Students enter Second Science Biological Sciences from the First Science Area of Study: Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) provided they have passed First Science. The Second Science Biological Sciences programme consists of compulsory modules to the value of 50 credits, and additional elective modules to the value of 10 credits. Students taking biological sciences degree outlets, must take a minimum of 20 credits of chemistry modules and BT1001 during the first two years of CK402. In Third Science, students enter the honours degree programme in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Neuroscience or Physiology.

Quotas

For students who enter Second Science Biological Sciences in 2016/17, there is not a specific quota but students should note that there are quotas for entry to specific degree programmes in Third Biological Science.

Students entering second year from 2017/2018

For students who enter Second Science Biological Sciences from 2017/18, there will be a total of 120 places available in Second Science Biological Sciences. Students who opt to enter Biological Sciences will be offered a place in order of merit based on their First Year University Examination results. In determining aggregation and progression, full marks obtained in all modules passed at the Summer Examination Board in the first attempt plus capped marks obtained in modules in Supplemental and Repeat Year Examinations are used unless mitigation has been granted by an Examination Board. Note: entry to specific degree programmes in Third Science is also subject to quotas for each discipline.

Students enter Second Biological Sciences from First Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) and can proceed to a BSc (Hons) Degree in one of the following:

Biochemistry
Biotechnology
Microbiology
Neuroscience
Physiology

Programme Requirements
In Second Science, students take core modules to the value of 50 credits and elective modules to the value of 10 credits from the modules listed below.

Students take 60 credits as follows:

Core Modules
Biochemistry: BC2001 (5 credits), BC2002 (5 credits)
Molecular Biology: ML2001 (5 credits)
Microbiology: MB2005 (5 credits), MB2006 (5 credits)
Neuroscience: AN2003 (5 credits), AN2004 (5 credits)
Physiology: PL2021 (5 credits), PL2022 (5 credits)
Statistics: ST2001 (5 credits)

Elective Modules
Students select 10 credits from the following:
Semester 1
Chemistry: CM2001 (5 credits), CM2002 (5 credits), CM2003 (5 credits)
Plant Science: PS2001 (5 credits)
Zoology: ZY2000 (5 credits)

Semester 2
Biotechnology: BT1001 (5 credits)*
Chemistry:CM2201 (10 credits)**, CM2007 (5 credits)
Ecology: AE2001 (5 credits)

Note: Students repeating Second Science in 2016/2017 will be required to repeat under the revised programme.

*Students must take BT1001 if not taken in first year.
**Students must take CM2201 if CM1201 is not taken in first year.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Second University Examination in Science - Biological Sciences within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College only for very serious reasons.

Applicable to students entering Third Science in 2016/17

Degree Outlets, Quotas and Transfers

In Third Science, students enter the honours degree programme in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Neuroscience or Physiology. Entry to the degree programmes is subject to quotas (See Quotas below). Each year of a degree programme has a core of compulsory modules and a specified number of elective modules to the total value of 60 credits.

Transfer from Second Science Chemistry to Biochemistry
Students who have taken Second Science Chemistry with BC2001, BC2002 and ML2001 may apply to the Head of the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology by the first Friday in August to transfer to the Third Science Biochemistry Degree programme. Awarding of places is subject to the approval of the Head of the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.

Please complete the transfer form available here and submit to the School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology Administration office 3.19, Western Gateway Building, Western Rd, UCC.

Quotas
All students who pass the Second University Examination in Science and have taken the prerequisites, specified in the programme requirements, may enter an honours degree programme in Third Science but entry to a particular programme is subject to a quota. In filling the quotas, preference will be given to students passing the Second University Examination in Science at the Summer Examination in the first year of registration for the Second University Examination in Science, and in order of merit of aggregate marks obtained thereat. Remaining places, if any, will be filled in order of merit without distinction as to when the examination was completed. The decision as to the filling of such remaining places will be made after the results of the Autumn Supplemental Examination are known. The quotas for entry to the various degree programmes in Third Science in the year 2016/17 are presented in the Table below. Please note that for subsequent years (2017/18 and beyond), quota selection will be based on the aggregate of all second year results and there are no specific module requirements for degree outlets:

Programme Requirements

Students take modules to the value of 60 credits in one of the degree outlets as follows:

Biochemistry
Core Modules (50 credits)
BC3001 (5 credits), BC3003 (5 credits), BC3004 (5 credits), BC3005 (5 credits), BC3006 (5 credits), BC3007 (5 credits), BC3008 (5 credits), BC3009 (5 credits), BC3010 (5 credits), BC3012 (5 credits)

plus 10 credits from:
CM3104 (5 credits), MB3001 (5 credits), MB3002 (5 credits), MB3012 (5 credits), PE4010 (5 credits),
PL3005 (5 credits), PT3001 (5 credits), PT3002 (5 credits), PT3005 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Biotechnology
Core Modules (60 credits)
BC3001 (5 credits), BC3006 (5 credits), BC3009 (5 credits), BC3010 (5 credits), MB3005 (5 credits), MB3006 (5 credits), MB3008 (5 credits), MB3914 (5 credits), MB3021 (5 credits), PE2005 (5 credits), PT3001 (5 credits), BT3001(5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Microbiology
Core Modules (60 credits)
MB3002 (5 credits), MB3003 (5 credits), MB3005 (5 credits), MB3006 (5 credits), MB3007 (5 credits), MB3008 (5 credits), MB3012 (5 credits), MB3016 (10 credits), MB3017 (5 credits), MB3021 (5 credits), MB3914 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Neuroscience
Core Modules (55 credits)
AN3001 (5 credits), AN3003 (5 credits), AN3004 (5 credits), AN3009 (5 credits), AN3011 (5 credits), AN3012 (10 credits), AN3013 (5 credits), BC3006 (5 credits), BC3008 (5 credits), PT3001 (5 credits)

plus 5 credits from:
AN3005 (5 credits), AP2102 (5 credits), AP2103 (5 credits), PL3005 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Physiology
Core Modules (60 credits)
AN3001 (5 credits), BC3005 (5 credits) PL3005 (5 credits), PL3009 (5 credits), PL3021 (5 credits), PL3022 (5 credits), PL3023 (5 credits), PL3024 (5 credits), PL3025 (5 credits), PT3001 (5 credits), PT3002 (5 credits), PT3005 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Students who have passed Third Year may choose not to proceed to Fourth Year and may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Third University Examination in Science - Biological Sciences within three academic years from the date of first registration for Third Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College only for very serious reasons.

Programme Requirements

In Fourth Science students take modules to the value of 60 credits. The following list indicates the modules for each degree programme.

Biochemistry
Core Modules (60 credits)
BC4001 (5 credits), BC4002 (5 credits), BC4005 (5 credits), BC4009 (5 credits), BC4010 (5 credits), BC4011 (5 credits), BC4012 (15 credits), BC4016 (5 credits), BC4017 (5 credits), GN4001 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Biotechnology
Core Modules(60 credits)
BC4002 (5 credits), BC4005 (5 credits), BC4017 (5 credits), BT4001 (10 credits), BT4002 (10 credits), BT4003 (5 credits), BT4004 (5 credits), MB4013 (5 credits), PE4028 (10 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Microbiology
Core Modules (35 credits)
MB4002 (15 credits), MB4019 (5 credits), MB4025 (5 credits), MB4026 (5 credits), MB4027 (5 credits)

plus 25 credits from:
CS4801 (5 credits), MB4007 (5 credits), MB4008 (5 credits), MB4009 (5 credits), MB4010 (5 credits),
MB4011 (5 credits), MB4013 (5 credits), MB4020 (5 credits), MB4022 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Neuroscience
Core Modules (55 credits)
AN4008 (10 credits), AN4009 (5 credits), AN4010 (15 credits), AN4012 (5 credits), AN4013 (5 credits),
AN4014 (5 credits), BC4011 (5 credits), PT4005 (5 credits)

plus 5 credits from:
AP2102 (5 credits), AP2103 (5 credits), BC3004 (5 credits), BC4008 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Physiology
Core Modules (60 credits)
PL4020 (20 credits)

Plus 40 credits from:
PL4005 (5 credits), PL4006 (5 credits), PL4007 (5 credits), PL4009 (5 credits), PL4010 (5 credits), PL4011 (5 credits), PL4012, (5 credits), PL4013 (5 credits), PL4014 (5 credits)

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.
Examinations

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2017 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2016/2017.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences Degree Examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College only for very serious reasons.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Biochemistry (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of Biochemistry.
• Describe, apply and perform a range of Biochemistry laboratory techniques.
• Design, implement and evaluate scientific investigations and assess, interpret and present scientific data.
• Analyse critically research literature and present such analyses in both written and oral formats.
• Engage in professional and academic communication with other scientists.
• Work effectively, ethically and professionally as an individual, in teams and in multi-disciplinary settings, with the capacity for leadership and innovation.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Biotechnology (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Discuss the key principles and concepts underpinning the discipline of Biotechnology.
• Describe the role of modern and traditional biotechnology in society and critically analyse future biotechnological developments of relevance to society.
• Apply the basic principles of process engineering and unit operations to biological processes.
• Explain the role and applications of microbes in the biotechnology industry.
• Discuss the role of recombinant DNA technology and protein science in modern biotechnology.
• Critically assess recent and ongoing developments in biotechnology research and effectively communicate scientific knowledge both orally and in writing.
• Apply fundamental laboratory procedures for applications in research, in medical and/or industrial laboratories.
• Apply the scientific method of investigation and hypothesis testing, including the development of theoretical and practical skills, in the design and execution of experiments.
• Demonstrate appropriate scientific proficiency for entry into further postgraduate education/research or for employment in government, academic or industrial positions.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Microbiology (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Discuss the key principles and concepts underpinning the discipline of Microbiology.
• Describe the role of microbes in society and critically analyse future microbiological developments of relevance to society.
• Discuss in detail the physiology and biochemistry of bacteria, and the key elements of genetics in prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes and viruses.
• Explain the molecular basis of infectious diseases and host immune responses.
• Explain the role and applications of microbes in the food and biotechnology industries, in environmental biotechnology and in ecosystem functioning.
• Critically assess recent and ongoing developments in scientific research and effectively communicate scientific knowledge both orally and in writing.
• Apply fundamental laboratory procedures in Microbiology for applications in research, in medical and/or industrial laboratories.
• Apply the scientific method of investigation and hypothesis testing, including the development of theoretical and practical skills, in the design and execution of experiments.
• Demonstrate appropriate scientific proficiency for entry into further postgraduate education/research or for employment in government, academic or industrial positions.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Neuroscience (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Use fundamental knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and applied psychology to derive and apply solutions which promote a better understanding of the function of the human nervous system.
• Use fundamental knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and applied psychology to derive and apply solutions which promote a better understanding of the diseased or injured human nervous system and its repair.
• Work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings having developed the capacity to undertake lifelong learning and critical thinking.
• Communicate effectively with the scientific community and appreciate the importance of contributing to the public understanding of science and neuroscience in particular.
• Design and execute an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in neuroscience.
• Prepare written laboratory reports that describe an experiment or study, explain the scientific rationale clearly, present results and provide an appropriate conclusion.
• Prepare a scientific report based on experimental or literature research.
• Organise and deliver an oral presentation based on research.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Physiology (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe the different physiological systems and how they integrate to determine the function of the organism as a whole.
• Explain with suitable molecular, cellular and integrated physiology examples, the concept of homeostasis and how its disruption can lead to the disease state.
• Select techniques suitable for the evaluation of physiological process at the molecular, cellular, organ and system level, in an integrated manner that can be used to increase our knowledge of both normal and pathophysiological states.
• Critically evaluate research publications to enable them to formulate research ideas and hypotheses, and design experiments with appropriate controls.
• Interpret laboratory findings, perform appropriate statistical analysis and clearly communicate their research findings to both scientific and lay audiences, both orally and in writing, in the context of their laboratory research projects and course work.