Key information for BSc in Analytical Science

Code: SE513 | Level: 7 | Duration: 3 Years | Delivery: Fulltime | Credits: 180

Location for BSc in Analytical Science

Location: Carlow | Campus: Kilkenny Road

Application Information for BSc in Analytical Science

Next Intake: Rolling Intake | Application Status: Open | Fee Information Link: /current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/undergraduate-fees

International Applicants information for BSc in Analytical Science

International Application Status: Open | Application Information Link: https://www.setu.ie/global/study-at-setu/applying-to-setu | International Fees Link: https://www.setu.ie/current-students/fees-and-grants/fees/global-fees

What modules are taught in BSc in Analytical Science?

Year 1 Modules: Fundamental Biology (M), Chemistry 1 (M), Laboratory Science (M), Quantitative Methods 1 (M), Physics 1 (M), Animal and Human Biology (M), Chemistry 2 (M), Quantitative Methods 2 (M), Physics 2 (M), Current Concepts in Science (M) | Year 2 Modules: Analytical Inorganic Chemistry 1 (M), Organic and Physical Chemistry 1 (M), Instrumentation (M), Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 1 (M), Analytical Inorganic Chemistry 2 (M), Organic and Physical Chemistry 2 (M), Biomolecules (M), Pharmaceutical Science (M), Quantitative Methods and Quality Control 2 (M) | Year 3 Modules: Physical Chemistry (M), Spectrochemical Methods (M), Quality Management, Experimental Design and Data Analysis (M), Sampling and Separation Science 1 (M), Analytical Project and Workplace Planning (M), Environmental Science (M), Pharmaceutical Processing and Process Analytical Technologies (M), Microbiology for Pharmaceuticals (M), Sampling and Separation Science 2 (M)

What are the entry requirements for BSc in Analytical Science?

What are the minimum entry requirements?Leaving Certificate:5 subjects: O6/H7English or Irish: O6/H7Mathematics: O6/H7

SE513 Carlow

Bachelor of Science

Analytical Science

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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)