Bioscience is the branch of science concerned with living organisms and is the foundation of many other schools of scientific inquiry, including biopharmaceuticals, which refers to medical drugs manufactured in living organisms such as bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells.
This course will advance students' skills in bioanalysis, biotechnology, genetics, immunology, diagnostics, bioforensics and biopharmaceutical science.
Course Structure
Years 1 and 2 provide students with a strong foundation in the biology and chemistry of living organisms. Year 3 provides more detailed and practical study of the production, monitoring and quality control of biologically-based processes and includes a practical industrial project. The course features extensive laboratory classes and varied project work.
Is this course for you?
If you are interested in biological sciences, and want to study a course that has extensive hands-on laboratory work, leading to fantastic job opportunities in a growing industry, then this course is a great choice.
Special Features:
More than 50% of the course is dedicated to laboratory practical work, enabling students to gain essential laboratory skills.
Small groups for laboratory practicals
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Fundamental Biology (M)
Animal and Human Biology (M)
Chemistry 1 (M)
Chemistry 2 (M)
Laboratory Science (M)
Quantitative Methods 2 (M)
Quantitative Methods 1 (M)
Physics 2 (M)
Physics 1 (M)
Current Concepts in Science (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Fundamentals of Microbiology 1 (M)
Fundamentals of Microbiology 2 (M)
Molecular Biology 1 (M)
Molecular Biology 2 (M)
Biochemistry Biomolecules (M)
Biochemistry Metabolism (M)
Instrumentation (M)
Analytical Techniques Pharmaceutical Science (M)
Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 1 (M)
Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 2 (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
Molecular Biology and Immunology 1 (M)
Spectroscopy for Biosciences (M)
Food Microbiology (M)
Microbial Cell Factory (M)
Biochemistry 1 (M)
Molecular Biology and Immunology 2 (M)
Manufacturing (M)
Biochemistry 2 (M)
Quality Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis (M)
Bioscience Project and Workplace Planning (M)
Quality Management Statistical Data Analysis for Pharmaceutical Industry (E)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
5 subjects: O6/H7 English or Irish: O6/H7 Mathematics: O6/H7
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates are eligible to progress to Year 4 of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biosciences with Biopharmaceuticals at SETU Carlow. There are also opportunities to progress to honours degree courses in other Irish or international higher education institutes.
What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
This course is designed to produce highly employable graduates for the bioscience, biotechnology, biopharmaceutical science and food science industries. These sectors are rapidly evolving and offer excellent and varied employment options in quality control, quality assurance, technical, supervisory or management areas.
