Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business and Management) UCL

Overview

This Bioprocessing of New Medicines (Business and Management) programme from the University College London (UCL) is a truly interdisciplinary programme. It draws on the knowledge of experts from across UCL in science, engineering, management and humanities.

In the first year, you will study the basics of how a drug is created, made at scale and what the challenges of creating new medicines are. You will also study the prerequisite management principles involved in running an organisation and dealing with the accounts, as well as the fundamentals of data management.

In year two you will study the internal and external factors that govern pharmaceutical production, with emphasis on clinical needs and their constraints. A wide spectrum of knowledge is encompassed, from statistical analysis to legal and ethical concerns. You will also grow to understand the role of the Internet in globalisation and access to medicines.

The third year addresses a more in-depth understanding of global practices, business planning, and the feasibility and economics of creating therapeutics and vaccines in both developed as well as developing markets. You will also undertake an independent bioprocess research project.

Career

The core science, engineering, business and leadership skills that you acquire on the programme will provide you with excellent and diverse career prospects. In addition to your core subject knowledge, the programme will provide you with skills such as innovative thinking, team-working and computing.

The excitement of advances towards new medicines and greener sustainable processes is creating an ever-growing need for biochemical engineering graduates in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biofuels, chemical, environment and food industries.

You may be based in a university, or elect to work in company research and development activity that is involved in the design of facilities and the creation of safe materials. The programme teaches skills in systematic thinking and precise calculation, leading some graduates to enter the financial sector (particularly those companies which invest in healthcare).