course Coordinator(s)

Carla Sofia Pinheiro Vitorino
uc40743@uc.pt

João Carlos Canotilho Lage
jcano@ci.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ana Cláudia Paiva Santos
acsantos@ff.uc.pt

António José Ribeiro
aribeiro@ff.uc.pt

Carla Sofia Pinheiro Vitorino
uc40743@uc.pt

Ricardo António Esteves de Castro
rcastro@ff.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The legal framework for the qualification is established by the decrees: Decree-Law no. 74/2006, 24th March, amended and republished by the decree: DL no 107/2008, 25th June; Ordinance no. 782/2009, 23rd de July

Graduation Requirements

In order to successfully complete the cycle of studies, students must achieve a total of 120 ECTS by attending courses (60 ECTS) and writing a project/thesis (60 ECTS). The degree has a two-year duration (2 school semesters + 2 semesters to write the project/thesis).

Access to Further Studies

Students receive the Master’s degree in Medicine Technologies once they achieve 120 ECTS. This degree has two-year duration (2 school semesters + 2 semesters to write the thesis). After graduating, students may apply to a PhD (3rd cycle of studies).

Study Programme

Masters degree in Medicine Technologies

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: 6393

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 4 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 09-09-2024
End date: 14-12-2024
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2022-07-31 a 2028-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Ef 1628/2011/AL01; 2023-06-21