UCD Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences (BBB)
“In secondary school, my favourite subjects were Biology and Home Economics, so choosing between them and picking a college course was pretty difficult. Science at UCD gave me more options than I could have imagined, allowing me to study what I knew I enjoyed but also sample subjects I had never studied, like Chemistry and Physics. When I chose Microbiology in second year as one of my option subjects, I was pleasantly surprised to find it had elements similar to the old school subjects that I loved. Microbiology is a very diverse science, extending to the environment, the field of medicine, food production and safety and the pharmaceutical industry. When I graduate I hope to work in the area of medical microbiology, perhaps in a hospital lab.”
Aisling McKevitt Student Serratia marcescens on an agar plate in a Microbiology lab CAO Code DN200 BBB
Why is this course for me? Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms known as micro-organisms or microbes. Microbes play a key role in every facet of life on this planet. For example, microbes have a major impact on the Earth’s climate by their metabolism of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Microbes can be engineered to produce bioplastics and antibiotics or to clean up chemically polluted soil and water. Microbes protect us from colonisation by disease-causing organisms. However, some microbes cause disease, e.g. MRSA, AIDS, tuberculosis and meningitis. Microbiological research aims to find treatments for these and other infectious diseases.
What will I study? This is a sample pathway for a degree in Microbiology. Topics include biotechnology, microbes and the environment, medical microbiology and pharmaceutical microbiology.
First Year Biology ¬ Chemistry ¬ Mathematics ¬ Optional Science modules ¬ Elective modules
Second Year Microbiology ¬ + 2 other Science subjects ¬ Elective modules
Third Year Microbiology ¬ Optional Science modules ¬ Elective modules
Fourth Year Microbiology (includes a research project)
All Science courses are full time, with many student timetables running from 9.00am to 5.00pm or later. Depending on the subject choices, a weekly timetable can include lectures, practicals and tutorials.
Assessment varies with each module but may comprise continuous assessment of practicals, written exams and online learning activities.
Professional Work Experience Students carry out a research project in fourth year that can take place in a pharmaceutical or food-related company or a hospital. Recent placements include Pfizer, Wyeth, Trinity Biotech and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities Microbiologists are employed in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and food- related industries, hospitals and veterinary hospitals and related laboratories. They also find work in government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency where they are involved in research and development, process design and control, management and quality control. Many students opt to continue their undergraduate degree with an MSc or PhD graduate programme. These microbiologists play a key role in developing new drugs, finding novel ways to combat infectious diseases and designing new approaches to clean the environment and develop a green economy.
International Study Opportunities A limited number of fourth year projects are available in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Other courses of interest Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Genetics Pharmacology
�115 �118 �121
CAO Points Range 2014 515 — 625 Length of Course 4 Years DN200 Places 402
Entry Requirements English ¬ Irish ¬ Mathematics (Min OB3/HD3 in LC or equivalent) ¬ One laboratory science subject (Min OB3/HD3 in LC or equivalent. Applied Mathematics or Geography may be used instead of a laboratory science subject.) ¬ Two other recognised subjects
Leaving Certificate Passes in six subjects including those shown above, of which two must be minimum HC3
A-Level/GCSE See
www.ucd.ie/myucd/alevel
Other EU Applicants see
www.ucd.ie/myucd/eu
Non-EU Applicants see
www.ucd.ie/myucd/noneu
Level 5/6 FETAC Entry Routes Yes, see
www.ucd.ie/myucd/fetac
Level 6/7 Progression Routes Yes, see
www.ucd.ie/myucd/hetac
Mature Entry Route Yes, see page 182
UCD Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Microbiology BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Professor Kevin O’Connor UCD School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science Belfield, Dublin 4
kevin.oconnor@ucd.ie +353 1 716 1307
facebook.com/UCDScience
www.ucd.ie/myucd/ microbiology
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