Biological Sciences - General Entry
If you’re endlessly fascinated by how living things function and keen to make a contribution to humanity, biological sciences will appeal to you. By choosing this general entry course, you can discover more about molecules, cells and life, develop your scientific skills and discover different specialist study and career paths.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
1 plus 3 years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum of 6 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6/H7, which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. In addition, applicants must present at least 2 subjects at Grade H5.
Additional Requirements
Minimum of O3 or H6 in Mathematics PLUS minimum of O3 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry, Agricultural Science or Computer Science
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Applicants wishing to undertake a Level 8 degree at DCU must be at least 16 years of age on 15 January of the year of entry.
Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following 6 groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B.
2 Economics, Agricultural Economics.
3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry; only 2 best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry; only best scored.
4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all 3 subjects are taken; only the best 2 will be scored.
5 Latin, Classical Studies.
6 Greek, Classical Studies.
Candidates who meet the points requirements but not the specific course requirements, for example H4 in English for the BA in Journalism, are permitted to repeat that subject only to meet the course requirements.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. However, these courses will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:
DC001 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
DC009 - Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
DC014 - BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
DC131 - BA in Communication Studies
DC132 - BA in Journalism
DC133 - BSc in Multimedia
DC155 - BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
DC231 - BA in International Relations
DC232 - Bachelor of Civil Law and Society
DC235 - BSc in Education and Training
DC238 - BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation
DC291 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Media)
DC292 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Law)
DC293 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (International Languages)
DC294 - BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability
DC295 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Politics)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Please note that LCVP link modules cannot be used as a subject for general or specific course entry requirements, but can be used for the calculation of points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
DCU welcomes applicants with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5/6) qualifications. Applicants who have a full National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 award in appropriate qualifications and modules can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses.
QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route is a competitive entry route with a limited number of places. A quota of places are offered based on the CAO ranked order of applicants based on performance. For courses with a QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route, approximately 10% of places are retained for QQI-FET (Level 5) applicants. Application is made through the CAO.
Careers / Further progression
Future Careers
Further Study-Postgraduate Research
Production Scientist in Biopharma Industries
Quality Management and Regulation in Biopharma Industries
Bioprocess Plant Design and Commissioning
Technical Sales and Support
Biomedical Scientist in Health Sectors
Further Study - Teaching
Technical Roles in Food and Beverage Production
New Product Development in Bioprocessing Industries
Brewing
Further information
Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.
For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
For more information, please contact the Mature Student Officer, orla.stafford@dcu.ie or dcu.ie/mature-students
For general and admission enquiries, please visit dcu.ie/registry/ug-admissions
120 (DC180, DC181 and DC168)
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why DCU?
− Chance to explore biology, biotechnology and bioprocessing in Year 1 before choosing the BSc in Biotechnology (DC181), the BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology (DC168), or the new BSc in Bioprocessing for Years 2, 3 and 4
− Student-centred blended learning approach aimed at developing your core scientific and bioprocessing skills
− Hands-on laboratory training covering all areas of science in Year 1
− Opportunity to apply basic scientific concepts for real societal impact
About You
Do you like studying biology, especially the application of biology to the manufacture of products for the benefit of mankind? Do you have an inquisitive and analytical mind, and are interested in the basic sciences? Then Biological Sciences General Entry is a great option for you.
Understanding: Biological Sciences General Entry
Biology is an increasingly diverse area with a wide array of topics. Our understanding of molecules, cells and life is central to human society and progress. Within this option, you can do the BSc in Biotechnology (DC181), the BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology (DC168), or the new BSc in Bioprocessing.
The BSc in Biotechnology focuses more on applying our knowledge of biology and bioprocess engineering to make molecules, such as pharmaceuticals, on an industrial scale.
The new BSc in Bioprocessing will contain a little bit more bioprocess engineering than the BSc in Biotechnology (DC181) course, but, importantly, will involve a brand new approach to teaching and learning. There will be far less emphasis on lectures and examinations and much more focus on multidisciplinary projects and teamwork. There will also be a strong emphasis on acquiring digital and data analytics skills.
The BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology (DC181) option, will provide you with the knowledge and skills to investigate how life works at a molecular and cellular level. The sub-disciplines that you will study include immunology, cell and molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry, and computational biology (bioinformatics).
Course Structure
Part of Year 1 is taken in common with other science courses, so you will be studying biology, chemistry, physics and a module in which you will develop the basic skills required to thrive at third level. You will also study a newly-designed mathematics course which will use adaptive learning methods so that students can progress at a pace that suits them.
At the end of Year 1 you will be prepared to progress to Years 2, 3 and 4 of your chosen Biological Science degree, which include:
- BSc in Bioprocessing (via DC180)
- BSc in Biotechnology (DC181)
- BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology (DC168)
Progression to your chosen Year 2 course may be merit based depending on demand.
What Will I Study?
Year 1
Chemistry, Biology and Physics Laboratories | Chemistry | Professional Skills for Scientists and Engineers | Physics | Cell Biology and Biochemistry | Microbiology and Genetics | Calculus and its Applications / Introduction to Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
For Years 2, 3 and 4, you will take the modules of your chosen degree course.
Additional Information
Biological Sciences General Entry designated degree courses satisfy the current subject curricular requirements for teaching biology at post primary level set by the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Contact Details
Tel: +353 (0) 1 700 5284
E: bge.biotechnology@dcu.ie
E: studenthelp@dcu.ie
Visit Us Online dcu.ie/DC180