MSc Programme in Process Analytical Technology

The Master of Science in Process Analytical Technology (PAT) is organised in accordance with Executive Order no. 338 of May 6 2004 on bachelor and master’s degree programmes in universities. The programme is under the Food Science Study Board.

Graduation confers the title Master of Science (MSc) in Process Analytical Technology.

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 The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, The Technical University of Denmark and The Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 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

• The ability to assess scientific process analytical approaches and other knowledge to formulate an independent theory on the basis of own results and/or scientific literature, and the ability to assess these theories’ possibilities and limitations
• The ability to discuss, cooperate and plan work
• The ability to reflect on problems of communication
• An understanding of relevant IT tools
• The ability to discuss problems in relation to process analytical technology and the importance for the surrounding community

1.4.1 Competences within basic science

• An understanding of spectroscopic and on-line sensor systems from a theoretical and practical point of view
• An understanding of sampling aspects of instrumental measurements
• An understanding of basic mathematical optimization tools and experimental design
• A knowledge of advanced experimental design.
• An understanding of advanced multivariate analysis and statistics
• An understanding of multivariate statistical calibration and process monitoring
• A knowledge of different types of processes and unit operations
• A knowledge on process dynamics, control and optimization. 

1.4.2 Competences within applied science

• An understanding of how to perform and critically evaluate scientific research within the basic competence areas (chemometrics, spectroscopic analysis, experimental design)
• An understanding of the relation of these tools to products and statistical process development/design, monitoring and control
• A knowledge on how to operate in a multidisciplinary and regulated environment
• An understanding of how to present and communicate scientific results in an understandable manner.
• An understanding of basic aspects of process control, monitoring and optimization in various types of processes relevant e.g. to pharmaceutical, food and bioprocessing.
• A knowledge of reactor design and process integration.
• An understanding on how to identify critical process parameters, perform necessary experimental planning, identify appropriate sensory systems, conduct experiments and perform data mining and multivariate modelling for calibration, monitoring and optimization purposes.
• A knowledge on regulatory and legislative aspects as well quality assurance systems relevant in process analysis.

Chapter 2. Degree programme content

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

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

LA-001                   Introduction Course - 2,5 credits (DFU)

LA-002                   Production - 5 credits (DFU)

270002                   Advanced Chemometrics with MATLAB - 7,5 credits (KVL)

270059                   Process Design of Experiments and Optimation - 7,5 credits (KVL)

270028                   Quantitative Food Spectroscopy - 7,5 credits (KVL)

28870                     Process Engineering Principles - 15 credits (DTU)

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

Chapter 3. Admission requirements and enrolment

3.1 Admission requirements

Enrolment in the master’s programme may be on a basis other than the following if the applicants have qualifications equivalent to the following BSc programmes in the areas of: mathematics, statistics, physics, chemical engineering or biological engineering.

KVL: The bachelor’s degree programme in Food Science and Technology

DTU: The bachelor’s degree programme in Biotechnology or Chemical Sciences

DFU: The bachelor’s degree programme in Pharmaceutical Science

Applicants who have successfully completed a relevant degree programme at university level other than the above may apply to the Study Board for approval of their degree as qualifying for admission.

3.2 Enrolment

Admission is possible once a year in September with commencement of studies on September 1. Enrolment is handled by the Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available (currently set to 40), the applicants will be evaluated individually by the Study Board. The selection criteria among qualified applicants will include previous studies, including the composition of subjects studied, studies outside Denmark, relevant work experience, etc. Specifically, the following criteria will be used

• The motivation of the applicant, including the applicant’s intentions after graduation
• The suitability of the prior education compared to the applicant’s motivation
• Marks on the relevant parts of the bachelor’s degree