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UCC Undergraduate courses

Chemistry

Course Fact File
CodeCK402 & CK406
Duration4 Years
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsBSc (Hons)
NFQ LevelLevel 8

Course Outline

The BSc in Chemistry will educate you in core areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, as well as the more specialised areas of environmental, materials and pharmaceutical chemistry.

This broad-based course provides an excellent foundation for employment or for further study. On completion of the degree in chemistry, you will be able to:

  • identify, formulate, analyse and solve chemistry problems
  • outline fundamental aspects of chemistry
  • design and carry out an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in chemistry
  • prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the
  • experiment and the reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion
  • communicate effectively with the chemistry communities

Many graduates work in industry, including microelectronics and pharmaceuticals, or in government laboratories. Others undertake further study in various specialised areas of chemistry.

Modules

Year 1 Modules:

Refer to CK402 and CK406

Year 2 Modules:

Core

Main Group & Transition Element Chemistry;  Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry;  Energetics & Kinetics;  States of Matter;  Structures & Reactions of Main Group Compounds; Aromatics, Carbonyls & Alkenes;  Spectroscopy;  Structure, Bonding & Quantum Mechanics

Electives

Numerical Methods and Programming;  Biomolecules;  Principles of Metabolic Pathways;  Crystallography, Optics and Mineralogy; Intermediate Calculus for Scientists; Linear Algebra, Molecular Biology;  Physiology;  Quantum Physics; Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics;  Biostatistics

Year 3 Modules:

Inorganic Chemistry; Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of Organic Compounds;  Physical Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry; Environmental Chemistry and Analysis; Materials Chemistry; Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Scientific Communication and Information Literacy Skills (SCILS)

Year 4 Modules:

Core

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry; Advanced Organic Synthesis, Biosynthesis and Reactivity; Photochemistry & Spectroscopy; Interfaces, Microscopy & Modelling;  Advanced Analytical Chemistry;  Advanced Research Projects

Electives

Advanced Nano Materials; Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution 

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours: Lectures and workshops normally take place in the morning with practical classes in the afternoons in Years 1, 2 and 3. Usually there are 12 to 15 hours of lectures/workshops per week.

Expected lab/practical hours: Usually 6-9 hours per week are spent in laboratory sessions.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment.  Laboratory skills and knowledge are assessed wholly by continuous assessment. Continuous assessment also comprises take-home assignments, in-class tests and tutorial sheets based on lecture material.

Why Choose This Course

It fascinated me and convinced me that chemistry was really right for me...

Christina O'Neill, 3rd Year Chemistry

Find Out More
There are a lot of labs in this course but that's a good thing because you get to get practical experience in the lab and they're actually really enjoyable...

Louise Shanahan, Graduate, BSc Chemistry

BSc Chemistry provides a broad-based course in core areas of chemistry which provide an excellent foundation for employment or for specialised, further study.

All BSc Chemistry students take a short course in scientific communication skills and chemical information literacy.

In your final year you will undertake an original research project working as part of an existing research team within the School or in an associated research centre.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

There may be opportunities for summer projects in the School of Chemistry. The School is an active participant in undergraduate student-exchange programmes with numerous partner universities across Europe.

Skills and Careers Information

As a student on this course, you can expect to gain subject-specific skills, in particular laboratory techniques.

In addition, you will learn a range of transferable skills, including time management, communication, information-retrieval and problem-solving skills.

There are also opportunities to work as part of a team, thus developing your interpersonal skills.

Our graduates are employed in industry, including the microelectronics and pharmaceutical sectors, or in government laboratories. Others undertake further study in various specialised areas of chemistry.

The BSc Chemistry course is approved by the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland and is accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Requirements

Refer to CK402 and CK406.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.

Fees and Costs

  • Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
  • The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
  • See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
  • Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
  • Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.

How To Apply

Refer to CK402 and CK406.

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO. 

Mature Applicants 

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.

QQI/FET Applicants 

Apply via the CAOSee our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process. 

Non-EU Applicants 

If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information. 

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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