BSc (Hons) Biotechnology
Overview
Students enter Second Science Biotechnology First Science Area of Study: Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) provided they have passed First Science.
BSc Ordinary Degree - NFQ Level 7, Major Award
Students who pass Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows: | ||
| Core Modules | ||
| BC1001 | Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease | 5 |
| BL1002 | Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution | 5 |
| BL1004 | Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals | 5 |
| CM1200 | Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 1 | 10 |
| CM1201 | Fundamentals of Modern Chemistry Part 2a | 10 |
| MA1001 | Calculus for Science Part 1 | 5 |
| MA1002 | Calculus for Science Part 2 | 5 |
| MB1003 | Microbiology in Society | 5 |
| PY1010 | Physics for Biological and Chemical Sciences | 10 |
| Year 2 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows - all listed core modules (55 credits) and 5 credits of elective modules: | ||
| Core Modules | ||
| Biochemistry | ||
| BC2001 | Biomolecules | 5 |
| BC2002 | Principles of Metabolic Pathways | 5 |
| Biotechnology | ||
| BT2001 | Introduction to Biotechnology | 5 |
| Molecular Biology | ||
| ML2001 | Introductory Molecular Biology | 5 |
| Microbiology | ||
| MB2005 | Fundamentals of Microbiology | 5 |
| MB2006 | Principles of Microbiology | 5 |
| Neuroscience | ||
| AN2003 | Principles of Human Structure | 5 |
| AN2020 | Introduction to Neuroscience, the Brain and Behaviour | 5 |
| Physiology | ||
| PL2021 | Introductory Physiology I | 5 |
| PL2022 | Introductory Physiology II | 5 |
| Statistics | ||
| ST2001 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 5 |
| Elective Modules | ||
| Students take modules to the value of 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| Semester 1 | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Main Group and Transition Element Chemistry | ||
| Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Energetics and Kinetics | ||
| Plant Science | ||
| Introduction to Plant Biotechnology | ||
| Zoology | ||
| Vertebrate Diversity | ||
| Semester 2 | ||
| Chemistry | ||
| Spectroscopy | ||
| Ecology | ||
| Fundamentals of Ecology | ||
| Year 3 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows: | ||
| Core Modules | ||
| BC3001 | Structural and Experimental Biochemistry | 5 |
| BC3006 | Molecular Biology | 5 |
| BC3009 | Biophysical and Biochemical Methods | 5 |
| BC3010 | Bioinformatics | 5 |
| BT3001 | Literature Project in Biotechnology | 5 |
| MB3005 | The role and ecology of microbes in the environment | 5 |
| MB3006 | Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biotechnology | 5 |
| MB3008 | Immunology: Host Response to Pathogens. | 5 |
| MB3914 | Food and Industrial Microbiology II | 5 |
| MB3021 | Medical Microbiology | 5 |
| PE2005 | Introduction to Biochemical Engineering | 5 |
| PT3001 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 5 |
| Year 4 | ||
| Students take 60 credits as follows: | ||
| Core Modules | ||
| BC4002 | Protein Science | 5 |
| BC4017 | Principles and Applications of Biotechnology | 5 |
| BT4001 | Work Placement | 10 |
| BT4002 | Research Project | 10 |
| BT4003 | Case studies in Biotechnology | 5 |
| BT4004 | Microbial Biotechnology | 5 |
| BT4005 | Biopharmaceutical and Medical Devices Microbiology | 5 |
| MB4013 | Food Biotechnology | 5 |
| PE4028 | Bioprocess Engineering | 10 |
| Total Credits | 240 | |
Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Biotechnology (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- Discuss the key principles and concepts underpinning the discipline of Biotechnology;
- Describe the role of modern and traditional biotechnology in society and critically analyse future biotechnological developments of relevance to society;
- Apply the basic principles of process engineering and unit operations to biological processes;
- Explain the role and applications of microbes in the biotechnology industry;
- Discuss the role of recombinant DNA technology and protein science in modern biotechnology;
- Critically assess recent and ongoing developments in biotechnology research and effectively communicate scientific knowledge both orally and in writing;
- Apply fundamental laboratory procedures for applications in research, in medical and/or industrial laboratories;
- Apply the scientific method of investigation and hypothesis testing, including the development of theoretical and practical skills, in the design and execution of experiments;
- Demonstrate appropriate scientific proficiency for entry into further postgraduate education/research or for employment in government, academic or industrial positions.