BSc (Hons) in Bioscience

Key Points

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Are you interested in science? Are you interested in the ways that one protects against infection? How do microbes impact both positively and negatively on health? Would you like to learn more about the inner workings of cells, how they are built, communicate and divide? Are you interested in using this knowledge to develop new strategies for new drugs? If so, the Biosciences degree at UL might be for you.

The Biosciences degree combines 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 sciences industry, spanning biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology, and the degree is designed to align with these areas. The course includes specialized lectures by members of the external Biofarma community that provide students with a more advanced insight into this exciting field. Modules in Law or Computer Science. In your final year you will undertake a project on a topic related to an aspect of sport and exercise science.

The main modules include:

Microbiology and Immunology: An introduction to the components of microorganisms and the host immune system and how they interact.

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

Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Immune System: Examines the principles of self-recognition and non-self-recognition and how these mechanisms are involved in immunity and how aberrant self-regulation contributes to allergy and autoimmunity.

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

Pharmacology and Drug Development – Introduces the biology behind drug targeting, drug detection techniques, and different classes of drugs, including protein-based drugs.

Mechanisms of Cancer, Therapeutics, and Molecular Medicine – Examines cell cycle controls in relation to cancer biology and the use of modern molecular technologies to combat cancer and other diseases.

Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology: Examination of cellular structures (organelles, cytoskeleton, molecular motors), key cellular processes (trafficking, motility, apoptosis), organism systems biology, and extraction of significant data from large data sets.

Host Microbe Interactions – Presents the key strategies that microbes use to establish both beneficial and non-beneficial interactions with the host and the impact of these on health.

Program structure

Semester 1

  • General Chemistry 1
  • Biology 1
  • Science Mathematics 1
  • Laboratory calculations
  • Introduction to Biosciences and Environment
  • Introduction to Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Introduction to scientific calculations


Semester 2

  • Biology for Biosciences
  • Organic Chemistry 1
  • introduction to physics
  • Science Math 2
  • General chemistry 2 (inorganic)
  • General chemistry 2 (physics)

Semester 3

  • General microbiology
  • Plant physiology
  • Cell biology and biochemistry
  • Introduction to anatomy and physiology


Semester 4

  • Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • Microbiology and Immunology
  • Principles of human nutrition
  • Proteins and DNA

Semester 5

  • Cell regulation and communication
  • Cellular and molecular biology of the immune system
  • Microbial technology 2
  • genetic engineering
  • Integrative physiology


Semester 6

  • Cooperative education
  • Cancer mechanisms
  • Advanced cell and molecular biology
  • Host microbe interactions
  • Immunological and DNA diagnostic techniques
  • End-of-year biosciences project 2

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

Admission requirements

  • Applicants will require a baccalaureate degree officially translated into English.
  • IELTS 6.0 or higher (or internationally recognised equivalent).
  • TOEFL 580 (paper-based) or 90 (online).
  • UL has approved the use of the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a temporary measure for 2021/2 admission (due to test center closures). The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 110. An interview may be required along with this for certain programs.

Applicants must possess at the time of enrolment the prescribed Certificate of Completion (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.

In addition, applicants must have a minimum grade of O3/H7 in Mathematics and a grade of H4 in any of the following: Agricultural Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry.

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