UCC Undergraduate courses

Biomedical Science (Joint Programme with MTU)

About This Course

Fact File

  • Title

    Biomedical Science (Joint Programme with MTU)

  • Code

    MT871

  • College

    Science, Engineering and Food Science

  • Duration

    4 Years

  • Teaching Mode

    Full-time

  • Qualifications

    BSc (Hons)

  • Fees

    Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138. Students entering this course will pay the Student Contribution Charge to MTU. See Fees and Costs for full details.

  • Entry Requirements

    1 x H4, 1 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; H4 in a Lab Science. See Requirements for full details.

  • CAO Points

    2021: 590*

Course Outline

Biomedical Scientists work in partnership with doctors and other health healthcare professionals in investigating samples of tissue and body fluids in order to diagnose disease and monitor patient treatments.

Biomedical Science is a continually changing dynamic profession and involves study of the diverse areas of medical science including biochemistry, microbiology, cellular pathology, haematology and transfusion science. It provides training in cutting-edge technologies to facilitate investigation of disease and medical research.

Modules

The aim of this course is to educate you in Biomedical Sciences, including the state-of-the-art technologies used in hospitals and research laboratories. It is offered jointly by UCC and Munster Technological University and approximately 35 places are available.

To be eligible to work as a Biomedical Scientist in a hospital laboratory, you must hold a BSc Honours degree in Biomedical Science, followed by the postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Placement. The degree, in conjunction with the clinical placement, is accredited by both the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine and the Institute of Biomedical Science, allowing you to work as a Biomedical Scientist in hospital laboratories in Ireland, the UK and elsewhere.

Year 1 Modules:

All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.

Core 

  • BM1001 & BM1002 Introduction to Biomedical Science I & II 
  • BM1003 Cell Biology
  • BM1004 Creativity, Innovation & Teamwork
  • BM1007 Introduction to Health Science
  • BM1008 Introduction to Human Biology 
  • BM1009 & BM1010 Chemistry for Biological Science I & II 
  • MA1001 & MA1002 Calculus for Science I & II 
  • PY1008 Physics for Biomedical, Environmental, Food and Nutritional Sciences (10 credits)

Year 2 Modules:

Introductory Molecular Biology;  Analytical Chemistry;  Analytical Science and Instrumentation;  Introduction to Clinical Biochemistry;  Haematology & Transfusion Science I; Mammalian Cell & Tissue Structure;  Biomolecules;  Principles of Metabolic Pathways;  Fundamental of Microbiology;  Principles of Microbiology;  Introductory Physiology I & II

Year 3 Modules:

Pharmacology;  Molecular Microbiology;  Diagnostic Microbiology;  Haematology & Transfusion Science;  Research Methods for Biomedical Scientists;  Medical Microbiology;  Immunology: Host Response to Pathogens;  Transmission and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases;  Structural Biochemistry;  Advanced Metabolism;  Cell Signalling;  Cellular Pathology

Year 4 Modules:

Transfusion Science;  Clinical Biochemistry and Endocrinology;  Quality Management Systems for Biomedical Scientists;  Statistics in Biomedical Science;  DNA Diagnostics & Medical Genetics;  Haematology;  Bioinformatics for Biomedical Science;  Virology;  Cellular Pathology;  Research Project

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Course Practicalities

This course is offered jointly with Munster Technological University.

Why Choose This Course

Although I’m not directly involved with patients, much of their treatment is based on information I supply to the nurses and doctors.

Caroline Vaughan

Find Out More

The degree in Biomedical Science, in conjunction with the clinical placement is accredited by both the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine and the Institute of Biomedical Science. This twofold accreditation means you are eligible to work as a Biomedical Scientist in hospital laboratories in Ireland, the UK and elsewhere.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

In order for you to be eligible to work as a Biomedical Scientist in hospital laboratories, you must hold a BSc Honours degree qualification in Biomedical Science, followed by the postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Placement.

Skills and Careers Information

Biomedical Science represents an opportunity to put scientific knowledge into practical use and perform a key role within medical healthcare.

Biomedical scientists learn skills and gain qualifications that can be transferred all over Europe and can be recognised worldwide.

The depth of knowledge provided by the degree in Biomedical Science allows graduates to pursue a range of careers. Biomedical Science graduates work as medical scientists in hospitals;  in research, bio/pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; in public health; and in sales and marketing of medical products.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

At Least six subjects must be presented.  Minimum grade H4 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects.  English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Physics with Chemistry.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:

EnglishIrishMathsLab Science
O6/H7 O6/H7 O6/H7 H4

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 appicants 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

Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. 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. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138.

Please see Fees Office for more information.

For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.

How Do I Apply

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

EU Applicants

The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the CAO page for further information.

Mature Applicants (age 23 or over)

All interested mature applicants must make an application through the Central Applications Office (CAO). See the CAO Mature Applicants and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) pages. Visit our Mature Student Entry page for more information.

QQI/FET

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

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.

All Applicants

Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year. 

  • In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments. 

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

Top