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BSC SCIENCE - BIOLOGY

Qualification: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
Award Type and NFQ Level:
Course code: SCI
CAO/PAC code: MH201
Points: 375
QQI: click here for details

	Details
	Biology is the study of life – from organisms so small they are invisible to the human eye to the largest animals that inhabit our planet. Life is organised. It grows, it reproduces, it responds to its environment. Biologists study how living things work, how they interact with one another and their surroundings, and how they change and evolve. As a student, you will examine the basic unit of life: the cell, and its structures and biochemical processes. You will also study the features of plants and animals and the physiology of humans, along with the basics of genetics, microbiology, and ecology. You will learn to ask questions, make observations, and analyse evidence – in theory work and through practical lab sessions and field work – and you will learn to present and communicate your findings clearly. You will also be encouraged to make connections across the various disciplines that make up the study of Biology, including botany, zoology, and microbiology. Applicants are required to have a minimum of six subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate with two Higher Level papers at C3 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade D3

Details

Biology is the study of life – from organisms so small they are invisible to the human eye to the largest animals that inhabit our planet. Life is organised. It grows, it reproduces, it responds to its environment. Biologists study how living things work, how they interact with one another and their surroundings, and how they change and evolve.

As a student, you will examine the basic unit of life: the cell, and its structures and biochemical processes. You will also study the features of plants and animals and the physiology of humans, along with the basics of genetics, microbiology, and ecology.

You will learn to ask questions, make observations, and analyse evidence – in theory work and through practical lab sessions and field work – and you will learn to present and communicate your findings clearly. You will also be encouraged to make connections across the various disciplines that make up the study of Biology, including botany, zoology, and microbiology.

Applicants are required to have a minimum of six subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate with two Higher Level papers at C3 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade D3

Entry requirements

	Additional information
	OD3/HD3 in a Science subject (i.e. Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry).

Course structure

Biology can be taken as a Single Honours or Double Honours Bachelor of Science degree.

All First Year Science students must take Mathematics and three other subjects. In Second Year, students take Biology and two of their First Year subjects. In Third Year, students take Biology and one of their Second Year subjects. In Fourth Year, Biology is taken at Single or Double Honours level. Double Honours students take Biology and one of their Third Year subjects. Single Honours students take Biology only.

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.

Year 1

BIOLOGY

Biology is the study of life - everything from the tiniest microbe to entire ecosystems that spread across the planet. It encompasses all aspects of living things including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution and distribution.

Our Biology Department is unique in the university system in Ireland as there are no sub-departments like Botany, Biochemistry, Genetics or Zoology. It means that most aspects of biology are taught alongside each other throughout the degree programmes. Over the years, undergraduate students are exposed to a wide range of biological disciplines.
We have international reputations in Biological Control, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Medical Mycology, Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology.
There are many �umbrella� fields of biology including:
- Biochemistry: the study of the constituents that make up living things
- Botany: the study of plants
- Cellular biology: the study of the cellular units of living things
- Ecology: the study of how organisms interact with/in their environment
- Evolutionary biology: the study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time
- Genetics: the study of genetic inheritance
- Molecular biology: the study of biological molecules
- Physiology: the study of the functions of organisms and their parts
- Zoology: the study of animals, including animal behaviour

Many of these fields overlap, for example, to study animals (zoology) it�s also important to know about evolution, physiology and ecology. To study cellular biology, it�s important to know about biochemistry and molecular biology as well.

BL1F15 - BIOLOGY

Credits: 15 Not compulsory:

		Module	Code	Credits	Semester	Compulsory
		BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION & DIVERSITY	BI102	7.5	2
		FROM CELL TO ORGANISM	BI101	7.5	1

Year 2

BIOLOGY

Our Biology Department is unique in the university system in Ireland as there are no sub-departments like Botany, Biochemistry, Genetics or Zoology. It means that most aspects of biology are taught alongside each other throughout the degree programmes. Over the years, undergraduate students are exposed to a wide range of biological disciplines.
We have international reputations in Biological Control, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Medical Mycology, Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology.
There are many �umbrella� fields of biology including:
- Biochemistry: the study of the constituents that make up living things
- Botany: the study of plants
- Cellular biology: the study of the cellular units of living things
- Ecology: the study of how organisms interact with/in their environment
- Evolutionary biology: the study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time
- Genetics: the study of genetic inheritance
- Molecular biology: the study of biological molecules
- Physiology: the study of the functions of organisms and their parts
- Zoology: the study of animals, including animal behaviour

BL2F20 - BIOLOGY

Credits: 20 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY	BI203	5	1
BIOCHEMISTRY 1	BI201	5	1
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY	BI204	5	2
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL	BI210	5	2

BL2F10 Non progression subject taken with an elective subject

BL2F10 - BIOLOGY

Credits: 10 Not compulsory:

		Module	Code	Credits	Semester	Compulsory
		BIOCHEMISTRY 1	BI201	5	1
		MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL	BI210	5	2

Year 3

BIOLOGY

Our Biology Department is unique in the university system in Ireland as there are no sub-departments like Botany, Biochemistry, Genetics or Zoology. It means that most aspects of biology are taught alongside each other throughout the degree programmes. Over the years, undergraduate students are exposed to a wide range of biological disciplines.
We have international reputations in Biological Control, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Medical Mycology, Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology.
There are many �umbrella� fields of biology including:
- Biochemistry: the study of the constituents that make up living things
- Botany: the study of plants
- Cellular biology: the study of the cellular units of living things
- Ecology: the study of how organisms interact with/in their environment
- Evolutionary biology: the study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time
- Genetics: the study of genetic inheritance
- Molecular biology: the study of biological molecules
- Physiology: the study of the functions of organisms and their parts
- Zoology: the study of animals, including animal behaviour

BL3DM - BIOLOGY

Credits: 30 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
BIOINFORMATICS	BI315	5	2
DISSERTATION	BI305	5	1
ECOLOGY	BI303	5	1
INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY	BI301	5	1
MICROBIOLOGY	BI302	5	2
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2	BI304	5	2
PLANT RESPONSES TO THE ENVIRONMENT	BI306	5	2

Year 4

BIOLOGY

Our Biology Department is unique in the university system in Ireland as there are no sub-departments like Botany, Biochemistry, Genetics or Zoology. It means that most aspects of biology are taught alongside each other throughout the degree programmes. Over the years, undergraduate students are exposed to a wide range of biological disciplines.
We have international reputations in Biological Control, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Medical Mycology, Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology.
There are many �umbrella� fields of biology including:
- Biochemistry: the study of the constituents that make up living things
- Botany: the study of plants
- Cellular biology: the study of the cellular units of living things
- Ecology: the study of how organisms interact with/in their environment
- Evolutionary biology: the study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time
- Genetics: the study of genetic inheritance
- Molecular biology: the study of biological molecules
- Physiology: the study of the functions of organisms and their parts
- Zoology: the study of animals, including animal behaviour

BL4DM Double Major Biology

BI422 is compulsory.

Students are required to take either BI428 or BI448 OR BI424 AND BI426.

Optional Modules

Students must select 1, 2 or 3 modules from Semester 1 AND 1, 2 or 3 modules from Semester 2.

SEMESTER 1

BI441 is timetabled against BI405.

BI407 cannot be taken with BI411.

SEMESTER 2

BI440 is timetabled against BI436.

BI406 cannot be taken with BI443.

Notes re. registration:

1. There is a cap on the numbers that can be accommodated in BI407, BI436, BI437, BI439, BI441 - see the individual modules for quota numbers.

2. There is also a cap on the numbers that can be accommodated in BI448. Please contact the department for details of how to apply for this module.

BL4DM - BIOLOGY

Credits: 30 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
ADVANCED IMMUNOLOGY 1	BI405	5	1
ADVANCED PRACTICALS/PROFESSIONAL MODULES (DM)	BI426	2.5	Year-Long
ANTIBIOTICS: DISCOVERY, MODES OF ACTION AND RESISTANCE	BI439	5	2
BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY	BI406	5	2
BIOETHICS & BIOTECHNOLOGY	BI411	5	1
CLINICAL PROTEOMICS: DISCOVERY, VALIDATION AND MEDICAL UTILITY	BI443	5	2
CONTROL OF PROTEIN ACTIVITY AND ABUNDANCE	BI440	5	2
FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL SECONDARY METABOLISM	BI441	5	1
LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT	BI428	7.5	Year-Long
LITERATURE RESEARCH PROJECT 2	BI424	5	Year-Long
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY	BI436	5	2
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY	BI435	5	2
NEUROMUSCULAR BIOLOGY	BI437	5	2
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY	BI403	5	1
PLANT DEVELOPMENT	BI410	5	2
PRIOR RESEARCH PROJECT	BI448	15	1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2	BI422	2.5	1
TUMOUR BIOLOGY	BI407	5	1

BIOLOGY

Our Biology Department is unique in the university system in Ireland as there are no sub-departments like Botany, Biochemistry, Genetics or Zoology. It means that most aspects of biology are taught alongside each other throughout the degree programmes. Over the years, undergraduate students are exposed to a wide range of biological disciplines.
We have international reputations in Biological Control, Bioinformatics, Immunology, Medical Mycology, Molecular Genetics and Plant Biotechnology.
There are many �umbrella� fields of biology including:
- Biochemistry: the study of the constituents that make up living things
- Botany: the study of plants
- Cellular biology: the study of the cellular units of living things
- Ecology: the study of how organisms interact with/in their environment
- Evolutionary biology: the study of the origins and changes in the diversity of life over time
- Genetics: the study of genetic inheritance
- Molecular biology: the study of biological molecules
- Physiology: the study of the functions of organisms and their parts
- Zoology: the study of animals, including animal behaviour

BL4SM Single Major Biology

BI420 and BI421 are compulsory modules.

Students are required to take either BI449 or BI447 or BI448 OR BI423 AND BI425.

Optional Modules

Students must choose either 3 or 4 modules from Semester 1, AND either 3 or 4 modules from Semester 2.

SEMESTER 1
BI441 is timetabled against BI405.

BI407 cannot be taken with BI411.

SEMESTER 2

BI440 is timetabled against BI436.

BI406 cannot be taken with BI443.

Notes for registration:

1. There is a cap on the numbers that can be accommodated in BI407, BI436, BI437, BI439, BI440, BI441 - see the individual modules for quota numbers.

2. There is also a cap on the numbers that can be accommodated in BI447 and BI448. Please contact the department for details of how to apply for these modules.

BL4SM - BIOLOGY

Credits: 60 Not compulsory:

Module	Code	Credits	Semester
ADVANCED IMMUNOLOGY 1	BI405	5	1
ADVANCED PRACTICALS/PROFESSIONAL MODULES 1	BI425	5	Year-Long
ANTIBIOTICS: DISCOVERY, MODES OF ACTION AND RESISTANCE	BI439	5	2
BEHAVIOURAL ECOLOGY	BI406	5	2
BIOETHICS & BIOTECHNOLOGY	BI411	5	1
BIOLOGY LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT	BI449	15	Year-Long
CLINICAL PROTEOMICS: DISCOVERY, VALIDATION AND MEDICAL UTILITY	BI443	5	2
CONTROL OF PROTEIN ACTIVITY AND ABUNDANCE	BI440	5	2
FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL SECONDARY METABOLISM	BI441	5	1
HUMAN NUTRITION AND METABOLIC DISEASE	BI444	5	1
LITERATURE RESEARCH PROJECT 1	BI423	10	Year-Long
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY	BI436	5	2
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY	BI435	5	2
NEUROMUSCULAR BIOLOGY	BI437	5	2
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY	BI403	5	1
PLANT DEVELOPMENT	BI410	5	2
PRIOR RESEARCH PROJECT	BI448	15	1
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 1	BI421	5	1
SANDBOX RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT PROJECT	BI447	20	Year-Long
SEMINAR SERIES	BI420	5	Year-Long
TUMOUR BIOLOGY	BI407	5	1

Contacts

Department of Biology

Tel: 01 708 3843

Fax: 01 708 3845

Email: terry.roche@nuim.ie

http://biology.nuim.ie/

General enquiries

Course enquiries

	Career and postgraduate options
	Career options: Biology graduates are well placed for employment in a wide range of occupations, thanks to the broad nature of the course. Graduates are well equipped for industrial employment in the food, fermentation, and pharmaceutical industries, particularly if they have also studied Chemistry. Graduates have also found employment in areas such as the Wild Life Service, fisheries, agricultural institutes, and teaching. The training received in laboratory and other scientific study also provides a sound foundation for careers in areas such as management, banking, administration, sales, accountancy, education, publishing, research, and science writing. Postgraduate options: - MSc - PhD For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site

Career and postgraduate options

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Courses / Subject

BSC SCIENCE - BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY

BIOLOGY

General enquiries

Course enquiries