Biotechnology (BSc (Hons))

University College Cork

Ireland, Cork

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Home/Ireland/Cork /University College Cork/Biotechnology (BSc (Hons))

University College Cork

Ireland , Cork

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

CK402

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines9-Sep-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

EUR 23,000 / year

Next Intake 9-Sep-2024

Biotechnology (BSc (Hons))

About

Why Choose This Course

Using R and other languages to approach these problems allows me to be creative and innovative when exploring new ideas.

Rachel Fitzgerald

MSc in Bioinformatics with Computational Biology

This experience really helped me understand the area I wanted to work in and the career path I wanted to pursue

Conor Coughlan

MSc Food Science

I was interested in how the world works and how we, as global citizens, can engage with the system to make the world a better place.

Laura Cashman

MA International Relations

The BSc Biotechnology is the only degree outlet from CK402 that offers a placement.

The BSc Biotechnology offers an unique combination of modules from Microbiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Pharmacology and Process Engineering.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

The BSc Biotechnology incorporates a mandatory 5 month industrial placement at the end of Year 3.

Skills and Careers Information

What can I do after I graduate with a BSc Biotechnology?

The BSc Biotechnology is ideal for you if you have a broad interest in the application of life science. The BSc Biotechnology will also equip you with a skillset that is very popular with employers e.g. critical thinking, data analysis, the ability to communicate ideas and independent thinking. These transferrable skills are useful in a wide range of career fields, even outside of science.

Occupations associated with BSc Biotechnology

The biotechnology industry is a major source of employment in Ireland and particularly in the Cork region. Indeed most of the worlds top companies in Pharma and Biotechnology (e.g. Janssen, DePuy, Pfizer, GSK, MSD, Novartis) have research/manufacturing facilities in the Munster area.

Industry: quality control/assurance, project leaders, research and development

Academia: research (towards MSc and/or PhD), lecturer

What are our graduates doing?

The BSc Biotechnology is a new programme in UCC (starting 2016) and we have worked closely with our industry partners to ensure that our graduates will be very attractive to the Biotechnology sector in Ireland and abroad. BSc Biotechnology graduates will also have an excellent degree in the life sciences and will therefore be well-equipped to undertake post-graduate research (either MSc or PhD).

Requirements

Refer to CK402, Biological and Chemical Sciences

Non-EU Candidates

Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such candidates 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.

Refer to our International Office page for more information on how to apply to UCC.

Fees and Costs

The State will pay the tuition fees for full-time EU students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2022/23 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €138.

For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.

How Do I Apply

Refer to CK402, Biological and Chemical Sciences

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): See the CAO Mature Applicants page and the Mature Students Admissions Pathway (MSAP) page for essential information on the application process for mature students.

QQI FET/FETAC Applicants: See our QQI FET/FETAC Applicants page.

Non-EU Applicants: Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page.

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. Please 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.

A biotechnologist takes an understanding of life science and applies it to the benefit of mankind. The BSc (Hons) Biotechnology will provide students with an excellent training in modern biotechnology, including molecular biology, food biotechnology, immunology, protein science, bioinformatics and process engineering. Students will also be expected to complete a work placement and a final year research project.

The entry route to the BSc Biotechnology is through the general Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) entry. At the end of the degree you will have an excellent training in the life sciences with a skill set that will equip you for a career in research and/or industry.

Refer to CK402 for more details.

Year 1 Modules:

Comprises core modules in the four main branches of science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. Biology modules include Microbiology, Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

Year 2 Modules:

You will begin to specialise but you will still be able to choose modules that will leave you with 3 or more degree choices at the end of the year. Core biology modules include Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry.

Year 3 Modules:

You commit to your degree choice. In the BSc Biotechnology you will take a dedicated course of lectures and practical laboratory modules encompassing Microbiology, Biochemistry, Process Engineering and Pharmacology.

Placement:

At the end of year 3 you will carry out a 5 month (from May to October) work placement in an industry and/or laboratory that is relevant to biotechnology. The placements are organised with the support of the Careers Office in UCC.

Year 4 Modules:

You will take a dedicated set of courses in Microbiology, Biochemistry and Process Engineering. You will also undertake a supervised research project in a research laboratory in UCC.

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the CK402 Biological and Chemical Sciences Programme.

Disciplines

Science

Engineering and Food Science

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Recognised Qualification

Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS 1 Year at Bachelor degree level from a recognised university with competitive grades in specific relevant subjects

Band 2 Programmes

Minimum Entry Requirements

Minimum average of 90% in Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS competitive grades in year 1 at Bachelor degree level.

International Baccalaureate

English Program Requirements

English Language Requirements (for Non-Irish EU applicants)

Teaching in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is normally through the medium of English; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English Language.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in English Language through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions) in a recognised English language test, as specified below (note applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only):

UCC Language Centre Pre-sessional Programmes

These programmes are available to assist students who:

Have not achieved their required level of English for acceptance onto their undergraduate or postgraduate programme
Feel they do not have the academic or general English language skills necessary to succeed at the University

Find out more about the Language Centre's Pre-Sessional Programmes.

Career

Expected lecture hours: Lectures are conducted between 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. You will have approximately 288 lectures hours per year and these may include directed study/reading hours on the module.

Expected lab/practical hours: Your laboratory practical/tutorial hours will amount to approximately 216 per year. In Year 4 you will also complete a 6 week lab-based project in the area of Biotechnology. This will be performed under the supervision of a member of staff. The project aims to enhance your laboratory skills and critical abilities in identifying, analysing and solving problems in scientific research and to develop your skills in communicating your research.

Costs for lab manuals/lecture hand-outs vary from year 1 through to year 4 but on average costs about €15 per year. Textbooks: students typically spend between €50-100 per year on books.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules have formal examinations. Some modules use other types of assessment.

Modules that contain practical components also assess this aspect by reviewing laboratory reports. Some year 3 and year 4 modules include assignments, dissertations and reports as part of the assessment. The placement and the final year project will be assessed using a combination of laboratory/placement performance, written report and oral presentation.

Who Teaches this Course

The BSc Biotechnology will be taught by members of staff from the Schools of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Process Engineering and Pharmacology. All academic staff are leading experts in their field with PhDs and they are actively engaged in research that is relevant to biotechnology.

Learn more about some of the staff teaching on the BSc Biotechnology:

Dr David Clarke (Director) School of Microbiology (http://publish.ucc.ie/researchprofiles/D010/davidclarke)

Prof Tom Cotter School of Biochemsitry and Cell Biology (http://publish.ucc.ie/researchprofiles/D003/tcotter)

Dr Maria de Sousa-Gallagher Department of Process Engineering (http://publish.ucc.ie/researchprofiles/D015/mdesousagallagher)

Dr Ashley Allshire School of Pharmacology (http://publish.ucc.ie/researchprofiles/C007/aallshire)

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

EUR 23,000 / year

How to Apply

1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC;
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.