School of Health & Science Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) in Science (Common Entry)

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Course Overview

This course gives students the opportunity to study common science topics for the first 2 years before specialising into an Award option stream in Years 3 and 4; Biopharmaceutical Science or Environmental Bioscience (Subject to student numbers).

Environmental Bioscience: Environmental Bioscience investigates the natural world and how things work and addresses the ongoing problems relating to environmental and climatic degradation.

Biopharmaceutical Science: Biopharmaceutical Science focuses on how to develop, analyse and produce new drugs while developing an understanding of the principal scientific challenges in the manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products.

What makes this course different

Understanding the Industry

Scientists are extremely important to modern society as they investigate the challenges and possibilities of the natural and technological world, from drug discovery and public health to environmental concerns. Biopharmaceutical science is the study of how biological molecules can be designed, manufactured and used as medicines. Environmental Bioscience investigates the biggest challenges faced by people and the planet; fighting diseases, protecting the environment, feeding a growing population and water conservation.

Career Opportunities

Future Careers:

  • Teaching
  • Technical consultancy
  • Industrial research
  • Quality Management
  • Biopharmaceutical Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Medical laboratory science
  • Resource Management and Environmental Advocacy
  • Science administration or management

Graduates work at

Course Delivery and Modules

The Science course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, practicals and tutorials. Practicals include laboratory work. This programme contains a high level of hands-on experience at every level.

Students choosing the Biopharmaceutical Science Award will be able to participate in training at the National Institute for Bioprocessing and Training (NIBRT). This training involves the practical experience of the bioprocessing pilot plant at NIBRT in both semesters of Year 4 of the Biopharmaceutical Science Award stream.

  • Fundamental Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Physics Through PBL (Problem-Based Learning)
  • Health and Safety and Academic Skills
  • Biology
  • Chemistry

  • Introduction to Organic Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Analytical Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Science
  • Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern
  • Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Molecular Biology

  • Regulatory Affairs and GMP Compliance
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Immunology
  • Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
  • Pharmacopoeial Characterisation
  • Quality Management
  • Bioanalytical Science
  • Physiology & Pharmacology

Electives:

  • Pharmaceutical Drug Design
  • Biopharmaceutical Therapeutics

  • Environmental Communication and Critique
  • Plant Science
  • Aquatic Sciences
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Environmental Biotechnology (Habitat and Wildlife)
  • Ecology
  • Project Planning and Design

Electives:

  • Work Placement
  • Quality Management

  • Biopharmaceutical Processing (Upstream)
  • Biomolecular Therapeutics and Bioinformatics
  • Ethical Project Design and Statistics
  • Biopharmaceutical Research Project
  • Biopharmaceutical Processing (Downstream)
  • Recombinant Drug Manufacturing & Engineering
  • Biopharmaceutical Analysis

  • Data Handling and Modelling
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Ethical Project Design and Statistics
  • Environmental Bioscience Project 1
  • Environmental Risk Assessment
  • Environmental Monitoring and GIS
  • Advanced Environmental Biotechnology
  • Conservation Genetics
  • Soil and Water Management
  • Environmental Bioscience Project 2

Work placement

For students who chose the Environmental Bioscience Award stream, there will be a work placement opportunity between Years 3 & 4 over the summer period.

Education Progression

Graduates can progress to Level 9 and 10 Postgraduate degree courses.

Fees and Funding

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirements apply. There are no special entry requirements for this course.

 

Recent CAO points

CAO points 2024 253
CAO points 2023 238

Student Stories

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How to apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

Apply on CAO
CAO code: DK883

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

International Application (non-EU)

International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the BSc (Hons) in Science (Common Entry) please ask it below and we will get back to you.

Dr Sergio Moreira

Programme Director

Dr Gillian Lambe

Head of Department of Life and Health Sciences
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