Biological and Chemical Sciences (Common Entry)

Are you interested in Science? Would you like to understand how living things work, evolve and function at the molecular or cellular level? Are you interested in a career that can really make a practical contribution to helping address the challenges that presently face the world, for example, the discovery of new drugs to fight disease, inventing new materials for biomedical devices, developing greener systems to protect the quality of our environment? Do you want a challenging career and one tailored to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of employers? Then this programme might be for you.

Why Study Biological and Chemical Sciences at UL?

This entry route is designed to provide you with a gateway to better choice if you’re unsure which area you’d like to study. You can avail of a broad common first year which will introduce you to various topics in Biological and Chemical Sciences. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise for the remaining 3 years of your degree programme. At UL, you get to try before you decide.

Science requires a fundamental understanding of the key areas of biology and chemistry and the LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences at the University of Limerick offers prospective students an opportunity to develop a core competency in both scientific areas in their first year at University. LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences is a gateway from Year 2 to a degree in either:

BSc Bioscience OR

BSc Environmental Science OR

BSc Industrial Biochemistry OR

BSc Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry OR

BSc Biomedical Science (after completing years 2 and 3 in Bioscience)

Having selected LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences you will be requested to rank the 4 degree options in order of your preference during Semester 2. In the event that a programme is over-subscribed, places will be allocated based on UL exam performance.

Choose your preferred degree pathway from one of the following four options;

The B.Sc. Industrial Biochemistry focuses upon the study of living cells (or components of living cells) and the medical/industrial applications of such substances. It is designed to prepare you for a career in biotechnology and allied industries, and has a very strong employment record.

The B.Sc. Environmental Science will provide you with a strong scientific understanding of environmental issues at local, national and global level and will give you a full knowledge of technological and management methods available to help improve the quality of our environment.

In the B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical & Industrial Chemistry fundamental and applied aspects of organic, inorganic, physical, analytical chemistry and materials chemistry are covered as well as key chemical engineering topics. These programmes will qualify you for employment in a variety of professional careers in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors.

With the B.Sc. in Biosciences degree the emphasis is on cell biology and molecular medicine. Ireland is one of the leading international locations for the Life Science industry, which spans biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology. Biosciences is extremely important to Ireland’s economy and its future growth.

The degree would provide an excellent foundation for students considering application to graduate entry medical school or to a post-graduate career in Bioscience/Life Sciences area.

Underpinning the LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences programme are two very important student facilities. The first is access to the Science & Maths Learning Support Centres which offers all students an opportunity to further enhance their scientific and mathematical knowledge in the core scientific areas. Secondly, in all of the subsequent degree options outlined above, industrial work experience over an eight month period is provided through a relevant work placement as part of the Cooperative Education programme. There are many benefits to this programme for the student including the opportunity to apply academic knowledge to the work environment as well as developing many important skills including teamwork, problem- solving and communication skills. It also provides the student with very valuable work experience which increases their future graduate employment prospects.

The career opportunities will depend primarily on the BSc course chosen by you, typical careers are:

B.Sc in Industrial Biochemistry

Biochemist, Teacher, Quality Assurance Manager, Scientific Researcher, Patent Agent

B.Sc. in Environmental Science

Environmental Officer, Environmental Laboratory Scientist, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Auditor, Water Conservation Officer, Water Quality Scientist

B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry

Chemist, Industrial Chemist, Environmental Chemist, Chemical Process Engineering, Quality Assurance Manager.

B.Sc in Bioscience

Graduates of the programme will be well positioned to gain employment in Ireland’s rapidly growing high tech Life Science industry.​

BSc in Biomedical Science

Graduates of this programme will be well positioned for careers across Biomedical Science and BioPharma, including areas such as disease diagnosis, disease intervention and treatment monitoring.