Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Analytical Science is a three-year Level 7 degree designed to train analytical scientists to investigate the chemical nature of substances and evaluate how they behave under varying conditions. Analytical science is essential across high-value sectors—such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage manufacturing, and environmental protection—where ensuring product quality, consumer safety, and regulatory compliance is paramount. Ideal for students who enjoy practical science and problem-solving, this course equips graduates with the skills to test pharmaceuticals, safeguard food products, and monitor environmental health.
Practical Learning & Advanced Progression
The degree places a strong emphasis on hands-on practical training, utilizing modern analytical instrumentation in small group settings to maximize direct equipment time and individual support. In Year 3, students undertake a dedicated analytical research project to refine both their laboratory methodologies and project-management skills. The programme offers flexible exit and progression pathways:
- Embedded Exit Award: Higher Certificate in Science in Applied Chemistry (NFQ Level 6) available after Year 2.
- Level 8 Progression: Graduates are eligible for direct progression into Year 4 of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation (SE500).
Coursework
The three-year curriculum balances theoretical lectures with practical laboratory training across key commercial sectors:
- Modern Analytical Instrumentation: Hands-on training in spectroscopic, chromatographic, and wet chemical analysis techniques used in modern laboratories.
- Pharmaceutical Quality & Stability: Applying analytical methods throughout the drug manufacturing process to test drug purity, potency, and long-term product stability.
- Food & Environmental Analysis: Detecting contaminants, analysing nutritional components, and monitoring soil, water, and air quality for harmful substances.
- Laboratory Practice & Project Management: Developing precise measurement techniques, quality assurance protocols, data evaluation, and independent project execution.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn a Level 7 scientific degree that prepares them for technical roles in laboratory environments or direct academic progression into an honours degree:
- Quality Control (QC) Analyst & Laboratory Technician
- Environmental Testing & Water Quality Analyst
- Food & Beverage Quality Assurance Specialist
- Chemical & Biopharmaceutical Analyst
- Progression to Year 4 of the Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation
Upon completion of the Level 7 degree, graduates possess the technical instrument mastery and analytical problem-solving skills necessary to enter the scientific workforce or advance seamlessly to Level 8 honours degree qualification.
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 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|---|---|
| Analytical Inorganic Chemistry 1 (M) | Analytical Inorganic Chemistry 2 (M) |
| Organic and Physical Chemistry 1 (M) | Organic and Physical Chemistry 2 (M) |
| Instrumentation (M) | Biomolecules (M) |
| Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 1 (M) | Pharmaceutical Science (M) |
| Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 2 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
|---|---|
| Physical Chemistry (M) | Analytical Project and Workplace Planning (M) |
| Spectrochemical Methods (M) | Environmental Science (M) |
| Quality Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis (M) | Pharmaceutical Processing and Process Analytical Technologies (M) |
| Sampling and Separation Science 1 (M) | Microbiology for Pharmaceuticals (M) |
| Sampling and Separation Science 2 (M) |
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
Leaving Certificate:
- 5 subjects: O6/H7
- English or Irish: O6/H7
- Mathematics: O6/H7
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Graduates are eligible to progress to Year 4 of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation (SE500).
What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Graduates of this course work in a range of economically important and dynamic sectors in Ireland and internationally, including:
- Pharmaceutical production, product development, and quality control
- Production and quality control in food and beverage sector
- Environmental monitoring laboratories and agencies
Course Leader
Dr John Cleary
Lecturer in Chemical and Analytical Science -
Call: +353599173325
Email: [email protected]
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