Applied Biosciences - Cork
Knowledge of environmental science, analytical techniques, quality management and bioprocessing are seen as key requirements and these disciplines are studied in detail. Laboratory work forms a substantial part of the course. The development of high-level laboratory skills and the ability to use them in the service of advanced industrial biology are key aims of the course. Opportunities currently exist for a number of students on courses to participate in EU funded exchange programmes involving colleges and enterprises in Europe.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 Years (6 Semesters).
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
5 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 5
Subjects H5 0
Maths Grade O6/H7
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 541 Bachelor of Business
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 941 Bachelor of Business (Honours)
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Poplular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined in the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
LCVP Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Further Studies
Suitably qualified graduates of the BSc in Food & Health Science may apply for entry to year 4 (final year)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nutrition & Health Science
Suitably qualified graduates of the BSc in Applied Biosciences & Biotechnology may apply for entry to year 4 (final year)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this course have traditionally gained employment in the pharmaceutical, and food and healthcare industries, where graduates function in a variety of roles including; quality analysts, microbiologists, purification specialists, researchers and technicians. Graduates also have the option to progress to further academic studies at Level 8 at MTU.
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Food and healthcare industries
Further information
40
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
Overview
In MT 775 Applied Biosciences, years 1 and 2 are common. Students will not be required to choose their preferred qualification (Food & Health Science or Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology) until the beginning of year 3.
Knowledge of environmental science, analytical techniques, quality management and bioprocessing are seen as key requirements and these disciplines are studied in detail. Laboratory work forms a substantial part of the course. The development of high-level laboratory skills and the ability to use them in the service of advanced industrial biology are key aims of the course. Opportunities currently exist for a number of students on courses to participate in EU funded exchange programmes involving colleges and enterprises in Europe.
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology meets the demands of biotechnology, food and pharmaceutical industries for technologists and analysts. In addition, the requirements of the services and research laboratories for staff trained in biologically based analytical techniques are met by graduates of the course.
The Bachelor of Science in Food & Health Science meets the changing needs of the Food, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industries for technicians and analysts. Graduates are in great demand from multinational pharmaceutical companies, as well as the traditional employers in the food and drink sectors.
Advanced manufacturing in the food, healthcare, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and chemical industries have been employment destinations for graduates of this course as well as state and local authority laboratories.
First Year at a Glance:
As well as learning the main core science subjects in first year, students will also be exposed to modules in Biotechnology, and Food and Healthcare. The student will have the opportunity to study the different aspects of the following areas:
• Biotechnology: the application of biological systems to produce useful products
• Food Science: the science relating to the production of high quality, safe and nutritious food
There is a very significant emphasis placed on the practical laboratory aspect of the modules studied in first year, where the students are expected to perform experimental investigations under supervision, collate data, interpret results, and write scientific reports.
Question Time
Do I need to have Chemistry and Physics at Leaving Certificate level coming into the course?
No, the Chemistry and Physics modules taught in first year are designed for students who enter the programme without prior knowledge of these subjects. In addition, the MTU Academic Learning Centre at the Bishopstown Campus provides additional free tutorial support for both these modules.
What personal skills are most suited to the course and subsequent careers?
The best students and professional biotechnologists all possess a keen interest in biology and a desire to understand how complex biological processes work.
Dr Caitriona Guinane
T: +353 (0)21 433 5598
E: caitriona.guinane@mtu.ie