This Diploma programme is available to students of UCC's international partner institutions with which UCC has a bilateral agreement under Statute 263 of the National University of Ireland. Having studied for at least two years at a partner university, students will study for one year at University College Cork, taking the programme to a value of 60 credits as outlined below.

To be considered for the award of University Diploma in Biological Sciences, a student must have satisfactorily attended undergraduate modules to the value of 60 credits as prescribed by the Head of the relevant academic units of their chosen discipline. Students may choose 2nd, 3rd and where permitted 4th year (School of BEES only) undergraduate modules (subject to timetabling and other constraints). Where a module has prerequisites (as specified in the module description), a student must satisfy this prerequisite by demonstrating, to the satisfaction of the relevant academic unit, that a similar module has been passed in the partner institution. The full programme of study is subject to final agreement by the relevant UCC academic units and the student's home institution.

Students take 60 credits from the list below (subject to timetabling and other constraints):

School of BEES:
AE2001 (5 credits); BL2001 (5 credits); PS2001 (5 credits); PS2002 (5 credits); ZY2000 (5 credits); ZY2005 (5 credits); BL3001 (5 credits); BL3002 (10 credits); BL3003 (5 credits); BL3004 (5 credits); PS3008 (5 credits); ZY3015 (5 credits); ZY3019 (5 credits); ZY3020 (5 credits)

The following School of BEES modules are only available to students who have successfully completed three full academic years at their home institution:
AE4016 (5 credits); BL4004 (5 credits); BL4006 (5 credits); PS4006 (5 credits); PS4021 (5 credits); PS4024 (5 credits); ZY4016 (5 credits); ZY4021 (5 credits)

School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology:
BC2001 (5 credits); BC2002 (5 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); BC3011(5 credits)

School of Microbiology:
ML2901 (5 credits); MB3901 (5 credits); MB3993 (5 credits); MB3005 (5 credits); MB3006 (5 credits); MB3007 (5 credits); MB3008 (5 credits); MB3017 (5 credits)

Workload Guidelines
It is strongly recommended that students do not take any more than 40 credits in any semester. Students are therefore advised to choose their modules so that the workload is evenly spread throughout the year.

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

Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Programme Learning Outcomes for Diploma in Biological Studies (NFQ Level 7, Special Purpose Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Analyse core biological theories, concepts and models;
• Demonstrate an ability to perform selected biological techniques;
• Explain and communicate to various stakeholders in their biological discipline;
• Interpret and analyse data / laboratory / fieldwork results in the biological discipline;
• Communicate analysis of biological issues relevant to their discipline through writing reports and/or participating in group discussions/presentations.