Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biosciences with Biopharmaceuticals is a four-year Level 8 degree concerned with the study of living organisms and their application in advanced medical drug manufacturing. Biopharmaceuticals—therapies produced using living systems such as bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells—represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in modern medicine. Designed for students who thrive in hands-on scientific environments, the programme develops expertise across bioanalysis, biotechnology, genetics, immunology, diagnostics, bioforensics, and biopharmaceutical production.
Practical Learning & Work Placement
Practical laboratory work accounts for more than 50% of total course time, delivered in small groups to maximize direct experience with industry-standard equipment. Students gain essential real-world experience through an integrated 12-week industry work placement. In Year 4, students undertake a major industry-relevant research project, utilizing skills in scientific data sourcing, experimental design, and formal presentation built across the earlier years of the degree.
Coursework
The four-year curriculum progresses from fundamental science to advanced industrial bioprocessing and independent research:
- Years 1 & 2 (Core Scientific Foundations): Building a comprehensive grounding in general biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and the cellular mechanics of living organisms.
- Years 3 & 4 (Specialized Biopharmaceutical Science): Advanced practical training in bioanalysis, molecular genetics, diagnostics, immunology, and bioforensics.
- Bioprocess Production & Quality Control: Monitoring biologically based manufacturing streams, applying quality assurance protocols, and maintaining bioprocess integrity.
- Scientific Communication & Year 4 Capstone Project: Sourcing scientific literature, experimental data synthesis, and executing an extensive independent research dissertation.
Career Opportunities
Graduates hold an honours-level scientific qualification that prepares them for technical, research, and regulatory roles across biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and life science sectors:
- Biopharmaceutical Process Scientist & Production Specialist
- Quality Control (QC) & Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst
- Biotechnology Research & Development (R&D) Scientist
- Bioanalysis & Diagnostic Specialist
- Validation & Regulatory Affairs Officer
- Postgraduate Study (Master's and PhD programmes in Biosciences, Biotechnology, or Biopharmaceutical Science)
Upon completion of the four-year degree, graduates possess the extensive laboratory capabilities, industrial placement experience, and research skills required to excel in the global biopharmaceutical sector or pursue advanced doctoral studies.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Biology (M) | Animal and Human Biology (M) |
| Chemistry 1 (M) | Chemistry 2 (M) |
| Laboratory Science (M) | Quantitative Methods 2 (M) |
| Quantitative Methods 1 (M) | Physics 2 (M) |
| Physics 1 (M) | Current Concepts in Science (E) |
| Current Concepts in Brewing and Distilling Science (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Microbiology 1 (M) | Fundamentals of Microbiology 2 (M) |
| Molecular Biology 1 (M) | Molecular Biology 2 (M) |
| Biochemistry Biomolecules (M) | Biochemistry Metabolism (M) |
| Instrumentation (M) | Analytical Techniques Pharmaceutical Science (M) |
| Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 1 (M) | Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 2 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Biology and Immunology 1 (M) | Spectroscopy for Biosciences (M) |
| Food Microbiology (M) | Microbial Cell Factory (M) |
| Biochemistry 1 (M) | Molecular Biology and Immunology 2 (M) |
| Manufacturing (M) | Biochemistry 2 (M) |
| Quality Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis (M) | Bioscience Project and Workplace Planning (M) |
| Quality Management Statistical Data Analysis for Pharmaceutical Industry (E) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
|---|---|
| Environmental Health and Safety (M) | Current Trends in Biopharmaceutical Technology (M) |
| Pharmaceutical Science (M) | Research Project in Bioscience/Biopharmaceuticals (M) |
| Molecular Genetics and Immunology 1 (M) | Molecular Genetics and Immunology 2 (M) |
| Industrial Bioprocessing (M) | Bioforensics (M) |
| Work Placement Bioscience/Biopharmaceuticals (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
- 2 subjects: H5
- 4 subjects: O6/H7
- English or Irish O6/H7
- Mathematics O6/H7
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Many graduates undertake postgraduate opportunities at SETU Carlow and other national and international institutions.
What exemptions will I receive?
-Notes
-What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
The four-year Biosciences with Biopharmaceuticals course is designed to produce highly employable
graduates for the bioscience, biotechnology, biopharmaceutical science and food science industries. These sectors are rapidly evolving and offer excellent and varied employment options in quality control, quality assurance, technical, supervisory or management areas.
Stories
Course Leader
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