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Microbiology- BSc (Hons)

  • CAO Points: 309

  • Campus: Athlone

  • years: 4

  • Course Code US862

  • Level 8

  • Course Type Undergraduate – CAO

  • Study Mode Full Time

  • Department Bioveterinary & Microbial Sciences

Course Overview

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, known as microorganisms or microbes, that are usually invisible to the naked eye, including bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses and prions. These microbes are critical to all aspects of life on our planet. Microbiology is diverse which is reflected in sub-disciplines such as medical, environmental, food and industrial microbiology.

Several modern scientific disciplines including genetic engineering, genomics, bioinformatics, microbial biotechnology, immunology and molecular biology originated from classical microbiology and therefore form an integral part of the teaching and research of microbiology at TUS. An industrial placement during the third year of the programme provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience and establish direct links with industry.

Contact Details

Dr. Andy Fogarty

Email: Andy.Fogarty@tus.ie

Dr. Dawn Howard

Email: Dawn.Howard@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Grade H5 in two higher- level subjects, Grade 05 in Mathematics at ordinary level, plus three subjects at Grade O6 at ordinary level. Subjects to include a language (English or Irish).

QQI

Any major QQI award with three distinctions and a pass in C20139 or 5N1833 or C20174 or C2017 or Leaving Certificate Maths at O6/H7.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

  • Mathematics for Scientists

  • Biology for Biology for Bioveterinary and Microbial Science

  • Physics

  • Chemistry

  • Learning and Development for Higher Education in Microbiology

  • Information Technology for Scientists

  • Current Scientific Issues through Enquiry Based Learning for Microbiologists

  • Scientific Computing

  • Microbial Biochemistry

  • Microbial Methods through Enquiry Based Learning

  • Mathematics and Statistics for Life and Physical Sciences

  • Microbial Genetics and Technology

  • Microbial Systematics with Eukaryotic Microbiology

  • Introduction to Applied Microbiology

  • Principles of Sterilisation

  • Virology with Immunology

  • Good Manufacturing Practice

  • Food with Brewing Microbiology

  • Environmental Microbiology

  • Industrial Bioprocessing

  • Work Placement

  • Clinical Trials

  • Industrial Focused Project

  • Occupational Health Hygiene and Hazards 1

  • Waste Management Technology

  • Computational Biology

  • Bioinformatics

  • Research Methods

  • Advanced Food Microbiology

  • Advanced Environmental Microbiology

  • Applied Statistics and Experimental Design

  • Advanced Industrial Bioprocessing

  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship

  • Current Trends in Microbiology

  • Quality Management

  • Research Project

What can you do after this programme?

The programme will provide a thorough preparation for careers in industry, in the food and environmental sectors or for postgraduate research study opportunities. The module in computational biology and bioinformatics will provide training in a key area of DNA and protein sequence analysis which is not a main focus of other science courses where you can specialise in microbiology.

There are unique opportunities for placement and training e.g., Marine Institute, Teagasc and other companies. Graduates from the BSc (Hons) in Microbiology will have career opportunities across several sectors, including: food, pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnological, biorefinery, environmental, pollution control, bioremediation and industrial and wastewater treatment.

They can also find work in hospitals, public health laboratories, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies involved in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of illnesses associated with microorganisms.

Universities and colleges, in addition to medical, dental and veterinary schools, all require microbiologists as researchers and teachers. For those interested in further study typical postgraduate subjects for microbiologists include medical microbiology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, environmental microbiology, genetics and molecular biology. In addition, options such as the Professional Masters of Education (PME) for future second level science teachers can also be taken.

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.