BSc (Hons) Industrial and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Key Points

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Are you interested in a career that can really make a practical contribution to help address the challenges currently facing the world, for example, the discovery of new drugs to combat disease or the invention of new materials for biomedical devices?

Do you have a knack for science and technology and would like to use these talents in a well-paid, intellectually satisfying and productive career as a professional chemist?

If so, this may be the program for you.

The Industrial and Pharmaceutical Chemistry degree course qualifies you for employment in a variety of professional careers in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, biomedical and chemical sectors. The course structure combines theory and practical work to ensure that graduates are well prepared for the challenges of a position in each of these fields upon graduation. Fundamental and applied aspects of organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry are covered, as well as key elements of computational chemistry and chemical engineering.

In the third year of the programme, you will spend eight months as a full-time paid employee of a pharmaceutical or chemical company during the work placement (Co-operative Education). The course is accredited by the Institute of Chemistry Ireland and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) with graduates eligible for RSC Chartered Chemist status.

The programme has a duration of four years. Having followed a broad common first year (LM123) where students will learn about a variety of subjects including;

  • Chemistry (inorganic, organic, analytical and physical chemistry)
  • Computers
  • Mathematics
  • Introductory Physics
  • Introduction to Biochemistry

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

  • Mathematics 3
  • Physical Chemistry 2 (Advanced Kinetics and Photochemistry)
  • Analytical Chemistry 1
  • Organic Chemistry 2 (mechanism and reaction)
  • Inorganic Chemistry 2 (Periodicity and Transition Elements)


Semester 4

  • Mathematics 4
  • Physical Chemistry 3 (Phase Equilibria)
  • Analytical chemistry 2 (separation methods)
  • Organic Chemistry 3 (Biomolecules and Heterocycles)
  • Process technology 1 (process modelling and control)

Semester 5

  • Physical Chemistry 4 (Electrochemistry)
  • Analytical chemistry 3 (solids and surface analysis)
  • Organic Chemistry 4 (polymers)
  • Process Technology 2 (Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer)
  • Process Technology 3 (reactor design and operation)


Elective 1:

  • Photochemistry
  • Process technology 3


Semester 6

  • Cooperative education

Semester 7

  • Pharmaceutical Formulation
  • Process technology 4 (mass transfer separations)
  • Pharmaceutical organic chemistry 1
  • Final year project 1


Elective 1:

  • Security and industry
  • Bioprocess engineering


Semester 8

  • Pharmaceutical organic chemistry 2
  • Analytical chemistry 4 (advanced spectroscopy)
  • Batch process engineering (pharmaceutical)
  • Final year project 2


Elective 2:

  • Chemical nanotechnology
  • Process troubleshooting

Employability skills of this degree

  • Analyze and solve problems
  • Monitoring / maintenance of records and data
  • Working as a team
  • Communication (verbal and written)
  • Excellent laboratory techniques
  • Specific knowledge in the traditional fields of chemistry, inorganic, organic, physical, analytical and materials chemistry.
  • Strong mathematical and numerical ability
  • Time management
  • IT Skills

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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