Environmental Science
NUI Galway is on the doorstep of
some of the most pristine ecosystems
in Europe making it a great place
to gain a scientific understanding
of the complexities of ecosystems
and develop novel answers to
environmental challenges.
• The ability to analyse situations, identify
environmental problems and to select/
design appropriate solutions through
case studies and field work is fostered.
• Excellent communication, teamwork
and leadership skills, essential when
dealing with environmental issues, are
promoted.
• In addition to a wide range of Science
modules, students take Environmental
Law modules and can choose
Psychology modules since finding
solutions to environmental problems
can often depend on people’s
perceptions.
Financial Mathematics and Economics
This course equips you with expertise
in a range of quantitative subjects. It is
broader than either a purely actuarial
science or finance degree, so it may suit
if you are not yet ready to specialise.
• This course has an almost 100%
employment record for our graduates
across a diverse range of sectors.
• The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
has recognised this programme for the
purposes of obtaining exemptions from
professional actuarial examinations.
Students successfully completing this
course are eligible for exemptions in
three professional actuarial subjects:
Actuarial Statistics (CS1), Actuarial
Mathematics (CM1) and Business 2
(Business Economics) (CB2)
Genetics and Genomics
Genetics and genomics is a new
and exciting domain involving the
study and use of DNA-based data in
the life sciences.
• Graduates will be uniquely trained
to integrate knowledge and skills
from the biological sciences with
mathematical, computational and
data analytic skills.
• Graduates will use computational
tools to make important discoveries
in medicine, agriculture, evolution,
the environment and biotechnology.
• Students will benefit from group
learning in small classes and will
graduate with a broad range
of transferable skills including
communication, teamwork, critical
thinking and problem solving.
Marine Science
Marine Science involves the study
of marine life and environments
integrating topics across a number
of disciplines.
• NUI Galway is the only Irish
university offering this type of degree
programme and now has the highest
concentration of marine scientists of
any institution in Ireland.
• The Ryan Institute is a focus for
teaching and research activity in
Marine Sciences at the University. The
Ryan Institute’s aquaculture facility
carries out applied research at Carna.
• Marine Science graduates are
working and studying both worldwide
and closer to home, including at the
Marine Institute in Oranmore
Physics – degree options in Applied, Astrophysics, Biomedical, Theoretical
• If you have an enquiring mind and
are interested in discovering how
things work, this could be the course
for you.
• This is the only course in the country
that allows students a taste of four
areas of physics—applied, astro,
biomedical and theoretical climate—
in their first year.
• You will develop numerical,
computational and problem-solving
skills highly valued by employers.
• This degree course is externally
accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Biotechnology
• Biotechnology uses our knowledge of
biology to solve real-world problems. It
is about making use of molecules, cells
and organisms to provide medicines
and foods, enable forensics or reverse
pollution.
• Class sizes in biotechnology are small,
which means you get to know your
classmates quickly and interact more
with your lecturers.
• The language (French or German),
communication and business modules
help our students stand out from other
science graduates.
• The third-year placement option
enables students to spend 3–6 months
in research labs in continental Europe
or in biopharma industry in Ireland.
Agricultural Science
The US $8 trillion agrifood sector is
the largest contributor to economic
development globally. In Ireland, the
agrifood sector is a rapid-growth
sector extensively providing food,
employment and livelihoods.
• The dynamic agrifood sector requires
multidisciplinary skills to advance
both agricultural productivity and
sustainability, from production to
consumption.This degree has a major
focus on agricultural sustainability
and innovation. Graduates will
be equipped with practical
multidisciplinary skills to pursue vibrant
careers across all areas of agriculture
and agrifood. To make a difference
in the agrifood sector, you should
choose this exciting new course.
Biopharmaceutical Chemistry
• This course involves the study
of biomolecules that are also
biopharmaceuticals (such as
carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids
and proteins) and their applications as
therapeutics for medicine.
• The Biopharmaceutical Chemistry
course has a relatively small intake of
students and includes opportunities
for research and independent learning.
• The programme is accredited by the
Royal Society of Chemistry.
• Students can obtain valuable work
experience in industry with a six month
placement in Years Three to Four.
Earth and Ocean Sciences
Earth and Ocean sciences, a degree
programme unique within Ireland,
integrates geology and oceanography
to better understand how the Earth
works, how its different systems
interact (from the upper atmosphere
and down to the deep crust) and how
it is able to support life.
• This course exposes graduates to a
global career market, from sustainable
sourcing of raw materials, through
renewable energy, to environmental
assessment and the regulation and
monitoring of industries.
• The course aim is to train scientists
who can investigate issues of global
change and the course aligns with
UN sustainability development goals.
Law
Law impacts on all aspects of life today, and the LLB provides
you with an excellent basis for a career as a practising lawyer, as
well as in other fields such as administration, business, the media
and social work. The LLB is also excellent preparation for work in
a legal advisory capacity in the private or public sector.
The LLB offers all the subjects currently required for the entrance
examinations to the legal professions (solicitors and barristers) in
Ireland. Furthermore, by choosing certain subjects, students can
also become eligible for exemptions in relation to entry to the
legal professions in England and Wales. In addition, all students
are required to take a core module designed to equip them with
critical legal research, writing and presentation skills.
The programme is offered during daytime hours and may be
taken over:
• Two years, full-time (120 credits);
• Three years, full-time (180 credits), wide range of optional
modules;
• Four years, part-time (180 credits), wide range of optional
modules;
The three-year and four-year versions of the programme give
students the opportunity to tailor their studies to their own
requirements, by choosing from a wide range of optional
modules.
