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Bachelor of Science

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Entry Points (2015)
400

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Science degree is a programme which allows you to take a variety of subjects in the general scientific field before deciding to specialise in one scientific area for your four-year honours degree. It is the ideal choice for students who want to study Science, but are not yet ready to narrow their options to a specific topic. You can take subjects from the Physical Sciences, for example, and combine them with subjects from the Biological Sciences, the Mathematical Sciences, or the Earth and Ocean Sciences. Opportunities exist to choose from the wide range of subjects offered in the college. Please note, however, that quotas apply to second year subjects in the BSc Science programme.

The Bachelor of Science will give you a solid foundation in general Science subjects during your first three years of study. These include subjects you may already have studied, like Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics, but also include Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Biochemistry, Botany and Plant Science, Microbiology, Zoology, Pharmacology and the Earth and Ocean Sciences. With such a diverse range of scientific topics, students often find they need time to discover which specialism is for them.

As a Science graduate with critical thinking skills, your training will always stand to you, both in your professional career and in the personal interests you develop over your life. Research and development in industry and public sector bodies will continue to be a critical part of the development of knowledge economies. No matter what subject you decide to specialise in, there will be an R&D aspect to it in industry, academia or public sector bodies. In Ireland, industry leaders have repeatedly pointed to the need for more Science graduates to retain and build on the economy’s competitiveness. In addition, with climate change and ongoing food and energy resource challenges to sustainable development, the requirement for scientific solutions to the problems mankind faces is as great as ever.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum HC3 in two subjects and Passes in four other subjects at H or O Level in the Leaving Certificate including: Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Additional Requirements

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2017

A Level Grades (2015)

AAA or equivalent combination

Average intake

300

Closing Date

Next start date

September 2017

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY301

PAC code

Course Outline

Year 1

Students must take four modules in first year. The modules are arranged in groups, and students must choose one group from the following:
  • Group A: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics
  • Group B: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science
  • Group C: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
  • Group D: Biology, Chemistry, Introduction to Earth and Ocean Sciences and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
  • Group E: Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.
  • Group F: Introduction to Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Computer Science and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

Year 2

All students take three pathways or two pathways plus electives.  
Pathways:
  • Anatomy
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany and Plant Science
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematical Studies
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics and Applied Physics
  • Physiology
  • Zoology
Electives:
A variety of electives are offered

Year 3

Most students continue with two pathways. 
Pathways:
  • Anatomy
  • Applied Mathematics (Honours)
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany and Plant Science
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Mathematics (Honours)
  • Mathematical Studies and Computer Science
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics and Applied Physics
  • Physiology
  • Zoology
Electives:
A variety of electives are offered

Year 4

Students choose their honours degree: 
  • Anatomy
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany and Plant Science
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Mathematical Studies and Computer Science
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics and Applied Physics
  • Physiology
  • Zoology

Further Education

Students who obtain either a BSc (General) or BSc (Honours) degree may apply to take a Higher Diploma in Applied Science. These diplomas are industry-orientated. Graduates with good honours degrees in appropriate subjects may be admitted to postgraduate study as MSc or PhD students. The MSc degree may be obtained by course work with a minor thesis or by research work with a major thesis.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

A degree in science provides you with the potential to develop a wide variety of skills. Students can be employed in areas such as industry, IT, investment banking, consulting, marketing, research, or third-level education.

Some careers of past graduates include:

  • Medical Devices
  • Biodiversity Specialist
  • National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • Senior Inspector, EPA
  • Meteorologist, Met Eireann
  • Design Engineer
  • Curator of Astronomy & Modern Physics, Science Museum, London
  • Functional Ecologist, Teagasc

Our science graduates are seen as diligent, intelligent, hard-working and adaptable by other industries; hence it is possible to undertake successful career changes. A science degree equips you with the ability to learn, think independently and critically, and adapt to situations.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,492 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Tuition

€4,268 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2016/17

Fees: Non EU

€13,750 p.a. 2016/17
EU Fees 2016/17:
- Tuition: may be paid by the Irish Government on your behalf if you qualify for free tuition fees see - free fee initiative.

- Student Contribution: €3,000 - payable by all students but may by paid by SUSI if you apply and are deemed eligible for a means tested SUSI grant.

- Student Levy:  €224 - payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.

Find out More

The College of Science
T 353 (0)91 492182
F 353 (0)91 494578
E science@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/science

What Our Students Say

Rachel

Rachel Cleary |   QUALITY TECHNICIAN, CLS

Not knowing which discipline of Science I wanted to pursue, I chose the Bachelor of Science Degree at NUI Galway, which offers a basis for fundamental science and a broad foundation for which to specialise upon. I found my feet within the biochemistry department, where lectures and practicals were in-depth, informative and gave me the experience and analytical skills required for my job today. In my Final year project I spent half the year immersed in Laboratory life, where I gained skills in analytical techniques, time management and teamwork, which I felt prepared me for industry. I started working for a laboratory solutions company soon after my degree, and they placed me on contract within a global pharmaceutical company. Here I work within the quality laboratory, using techniques such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography which I first learned at NUI Galway.

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