BSc (Hons) Ecology and Environmental Biology

Key Points

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The BSc in Ecology and Environmental Biology is the only one of its kind in Ireland. The course was established in response to the growing awareness of environmental and wildlife issues. It is the study of the interactions between animals, plants and microbes and their environment. It includes the study of how individual organisms interact in communities and how communities interact with the surrounding ecosystem.

Program description

The BSc in Ecology and Environmental Biology equips students with skills that enables you to work in many different fields in Ireland and abroad, including: 

  • research in universities or industry
  • research in government agencies such as OPW, EPA, ERU, Forestry, Fisheries
  • consultancy
  • journalism
  • second and third level teaching
  • administration in the civil service, county councils or industry.
  • environmental scientists in industry, agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries and government
  • conservation management working in habitat management, nature reserves, landscape planning, and fisheries.

Program structure

  • Celcules, biomolecules, genetics and evolution
  • Physiology and structure of plants and animals 
  • Habitats and Ecosystems 
  • Introduction to Chemistry for Environmental Scientists 
  • Applied Earth Systems 
  • Environment 
  • Introduction to physical geography 
  • Introduction to geology 
  • Geological evolution of Ireland 
  • Calculus for Science I 
  • Physics for Environmental Sciences I
  • Fundamentals of Ecology
  • Practical ecological skills
  • Plant and animal genetics
  • Practical Environmental Science
  • Fossils as living organisms
  • Ecological plant physiology
  • Plant Identification
  • Introduction to Biostatistics
  • Vertebrate diversity
  • Invertebrate diversity
  • Invertebrate practical skills
  • Introduction to Ecotoxicology
  • Practical Field Ecology (residential field course)
  • Literature review
  • Evolution and Diversity
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology and hydrology of wetland systems
  • Biostatistics

Electives

  • Micropaleontology and Palynology
  • Valuing the Environment
  • Plants and hostile environments
  • Animal behaviour
  • Sustainable use of freshwater
  •  Advanced vertebrate biology
  • Adaptation to extreme environments
  • Advanced Ecotoxicology
  • Biology and Management of Exotic Species
  • Research project
  • Frontiers in biology
  •  Research skills in biology
  • Biostatistics
  • Landscape Conservation and Management or Temperate Marine Biology (Residential Field Course)  


Electives

  • Placement of biological work
  • Market forces and the environment
  • Food production
  • Environmentally protective management of pests and plant pathogens
  • Crop physiology and climate change
  • Marine Mammal Biology

*Module availability may change from year to year.

Admission requirements

  • As a general requirement, a Bachelor’s Degree / High School Diploma / General Baccalaureate / Vocational Degree from a recognized university, with subjects in mathematics and laboratory science, is required.
  • In the case of international candidates, the foreign equivalent is required. In addition, a degree officially translated into English will be required.
  • IELTS 6.5, with no less than 6 in any component (or internationally recognised equivalent)

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