Key Info
Bachelor of Science in Bioscience
Entry route(s):
Are you interested in Science? Are you interested in the ways which a body protects itself against infection? How microbes impact both positively and negatively on health? Would you like to find out more about the internal workings of cells – how they are built, communicate and divide? Are you interested in using this knowledge to develop new strategies for new medicines? If so, the Biosciences degree at UL might be for you.
Why study Bioscience at UL?
The Bioscience degree merges 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 Science industry, which spans biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology and the degree is designed to align with these areas. The course includes specialist guest lectures by members of the external BioPharma community giving the students a state-of-the-art insight into this exciting field.
Entry route to this Bioscience degree at UL is via LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences Common Entry.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
Having studied a broad common first semester, students will undertake specific modules in the area of chemistry, biology, maths and physics. Subsequently, the Bioscience programme will provide you with a strong foundation in the understanding of biochemical systems and microbial technology. With tailored contributions from industry speakers, the degree specific modules will instruct students on advanced molecular biology, host-microbe interactions, immunobiology, new therapeutic approaches, cell biology & cancer, and ‘omics’ & bioinformatics.
Core modules include:
Advanced cell and molecular biology – examines cellular structures (organelles, cytoskeleton, molecular motors), key cellular processes (trafficking, motility, apoptosis), systems biology of organisms and extracting meaningful data from large data sets to understand how diseases impact the brain.
Cancer mechanisms, therapeutics and molecular medicine – examines cell cycle controls in relation to cancer biology, and use of modern molecular technologies in targeting cancer and other diseases.
Cell and molecular biology of the immune system - examines the principles of self and non-self-recognition and how these mechanisms are involved in immunity and how aberrant self- regulation contributes to allergy and autoimmunity.
Cell communication and regulation - covers basic cell structure, the principles of the cell cycle and cell division, the control of living processes by genetic mechanisms, and cell communication systems.
Current trends in biotechnology and regenerative medicine – presents concepts such as ‘cell-on-a-chip’ technologies, tissue regeneration, new medicines, and new molecular analysis techniques.
Host microbe interactions – presents the key strategies microbes use to establish both beneficial and non-beneficial interactions with the host and the impact of these on health.
Microbiology and immunology – an introduction to the components of microorganisms and the host immune systems and how they interact.
Pharmacology and drug development – presents the biology behind drug target choice, drug screening techniques and the different classes of drugs, including protein-based drugs to target the brain and other organs.
The course includes significant laboratory based training and an independent research project. In addition the student will be placed in industry for eight months, giving real-world experience and an introduction to the BioPharma/industrial community.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer | ||
| CH4701 | General Chemistry 1 | BY4102 | Biology for Biosciences | |
| BY4001 | Biology 1 | CH4102 | Organic Chemistry 1 | |
| MA4601 | Science Mathematics 1 | PH4142 | introduction to Physics | |
| CH4021 | Laboratory Calculations | MA4602 | Science Mathematics 2 | |
| ER4011 | Introduction to Environmental & Biosciences | CH4031 | General Chemistry 2 (Inorganic) | |
| CH4051 | Introduction to Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry | CH4041 | General Chemistry 2 (Physical) | |
| CS4131 | Introduction to Scientific Computations |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Summer | ||
| BY4013 | General Microbiology | BY4008 | Genetics and Molecular Biology | |
| BY4015 | Plant Physiology | BY4014 | Microbiology and Immunology | |
| BY4035 | Cellular Biology and Biochemistry | BY4012 | Microbes as Metabolic Factories | |
| LS4003 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | BC4904 | Proteins and DNA | |
| BY4033 | Core Concepts in Bioscience | Elective |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Summer | ||
| BY4085 | Cell and Molecular Biology of the Immune System | CO4320 | Cooperative Education | Cooperative Education |
| BY4075 | Cell Communication and Regulation | |||
| BC4905 | Genetic Engineering | |||
| BY4031 | Integrative Physiology | |||
| Elective |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | Summer | ||
| BY4027 | Current Trends in Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine | BY4038 | Cancer Mechanisms | |
| BY4037 | Pharmacology and Drug Development | BY4048 | Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology | |
| BC4957 | Bioinformatics | BY4058 | Host Microbe Interactions | |
| ER4708 | Biometrics | BC4008 | Immuno and DNA Diagnostic Techniques | |
| BY4097 | Bioscience Final Year Project 1 | BY4098 | Bioscience Final Year Project 2 |
Entry requirements
| Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (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. |
|---|---|
| Subject requirements |
In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O3/H7 in Mathematics and a Grade H4 in any one of the following: Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry. |
| Additional considerations |
A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
|
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €20,900 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €21,000 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| BD Science and Engineering Undergraduate Scholarship | €2,000 for one year | 6 |
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme | ||
| The Roibeárd Thornton Memorial - Janssen Biologics Scholarship | €2,500 | 1 |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Career Prospects
Bioscience is extremely important to Ireland’s economy and its future growth. Graduates of the programme will be well positioned to gain employment in Ireland’s rapidly growing high tech Life Science industry or pursue further study in fields such as molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology or immunology.
Follow-On Study
The degree would provide an excellent foundation for students considering application to graduate entry medical school or to a post- graduate career in Bioscience/Life Sciences area.
Student Profiles
Daniela Mazur
Daniela’s University of Limerick journey began with the common entry Biological and Chemical Sciences course (LM123) in 2018. She then selected the Bioscience exit route. During her third year in UL, she carried out her co-operative placement with a diagnostics company in Waterford, as an assistant laboratory technician. In her fourth year, she completed a Final Year Project in the area of neuroscience with a focus on Parkinson’s Disease. Daniela was awarded a first place gold medal for this project.
In August 2022, Daniela graduated with a first class honours Bachelor of Science degree in Bioscience. Daniela is currently in the second semester of her Biomolecular Science masters at the University of Limerick. She is hoping to pursue a career in industry following the completion of her masters.
