Programme Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Bioscience is a three-year Level 7 degree concerned with the study of living organisms and the foundational processes that drive modern life sciences. In particular, the course underpins the rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry, which uses biological systems—such as bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells—to manufacture advanced medical drugs. Ideal for students with a passion for biological inquiry and hands-on experimentation, the programme builds core technical competencies across biotechnology, genetics, immunology, bioanalysis, diagnostics, and bioforensics.
Practical Learning & Industrial Project
Practical, hands-on training is a central pillar of the curriculum, with more than 50% of total course time dedicated to laboratory work. Practicals are delivered in small class groups to maximize individual guidance and equipment access. In Year 3, learning culminates in a practical industrial project, where students apply their technical skills to real-world scenarios involving the production, monitoring, and quality control of biological processes.
Coursework
The three-year curriculum progresses from foundational biological principles to specialized industrial applications:
- Years 1 & 2 (Scientific Foundations): Building a strong grounding in general biology, organic chemistry, biochemistry, and the fundamental mechanics of living organisms.
- Year 3 (Specialized Bioanalysis & Bioprocessing): Detailed practical training in molecular genetics, immunology, diagnostic techniques, bioforensics, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Quality & Bioprocess Control: Monitoring biological production streams, applying quality control protocols, and analysing cellular processes.
Career Opportunities
Graduates hold a practical Level 7 scientific degree that qualifies them for high-demand technical roles across biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare sectors, along with clear progression routes to Level 8 honours add-on degrees:
- Biopharmaceutical Production Technician & Quality Control (QC) Analyst
- Biotechnology Laboratory Analyst
- Bioanalysis & Diagnostics Specialist
- Quality Assurance (QA) Associate in Life Sciences
- Environmental & Industrial Microbiologist
- Progression to Level 8 Honours Add-on Degrees in Bioscience, Biotechnology, or Biopharmaceutical Science
Upon completion of the Level 7 degree, graduates possess the extensive laboratory capabilities and bioprocessing knowledge required to step directly into technical industry roles or seamlessly progress into Level 8 honours degree 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 (M) |
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
What are the minimum entry requirements?
5 subjects: O6/H7Â
English or Irish: O6/H7Â
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 Biosciences with Biopharmaceuticals at SETU Carlow. There are also opportunities to progress to honours degree courses in other Irish or international higher education institutes.
What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
This 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 question
Have a question about
this course?
Our team is here to help.
If you have any questions about this course, please get in touch and we'll be happy to assist.
