AIT Retains Prestigious APS Accreditation for Pharmaceutical Sciences
Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) has retained its prestigious Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) accreditation – a quality mark it received in 2018 for its Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The accreditation has been reaffirmed and extended until 2023 when it will be reviewed again by the APS Board. The third level institute is currently the only provider in Ireland to have been awarded such prestigious accreditation and the second globally.
“Having this prestigious accreditation reaffirmed and extended is a testament to the quality of the curriculum and the hard work and dedication of our academics, each of whom has worked tirelessly to create a comprehensive, rigorous programme of study and an intellectually stimulating learning environment for students,” said Dr Don Faller, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Health at AIT.
The unique multidisciplinary programme, which covers chemical-based and next-generation biotech-based therapeutics and their formulation into safe and effective medicines of high and durable quality, is enjoying increasing attention from both Irish and international students.
Students explore new generation technologies, such as nano-encapsulation and stimuli-sensitive polymers, to determine which are most suitable for drug delivery.
Using sophisticated apparatus and instrumentation, graduates of the four-year degree develop the skills and competence required to enter the pharmaceutical industry.
There are significant employment opportunities for suitably qualified graduates from this programme - particularly in the Midlands, which is a locus for many pharma and healthcare companies.
In its initial assessment of the four-year honours degree, the APS accreditation panel commended the programme’s practical and professional skills modules and noted the positivity and enthusiasm espoused by currently enrolled students.
The BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical Sciences is also recognised for professional graduate admission to the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland (GradICI), the professional body representing chemists in Ireland.
The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) is an esteemed UK-based professional membership body for pharmaceutical scientists.
Athlone Institute of Technology is a research-led third level institute with an applied, industry-focussed offering, world-class research and development capabilities, and state-of-the-art facilities. Winner of The Sunday Times Institute of the Year 2020 and 2018, AIT is Ireland’s top-ranked institute and is on track to become the country’s next technological university. AIT also tops Ireland’s official league table for research and was listed in U-Multirank’s Top 25 Performing Universities in the World for Interdisciplinary Research in 2018 and 2019. For information relating to the institute’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, visit www.ait.ie.