Key Info

Bachelor of Science in Bioscience

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree

Entry route(s):

Course code
LM123
Duration
4 Years
Subject area
Science
Course Director
Dr George Barreto
Email
George.Barreto@ul.ie
Tel
00353 (0)61 202676
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755

Are you interested in Science? Are you interested in the ways which a body protects itself against infection? How microbes impact both positively and negatively on health? Would you like to find out more about the internal workings of cells – how they are built, communicate and divide? Are you interested in using this knowledge to develop new strategies for new medicines? If so, the Biosciences degree at UL might be for you.

Why study Bioscience at UL?

The Bioscience degree merges studies of cell biology, molecular biology, and immunology with a focus on molecular medicine. Ireland is one of the leading international locations for the Life Science industry, which spans biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology and the degree is designed to align with these areas. The course includes specialist guest lectures by members of the external BioPharma community giving the students a state-of-the-art insight into this exciting field.

Entry route to this Bioscience degree at UL is via LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences Common Entry.

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What you will study

Having studied a broad common first semester, students will undertake specific modules in the area of chemistry, biology, maths and physics. Subsequently, the Bioscience programme will provide you with a strong foundation in the understanding of biochemical systems and microbial technology. With tailored contributions from industry speakers, the degree specific modules will instruct students on advanced molecular biology, host-microbe interactions, immunobiology, new therapeutic approaches, cell biology & cancer, and ‘omics’ & bioinformatics. 

Core modules include:

Advanced cell and molecular biology – examines cellular structures (organelles, cytoskeleton, molecular motors), key cellular processes (trafficking, motility, apoptosis), systems biology of organisms and extracting meaningful data from large data sets to understand how diseases impact the brain.  

Cancer mechanisms, therapeutics and molecular medicine – examines cell cycle controls in relation to cancer biology, and use of modern molecular technologies in targeting cancer and other diseases. 

Cell and molecular biology of the immune system - examines the principles of self and non-self-recognition and how these mechanisms are involved in immunity and how aberrant self- regulation contributes to allergy and autoimmunity. 

Cell communication and regulation - covers basic cell structure, the principles of the cell cycle and cell division, the control of living processes by genetic mechanisms, and cell communication systems. 

Current trends in biotechnology and regenerative medicine – presents concepts such as ‘cell-on-a-chip’ technologies, tissue regeneration, new medicines, and new molecular analysis techniques. 

Host microbe interactions – presents the key strategies microbes use to establish both beneficial and non-beneficial interactions with the host and the impact of these on health. 

Microbiology and immunology – an introduction to the components of microorganisms and the host immune systems and how they interact. 

Pharmacology and drug development – presents the biology behind drug target choice, drug screening techniques and the different classes of drugs, including protein-based drugs to target the brain and other organs. 

The course includes significant laboratory based training and an independent research project. In addition the student will be placed in industry for eight months, giving real-world experience and an introduction to the BioPharma/industrial community.

  Semester 1   Semester 2 Summer
CH4701 General Chemistry 1 BY4102 Biology for Biosciences  
BY4001 Biology 1 CH4102 Organic Chemistry 1  
MA4601 Science Mathematics 1 PH4142 introduction to Physics  
CH4021 Laboratory Calculations MA4602 Science Mathematics 2  
ER4011 Introduction to Environmental & Biosciences CH4031 General Chemistry 2 (Inorganic)  
CH4051 Introduction to Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry CH4041 General Chemistry 2 (Physical)  
CS4131 Introduction to Scientific Computations      
  Semester 3   Semester 4 Summer
BY4013 General Microbiology BY4008 Genetics and Molecular Biology  
BY4015 Plant Physiology BY4014 Microbiology and Immunology  
BY4035 Cellular Biology and Biochemistry BY4012 Microbes as Metabolic Factories  
LS4003 Introductory Anatomy and Physiology BC4904 Proteins and DNA  
BY4033 Core Concepts in Bioscience   Elective   
  Semester 5   Semester 6 Summer
BY4085 Cell and Molecular Biology of the Immune System CO4320 Cooperative Education Cooperative Education
BY4075 Cell Communication and Regulation      
BC4905 Genetic Engineering      
BY4031 Integrative Physiology      
  Elective      
  Semester 7   Semester 8 Summer
BY4027 Current Trends in Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine BY4038 Cancer Mechanisms  
BY4037 Pharmacology and Drug Development BY4048 Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology  
BC4957 Bioinformatics BY4058 Host Microbe Interactions  
ER4708 Biometrics BC4008 Immuno and DNA Diagnostic Techniques  
BY4097 Bioscience Final Year Project 1 BY4098 Bioscience Final Year Project 2

Entry requirements

Minimum grades

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O3/H7 in Mathematics and a Grade H4 in any one of the following: Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry.

Additional considerations

A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement.

We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February.

Application information for mature student applicants (PDF)

Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Where are you applying from? How to Apply
Ireland Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. 
The UK  Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. 
The EU EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website.
Non-EU country If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here.

 

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €4,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€7,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €20,900
Student pays Student Levy €100
€21,000

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for this course

These scholarships are available for all courses

Your future career

Career Prospects

Bioscience is extremely important to Ireland’s economy and its future growth. Graduates of the programme will be well positioned to gain employment in Ireland’s rapidly growing high tech Life Science industry or pursue further study in fields such as molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology or immunology. 

Follow-On Study

The degree would provide an excellent foundation for students considering application to graduate entry medical school or to a post- graduate career in Bioscience/Life Sciences area.

Student Profiles

Image
Daniela Mazur

Daniela Mazur

Daniela’s University of Limerick journey began with the common entry Biological and Chemical Sciences course (LM123) in 2018. She then selected the Bioscience exit route. During her third year in UL, she carried out her co-operative placement with a diagnostics company in Waterford, as an assistant laboratory technician. In her fourth year, she completed a Final Year Project in the area of neuroscience with a focus on Parkinson’s Disease. Daniela was awarded a first place gold medal for this project.

In August 2022, Daniela graduated with a first class honours Bachelor of Science degree in Bioscience. Daniela is currently in the second semester of her Biomolecular Science masters at the University of Limerick. She is hoping to pursue a career in industry following the completion of her masters.