Biological Sciences (Common Entry)

Overview

The common biological sciences honours entry scheme is a two-year programme designed for students interested in biological sciences as a career, but who may be unsure of which discipline to follow.

The scheme gives students the opportunity to see the three disciplines, first-hand, through the various modules on offer, interaction with lecturers, and industrial site visits. This allows the student to make an informed decision on their discipline of study.

On successful completion of year 2, students can enter the third year of any of the following honours biological science degrees:

• MT 873 BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• MT 876 BSc (Honours) in Nutrition and Health Science
• MT 879 BSc (Honours) in Agri-Biosciences

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Graduates will be able to grow and engineer biological cells in order to make safe and effective medicines using the most up-to-date information and technologies available.

Nutrition and Health Science Graduates will be able to apply their understanding of human nutrition and its role in health and disease to various sectors of the food and health industry, and identify and address nutrition-related problems in individuals and populations.

Agri-Biosciences Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of the role of biotechnology in agri-food and animal sciences to support and develop technologies (e.g. health, reproduction and diagnostics) for the improvement of global agri-food production systems.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

As well as learning the main core science subjects in first year, students will be exposed to the following:

• Evaluating the role of food in health, wellness, and nutrition space
• Making biological medicines: learn the basics of how cells can be used to make modern medicines
• Understanding the role of microbiology, physiology and biotechnology in the agri-food sector
• Perform experimental laboratory procedures

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

• score the necessary CAO points and
• meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

Agri-Biosciences: research scientist; laboratory technician; animal feed production; diagnostic testing; quality control analyst; animal and crop breeding; research and development.

Nutrition and Health Science: research scientist in food and related healthcare industries; new product development, production and marketing in food and related healthcare industries; food safety and food regulation in food industry and governmental agencies; nutrition communication in food information organisations; quality assurance.

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: quality control analyst; microbiologist; bio-assay specialist; technical/process specialist; research and development.