MSc Programme in Process Analytical Technology

The Master of Science in Process Analytical Technology (PAT) is organised in accordance with Ministerial Order no. 814 of 29 June 2010 on bachelor and master’s programmes (candidatus) at universities (the ministerial order of the study programmes). The programme is under the Food Science Study Board.

Graduation confers the title Master of Science (MSc) in Process Analytical Technology. In Danish: cand.scient. (candidatus/candidata scientiarum i procesanalytisk tekonologi).

 

Chapter 1. The Programme’s objective and competence profile

 

The MSc programme in Process Analytical Technology consists of compulsory courses and optional or elective courses that provide the basis for specialising in areas such as food, fermentation or pharmaceuticals.

 

1.1 The programme’s objective

 

The main objective of the programme is:

• To qualify the students to perform independent functions in natural and technical science-based industries
• To provide the students with insight into scientific, theoretical and experimental methods
• To qualify the students to participate in scientifically based research and development

1.2. The programme’s general profile

 

The Master of Science is given in collaboration between Faculty of Life Science (LIFE) University of Copenhagen and Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FARMA). The programme is given in English in an international environment including international students as well as teachers/educators. The programme will provide the students with the basic tools needed in process analytical technology (sensors, chemometrics, process understanding etc.) as well as with experience on how to combine and use these tools in practical research and development.

 

1.3 The programme’s employment prospects

 

The programme provides graduates with competences that will enable them to perform integrated process development, monitoring and control in the food, feed, pharmaceutical, biotech and general production-oriented industries. The graduates will obtain practical and theoretical competence in experimental design, multivariate data analysis, on-line measurement systems and statistical process analysis to provide an integrated process understanding in collaboration with chemists, process engineers, quality management and regulatory bodies. The student will also obtain background knowledge in the above-related disciplines in order to be able to efficiently communicate with all parties involved in a modern production environment.

 

1.4 The programme’s competence profile

 

During the Master’s programme students must obtain the knowledge, skills and competence described below. Furthermore, students obtain a number of individual qualifications through the participation in elective courses and the preparation of a master’s thesis.

 

After completing the MSc programme in Process Analytical Technology the graduate should be able to:

 

1.4.1 Knowledge

• Describe sampling and instrumental issues in relation to common spectroscopic sensors
• Describe the necessary prerequisites for evaluating and choosing different sensor systems for measuring specific quality and process characteristics.
• Describe the possible approaches for mathematical and statistical modelling and validation of mathematical process or product monitoring model including their relevance for given problems
• Discuss and expand on process insight and chemical knowledge in relation to solving process deficiencies
• Critically evaluate and assess scientific literature in relation to production and process optimization and monitoring.
• Describe the consequences of different production designs in relation to process monitoring

 

1.4.2 Skills

The student is able to

• Plan and conduct experiments in food, feed, bio- and pharmaceutical production using advanced sensor systems, experimental design and chemometric modelling.
• Monitor, optimize and diagnose production, scale-up and quality control based on the above
• Automate and transfer laboratory analyses to near-process measurements
• Assess possibilities and limitations in the application of theories and methods
• Use relevant IT-based tools to search for and retrieve scientific literature and other sources of knowledge
• Communicate effectively to chemists, process engineers, process operators and QA/QC people and non-specialist audience at a variety of levels, using modern and appropriate information and communication tools

 

1.4.3 Competences

• Work in a highly cross-disciplinary team and constructively interact with and affect the work of chemists, engineers, process operators and decision makers
• Formulate an independent theory on the basis of own results and/or scientific literature
• Perform academic work at a high scientific level in process analytical technology and related areas
• Demonstrate capacity for independent thought, creativity and rigour in the application of knowledge and skills in work situations or in research
• Teach and do research and perform management of diverse project groups
• Use lifelong learning as a principle to independently evaluate and structure learning processes and assume responsibility for continuous professional development

 

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

 

År 1	Blok 1	Process Analytical Technology (PAT) I (FARMA)	Process Design of Experiments and Optimation
	Blok 2	Advanced Chemometrics	Quantitavtive Food Spectroscopy
	Blok 3	Thematic Course: Process Analytical Tecnology	Thematic Course: Dairy Processes and Equipment
	Blok 4

 

År 2	Blok 1
	Blok 2
	Blok 3	Thesis (30 or 45 credits)
	Blok 4

 

 

	Compulsory courses
	MSc Thesis
	Elective courses

 

2.1 Content

 

The programme consists of 120 credits and must contain the following elements

 

Compulsory courses - 45 credits

Thematic course - 15 credits

Elective courses - 15 or 30 credits

Thesis - 30 or 45 credits

 

Thesis:

The thesis must be 30 or 45 credits. Theses of 45 credits must have an experimental character. The main supervisor for the thesis may be employed at Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) or Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science (FARMA). The thesis must be in the area of process analytical technology.

 

The compulsory elements (90-105 credits) consist of a thematic course, a thesis and courses corresponding to 45 credits. The courses are the following:

 

DFUA345-1 Process Analytical Technology (PAT) I - 7.5 credits (KU FARMA)

270078     Advanced Chemometrics - 7.5 credits (LIFE)

270059     Process Design of Experiments and Optimation - 7.5 credits (LIFE)

270028     Quantitative Food Spectroscopy - 7.5 credits (LIFE)

270060     Dairy Processes and Equipment – 15 credits (LIFE)

270058     Thematic Course: Process Analytical Technology - 15 credits (LIFE)

 

The courses DFUA344 Introductory Course 2.5 credits and DFUA345 Process Analytical Technology (PAT) I 5 credits have been combined. Students who have followed the courses DFUA344 and DFUA345 are not required to take the course DFUA345-1 Process Analytical Technology (PAT) I 7.5 credits.

 

Projects in Practice may not be included in the programme. Students may, however, submit a fact-specific application to the Food Study Board for permission to include a project in practice in their MSc programme.