Key Info
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Biochemistry
Entry Route(s):
Are you interested in biological sciences and wish to delve deeper? Would you like to understand how living things work, evolve and function at the molecular level? Do you want to prepare for a future where molecular biology will be at the coalface of human endeavour? Then this course might be for you.
Why Study Industrial Biochemistry at UL?
The B.Sc. In Industrial Biochemistry is a degree programme in biotechnology. It focuses upon the study of living cells (or components of living cells) and the medical/industrial applications of such substances. It is designed to prepare you for a career in the biotechnology sector and allied industries and has a very strong employment record.
Examples of traditional biotechnological processes include the use of microorganisms to produce alcohol or antibiotics. Examples of more modern biotechnological processes include the use of genetic engineering to produce protein-based drugs or “Biopharmaceuticals” (e.g. Insulins or Interferons), engineered plants, which are drought or pesticide resistant or transgenic animals displaying some novel characteristic, such as faster growth.
The core subjects studied include:
- Biochemistry (study of the structure and biological function of cellular molecules such as proteins and DNA, and how these molecules interact to form living cells)
- Industrial biochemistry (study of the applications of biological molecules for medical, industrial, environmental, agricultural or analytical purposes)
- Microbial technology (study of microbiology and the uses of bacteria, fungi, yeast and viruses)
- Genetic engineering (identification, isolation, engineering and expression of genes in order to gain new insights into gene function or for the generation of gene-mediated industrial/medical products)
- Bioprocess technology (aspects of industrial-scale biotechnology manufacturing/processing)
- Analytical science (methods and techniques used to detect and quantify biological molecules/chemicals in samples, for example, measurement of hormone levels in blood or pesticide levels in water)
In addition to these, a number of other relevant subjects are also undertaken, including computing, chemistry, maths and bioinformatics.
Read about our students' experiences:
What you will Study
The programme is of four years duration.The first year (through LM123 Common Entry) provides you with the required academic foundation in:
- Biology
- Introductory industrial biochemistry
- Computing
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Introductory physics
The second year builds upon these fundamentals, introducing you to courses in:
- Biochemistry
- Microbial metabolism and technology
- Bioprocess technology
- Analytical sciences
During the third and fourth years you will undertake additional specialised modules in biochemistry, genetic engineering, diagnostics, applied immunology and bioinformatics. In the final year a stream of elective modules allows the student to specialise in topics such as Biomaterials (new materials in the medical device industry), entrepreneurship, waste management and specialised biochemistry modules. A project, which is undertaken throughout the final year, allows students to analyse a problem in depth and, if interested in postgraduate research, gives you the opportunity to carry out an exploratory investigation of a potential research topic.
During the spring semester of year 3 and the subsequent summer, a period of Cooperative Education (student placement in industry) provides experience of the practice and application of industrial biochemistry in a working environment. Such relevant industrial experience, gained either at home or abroad, has proven particularly beneficial to students seeking employment in industry after completing their studies.
By the end of this course
You will have a deep knowledge of the concepts, facts and technologies that underpin industrial biochemistry. These areas include biochemistry, microbiology, genetic engineering, biotechnology and biochemical engineering. From here you will be very well placed to gain employment directly in industry, or go on to further studies, either within Ireland or internationally.
|
Year 1 |
Semester 1 |
|
Semester 2 |
|
CH4701 |
General Chemistry 1 |
BY4102 |
Biology for Biosciences |
|
BY4001 |
Biology 1 |
CH4102 |
Organic Chemistry 1 |
|
MA4601 |
Science Mathematics 1 |
PH4142 |
Introduction to PHYSICS |
|
CH4021 |
Laboratory Calculations |
MA4602 |
Science Mathematics 2 |
|
ER4011 |
Introduction to Environmental & Biosciences |
CH4031 |
General Chemistry 2 (INORGANIC) |
|
CH4051 |
Introduction to Applied Chemistry and Biochemistry |
CH4041 |
General Chemistry 2 (PHYSICAL) |
|
CS4131 |
Introduction to Scientific Computations |
|
|
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
| BY4813 | General Microbiology | BC4012 | Microbes as Metabolic Factories |
| BC4903 | Biomolecules | PT4004 | Introduction to Quality Management |
| CH4103 | Organic Chemistry 2A (1) | BC4904 | Proteins and DNA |
| CH4303 | Analytical Chemistry 1A | CH4304 | Analytical Chemistry 2A |
| MA4603 | Science Maths 3 | MA4604 | Science Maths 4 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Summer | |
| CG4003 | Bioprocess Engineering 1 | Cooperative Education | Cooperative Education |
| BC4705 | Industrial Biochemistry 1 | ||
| BC4905 | Genetic Engineering | ||
| CH4305 | Analytical Chemistry 3 | ||
| ER4627 | Safety and Industry |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
| BC4011 | Bioprocess Engineering for Biochemists | BC4718 | Industrial Biochemistry 2 |
| BC4917 | Biochemistry Project 1 | BC4008 | Immunology and DNA Diagnostic Techniques |
| BC4957 | Bioinformatics | BC4918 | Biochemistry Project 2 |
| MA4605 | Chemometrics | BC4907 | Cell Biochemistry |
| Elective: | Choose 1 of following; | Elective: | Choose 1 of following; |
| ER4507 | Waste Management 1 | ER4508 | Waste Management 2 |
| EP4315 | Enterprise Formation | EP4408 | Small Business Consulting |
| MT4017 | Biomaterials 1 | ME4308 | Biomaterials 2 |
| BY4027 | Current Trends in Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine | BY4048 | Advanced Cell and Molecular Biology |
| BY4037 | Pharmacology and Drug Development | BY4058 | Host Microbe Interactions |
Entry Requirements
| Minimum grades |
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English. |
|---|---|
| Subject requirements |
In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade O3/H7 in Mathematics and a Grade H4 in any one of the following: Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry. |
| Additional considerations |
A Special Mathematics Examination will be offered at UL following the Leaving Certificate results for those students who did not achieve the Mathematics requirement. We welcome applications from mature students. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
Filters |
How to Apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and Funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €7,358 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €7,358 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €7,358 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €20,542 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €20,638 |
Student course fees are comprised of three components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The curent student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €96. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €5,000 | 5 |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your Future Career
Employability skills from this degree
- Understanding complex biological processes
- Assembling arguments and engaging in debate
- Thinking independently and problem-solving
- Full and critical
- Critical, analytical and practical skills
- Numeracy
- Communication, presentation and IT skills
- Teamwork
- Self-management and professional development
The year after graduating with this degree
The University of Limerick Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) is a detailed review of the employment outcomes of UL graduates conducted annually by the University and supported by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The survey forms part of a nationwide review of the employment outcomes of Irish University Graduates. The table below illustrates a five-year trend for UL graduate employment levels and location the year after graduation.
| Employed in Ireland | Employed abroad | Further study | Not available | Seeking employment | No. of responses | Total no. of graduates | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63% | 4% | 25% | 4% | 4% | 24 | 29 | 2014 |
| 71% | 12% | 12% | 0% | 6% | 17 | 18 | 2015 |
| 71% | 11% | 11% | 2% | 5% | 44 | 51 | 2016 |
| 90% | 4% | 6% | 0% | 0% | 49 | 65 | 2017 |
| 82% | 3% | 10% | 3% | 3% | 39 | 47 | 2018 |
Further Research Options
- PhD in a relevant research field
- Bachelor of Medicines, Bachelor of Surgery (Graduate Entry)
- Graduate Diploma in Chemical Engineering
- MA in Business Management
Job titles for graduates with this degree
Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:
- Biotech Production
- Manufacturing Technician
- Irish Research Council
- Laboratory Assistant
- Laboratory Technician
- Manufacturing Biochemist
- Process Technician
- QC Analyst
- Quality Officer
- Research and Development Analyst
- Technical Support
Graduate Profile - Ciara Leahy
I studied both biology and chemistry for Leaving Certificate and liked the idea of combining these subjects to study at third level. I always had an interest in Science and knew I was likely to end up working in the industry. This course stood out to me because of the focus on industrial applications of biochemistry and I felt that it would really prepare me for a career in the industry.
The course contains a broad range of modules from analytical chemistry to microbiology to immunology and industry-relevant modules such as Quality Management. The first three years especially have many labs which give you a practical and hands-on approach to the subjects. Our lecturers are extremely supportive, personable and encouraging - it makes lectures more interactive and less like a school lesson. My favourite modules include Bioprocess Engineering and Industrial Biochemistry. In learning what techniques and equipment are being used in biopharmaceutical companies, it really prepares students for what to expect in the workplace.
The stand out experience at UL for me has been Co-op where I gained invaluable experience in industry. I was placed in Abbott Diagnostics, Sligo where I worked as a validation engineer. I was involved in authoring technical validation documents and I was directly involved in an FDA audit. I was also involved in a site investigation and the associated CAPAs which was a really good experience. While I wasn’t in a lab working directly with biochemistry, I gained an appreciation for the work that goes on behind the scenes including the validation of the lab equipment. I developed a range of skills including problem-solving skills when validations didn’t go to plan, teamwork skills from working on various departmental CFTs technical writing skills in the authoring of documents. My co-op exposed me to parts of industry which you can only learn so much about in a classroom.
