BSc (Hons) in Science (Common Entry) with 2 Award options: Biopharmaceutical Science / Environmental Bioscience

Year 1

Semester 1

• Fundamental Chemistry
• Mathematics 1
• Physics Through PBL 1
• Health and Safety and Academic Skills (year-long)
• Biology (year-long)

Semester 2

• Chemistry
• Mathematics 2
• Physics Through PBL 2
• Health and Safety and Academic Skills (year-long)
• Biology (year-long)

Year 2

Semester 1

• Intro to Organic Chemistry
• Microbiology 1
• Analytical Science
• Biochemistry

Semester 2

• Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Science
• Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern
• Statistics and Data Analysis
• Molecular Biology

Year 3

Semester 1: Biopharmaceutical Science Stream:

• Regulatory Affairs and GMP Compliance
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Immunology
• Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• Pharmacopoeial Characterisation

Semester 1: Environmental Bioscience Stream:

• Environmental Communication and Critique
• Plant Science
• Aquatic Sciences
• Environmental Chemistry
• Microbial Ecology

Semester 2: Biopharmaceutical Science Stream:

• Quality Management
• Bioanalytical Science
• Physiology & Pharmacology
• Elective: Pharmaceutical Drug Design //Biopharmaceutical Therapeutics

Semester 2: Environmental Bioscience Stream:

• Environmental Biotechnology
• (Habitat and Wildlife) Ecology
• Project Planning and Design
• Elective: Work Placement // Quality Management

Year 4

Semester 1 - Biopharmaceutical Science Stream

• Biopharmaceutical Processing (Upstream)
• Biomolecular Therapeutics and Bioinformatics
• Ethical Project Design and Statistics
• Biopharmaceutical Research Project (year-long)

Semester 1 - Environmental Bioscience Stream

• Data Handling and Modelling
• Ecotoxicology
• Ethical Project Design and Statistics
• Environmental Bioscience Project 1

Semester 2 - Biopharmaceutical Science Stream

• Biopharmaceutical Processing (Downstream)
• Recombinant Drug Manufacturing & Engineering
• Biopharmaceutical Analysis
• Biopharmaceutical Research Project (year-long)

Semester 2 - Environmental Bioscience Stream

• Environmental Risk Assessment
• Environmental Monitoring and GIS
• Advanced Environmental Biotechnology
• Conservation Genetics
• Soil and Water Management
• Environmental Bioscience Thesis

* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only.

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.

At DkIT we employ modern teaching methods and technology to promote active and engaged learning and develop transferable skills.

Graduate have excellent career prospects and opportunities for further study. Graduates have opportunities for employment in the following sectors:

• Biopharmaceutical
• Environmental
• Biomedical
• Pharmaceutical
• Medical Devices
• Health Care
• Nutraceuticals
• Biotechnology
• Food
• Research and Development
• Marketing, sales and advisory
• Resource Management
• Environmental Advocacy
• Environmental Officer in Industry.
• Private environmental and engineering consultancies.
• Local Government (County Councils).
• Agri-food industries.
• Waste and water management utilities.
• Governmental bodies (e.g. EPA, Inland Fisheries Ireland)
• Non-Government Organisations (e.g. Irish Wildlife Trust).
• Academic or industry based research.

Graduates will be able to progress to taught M.Sc. (Level 9) postgraduate courses and M.Sc. (Level 9) and Ph.D. (Level 10) research courses, either within DkIT or other HEIs.

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

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate

→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7

Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:

• ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
• OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)

→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:

• GCSE (Grade A* - C)
• AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
• AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
• AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
• AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
• AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

International Students:

International students must have a minimum level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.0 A Leaving Certificate or A-level science subject is not required but is recommended. Please visit our page on applying as an international student.

Mature Applicants:

For more information, please click here.

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

The course includes training at the National Institute for Bioprocessing and Training (NIBRT) for students choosing the Biopharmaceutical Science Award.

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.

This course would be ideally suited to students who enjoy science subjects and problem-solving.

The Environmental Bioscience stream would be suited to:

• Students with an interest in the natural world and how things work.
• Students who wish to address the ongoing problems relating to environmental and climatic degradation.

The Biopharmaceutical Science stream would be suited to:

• Students who want to know how to develop, analyse and/or produce (new) drugs. This course provides a good understanding of the principal scientific challenges in the manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products.

Dr Arjan van Rossum (Head of Department of Life and Health Sciences)
Phone: +353 429370200
Email: arjan.vanrossum@dkit.ie