Physics with Data Analytics
In this groundbreaking degree, you will combine the skills and knowledge of a Physics degree with the advanced data analytics tools you need to solve real-world problems in new and exciting ways. It is particularly suitable for those who wish to pursue a career as a physicist in industry, finance, tech or other demanding corporate sectors. The BSc in Physics with Data Analytics is run by the DCU School of Physical Sciences in collaboration with partners across DCU and industry.
Biotechnology (DC181)
By studying a wide range of scientific and engineering subjects, you’ll gain the necessary skills to succeed in the emerging, technology-driven biotech industry.
At the start of the Biotechnology course, you’ll be introduced to the basic sciences, mathematics and computing. As you progress, you’ll discover more comprehensive areas of biotechnology, ranging from genetics and process engineering to immunology and gene cloning.
In third year, specialist areas are introduced. In addition, in Year Three you will have the opportunity to work in industry as part of our paid industrial training programme (INTRA).
In fourth year there is a strong emphasis on choice, with students selecting from a wide range of subjects. You’ll also undertake a significant research project in your final year.
Science courses at DCU provide an ideal opportunity to acquire hands-on experience, not only at the laboratory bench but also in meeting the challenges associated with ongoing creative research projects. Here you’ll be able to explore your true potential through practical work—much of which count towards your final mark.
Genetics and Cell Biology (DC168)
The first year of the course is taken in common with other science courses, so you will be studying biology, chemistry, physics, biostatistics and computing.
In Year Two, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of genetics, the biochemistry of the cell and microbiology. You’ll also be introduced to pharmacology and instrumentation.
In the first semester of Year Three, you’ll gain the practical skills and techniques that form the basis of cell and gene technologies. These include gene cloning and bioinformatics (the application of computing in genetic analysis). With this knowledge, you’ll be well prepared for your six-month work experience placement (INTRA).
In the final year, you’ll explore the advances arising from research in genetics and cell biology as well as medical products and the healthcare industry. A significant research project must also be completed.
Bioprocessing
Bioprocessing is at the heart of the biopharmaceutical and related industries. It involves the integrated application of biological sciences and bioprocess engineering principles to the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, enzymes, food, and related products, on a commercial scale. This programme will develop your understanding of the fundamental biological principles and methods involved in the development of new drugs and related products.
You will also come to understand the problems posed by the demands of large-scale production, and you will develop the bioprocess and biomolecular engineering knowledge and skills to solve those problems.
As a budding bioprocessing specialist, you’ll have a unique appreciation of the integrated nature of bioprocessing and you’ll be able to combine your knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology and genetics with your expertise in bioprocess control, data analysis and process modelling and simulation.
Your strong knowledge of both biology and bioprocess engineering, and your ability to integrate these disciplines, will place you in the perfect position to work, research and innovate in the rapidly changing bioprocessing sector.
Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence (DC163)
The Chemical Sciences General Entry programme will provide you with the opportunity to study different types of chemistry, so that you can discover which aspects of chemistry inspire you most before choosing your degree specialism.
The programme ensures you will gain excellent hands-on laboratory experience in our award winning undergraduate laboratories (Education lab of the Year-Irish Laboratory Award). Small student groups within the laboratory assisted by a fully trained laboratory Tutors helps to ensure an excellent student-centred laboratory learning experience for each student.·
You will have the opportunity to study dynamic and interesting Chemistry topics and some Biology focused modules before you select your preferred degree programme and the end of year one. Topics include drug design, analytical techniques as applied to industry and forensics, environmental chemistry and biomolecules
Upon successful completion of year one the degree choices are:
BSc in Analytical Science, or
BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
BSc in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence (run by the DCU School of Chemical Sciences in collaboration with the DCU School of Computing.)
The dynamic range of labwork you will conduct ensures you will develop your problem solving skills while conducting innovative experiments that reflect the needs of the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and broader Chemical industry.
Physics with Biomedical Sciences
This course combines lectures, tutorials and modern laboratory work with fundamental physics concepts and exciting, real-life technological skills and applications in the biomedical area. This will develop your analytical and problem-solving skills. Throughout your course, you will work in a custom-designed physics building equipped with state-of-the-art undergraduate and research laboratories. Seminars are delivered by international experts and eminent DCU researchers. Visits to internationally renowned biomedical research institutes will also be important parts of the course.
In Years One and Two, you’ll learn the basic foundations of physics and the fundamentals of chemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology.
In Years Three and Four, you’ll study a selection of more advanced physics topics, such as Quantum Mechanics or Laser Physics, which underpin applications in the biomedical sciences. Application courses at the interface between the physical and life sciences, such as Biomechanics of Human Movement, will also be offered. In Year Four, expert academic staff will teach medical physics subjects such as Medical Imaging or Medical Applications of Lasers.
In Year Three, INTRA will be an important opportunity for you to work for an extended period in a hospital and experience a real medical environment. INTRA placements in private companies with business interests in medical/biological instrumentation, Biotechnological applications or optical medical diagnostic applications, for example, are also possible.
Your Year Four project is an opportunity to experience first-hand the excitement and personal achievement associated with scientific research. On several occasions, final-year physics students with exceptional project work have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation.
Physics with Astronomy
Over the duration of this course, you’ll work with real astronomical data from a variety of telescopes and observatories worldwide. Throughout the degree, there is an emphasis on laboratory and project work (both individually and in groups) and IT skills, which are valuable skills for your future.
The first two years focus on classical and modern physics, combined with various aspects of astronomy, as well as mathematics, electronics and computing.
In Year Three, you can take a five-day field trip to a foreign observatory or choose to work in industry or a research group as part of your INTRA placement.
In the final year of the course, you’ll have a choice of topics, allowing you to concentrate on various applied aspects relating to physics and astronomy.
A major element of Year Four is your individual laboratory-based project that gives great scope for individual initiative. It also entails working with professional astronomers on the academic staff at DCU, whose work is at the forefront of international astronomical research. On several occasions, final-year physics students with exceptional project work have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation.
During the course, you’ll be encouraged to apply for scientific internship schemes, including visiting fellowships in organisations such as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Applied Physics
This degree combines lectures, tutorials and stimulating laboratory work and projects with fundamental physics concepts and exciting, real-life technological skills and applications.
The basic foundations of physics will be laid in Physics General Entry (Year One) and Year Two, while in Years Three and Four, you can choose to study from a range of specialist topics, such as instrumentation, nanotechnology, semiconductor materials, plasma physics, computational physics, elements of data science, and microfluidics.
In Year Three, your paid INTRA work placement will give you the opportunity to experience the industry for up to eight months. If you wish to pursue a research career, you will have the option of spending your placement working in one of the research groups in the School of Physical Sciences, where you’ll assist with cutting-edge research projects.
You’ll conduct your Year Four project in DCU’s world-class laboratories, experiencing the excitement and personal achievement associated with scientific research. On several occasions, final-year physics students have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation on the basis of their project work.
During the course, you’ll be encouraged to apply for scientific internship schemes, including visiting fellowships in organisations such as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
Bachelor of Civil Law (DC232) Study Abroad
The BCL (Law and Society) degree consists of a mixture of compulsory and optional modules.
In Year One, all modules are compulsory.
In Years Two and Three, there are some compulsory modules but you’ll also choose from a range of optional modules.
The BCL is normally a three-year course. However, you can opt to spend an extra year abroad in one of our partner universities in Spain, Scotland, China or Poland, experiencing life in another country and studying another legal system.
After you complete the year abroad, you’ll return to DCU for your final year.
Internship Year You can also opt to apply for a year-long INTRA work placement in Year Three. This will give you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and experience the relevance of your study in the real world. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information on the INTRA programme at DCU, please visit www.dcu.ie/intra
Understand the critical socio-legal perspectives embedded within the delivery of all law subjects
Enjoy small group teaching, delivered by highly qualified, committed law lecturers with strong research expertise
Cover all foundational law subjects and some additional subjects not usually found on undergraduate law degrees
Observe law in practice with internship opportunity
Build transferable skills, including research techniques, and oral and written communication proficiencies
Experience life in and observe another country’s legal system with an optional study abroad year
Analytical Science (DC161)
Year One will provide you with the essential background knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology. These are of vital importance in later years. Thought-provoking laboratory work is an integral part of the course in all years of the course.
The major emphasis in Years Two and Three is on analytical science, with chemical and biological aspects being developed in parallel. In Year Three, you can choose between a chemistry stream or a biology stream. Both streams cover the major, modern state-of-the-art analytical techniques, and you’ll enjoy plenty of hands-on experience in our exceptionally well-equipped facilities.
Your period of industrial placement (INTRA) before your final year ensures that you gain valuable work experience in a real-life setting, putting the many things you have learned on the course to the test.
Year Four covers more specialised methods and applications of analytical science, which, when integrated with the basic analytical techniques you’ve already learned, present you with the opportunity to develop your own analytical approach to solving complex problems. Chemistry and biology specialist options are maintained, ensuring that you still gain the multidisciplinary education that modern employers demand. The final part of your course is the full-time project taken in the last semester.
