BSC BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE

Biomedical science explores disease processes and how new therapies might be developed. During this 4-year degree, you'll learn how to investigate disease processes, use technical procedures to monitor human health, all while developing your analytical, practical and research skills.

November Open Days Download our Prospectus
Qualification
Bachelor Of Science Degree
CAO Points
451
CAO/MU Apply code
MH205
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

Biology is the study of life, from the fundamental building blocks of our genes to the largest animals that inhabit our planet; how living things work – how they interact with one another and their surroundings, and how they change and evolve; and it involves the application of biomedical science to clinical research.

Biomedical science seeks to:

  • understand disease processes and how new therapies might be developed
  • utilise fundamental biological knowledge to advance clinical research

The degree is broadly similar to the pre-clinical component of a medical degree. You will learn how to:

  • use analytical and technical procedures to monitor and improve human health
  • investigate disease processes
  • ask questions, make observations, and analyse evidence – in theory work and through practical laboratory sessions
  • present and communicate findings clearly while developing computer literacy and research skills

In first year, you will benefit from the opportunity to study either:

  • a Bachelor of Arts subject such as Economics, Spanish or Anthropology
  • a Bachelor of Science subject

Course structure

Duration: 4 years

First year

  • Biology
  • Biomedical Science
  • Maths
    • Science or Arts subject
      • Science subjects: Chemistry, Computer Science or Experimental Physics
      • Arts subjects: Anthropology, Business (International), Business (Management), Business (Marketing), Economics or Spanish

Second year

  • Biology
  • Biomedical Science
  • Maths or Science subject taken in first year (Chemistry, Computer Science or Experimental Physics)
  • Optional 10 credit from Elective available in second year

Third year

  • Biology
  • Biomedical Science

Fourth year

  • Biomedical Science
  • Research Lab Project opportunity

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

BL1F15 - Biology

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI102

7.5

2

Y

BI101

7.5

1

Y

BL1MF15 - Biomedical Science

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Biomedical Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI103

7.5

1

Y

BI108

7.5

2

Y

MT1SF15 - Mathematics

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT101SC

5

1

Y

MT102SC

5

2

Y

MT113SC

5

Year-Long

Y

AN1V30 - Anthropology

Credits: 30  |  Not compulsory

Anthropology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN169

7.5

2

Y

AN167

7.5

1

Y

AN170

7.5

2

N

AN171

7.5

1

N

MN1IF15 - Business (International)

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Business (International) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MN159

7.5

1

Y

MN155

7.5

2

Y

MN1MF15 - Business (Management)

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Business (Management) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MN151

7.5

1

Y

MN155

7.5

2

Y

MN1KF15 - Business (Marketing)

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Business (Marketing) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MN152

7.5

1

Y

MN155

7.5

2

Y

CH1F15 - Chemistry

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH102

7.5

2

Y

CH101

7.5

1

Y

CS1F15 - Computer Science

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Computer Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CS181

7.5

1

Y

CS182

7.5

2

Y

EC1F15 - Economics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC103

7.5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

EP1F15 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP101

7.5

1

Y

EP102

7.5

2

Y

FN1F15 - Finance

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Finance modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC103

7.5

2

Y

EC101

7.5

1

Y

SPA1F15 - Spanish For Non-Beginners

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Spanish For Non-Beginners modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA181

7.5

1

Y

SPA182

7.5

2

Y

Year 2

BL2F20 - Biology

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI203

5

1

Y

BI201

5

1

Y

BI204

5

2

Y

BI210

5

2

Y

BL2M20 - Biomedical Science

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

CH2F20 - Chemistry

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH224

5

2

Y

CH201

5

1

Y

CH203

5

2

Y

CH202

5

1

Y

CH2F10 - Chemistry

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH224

5

2

N

CH201

5

1

N

CH203

5

2

N

CH202

5

1

N

CS2F10 - Computer Science

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Computer Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CS210

5

1

N

CS211

5

2

N

CS285

5

1

N

CS240

5

2

N

CS2F20 - Computer Science

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Computer Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CS210

5

1

Y

CS211

5

2

Y

CS285

5

1

Y

CS240

5

2

Y

EP2F10 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP204

5

2

N

EP202

5

1

N

EP201

5

2

N

EP205

5

1

N

EP213

5

2

N

EP2F20 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP204

5

2

Y

EP202

5

1

Y

EP201

5

2

Y

EP205

5

1

Y

EP213

5

2

N

MT2F20 - Mathematics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT201S

5

1

Y

MT202S

5

2

Y

ST221

5

1

Y

MT216C

5

2

Y

MT2F10 - Mathematics

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT201S

5

1

N

ST221

5

1

N

MT216C

5

2

Y

AC2EL - Accounting In Society

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Accounting In Society modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AC210

5

1

N

AC211

5

2

N

GC2MEL - Ancient Mythology - Epic And Tragic Tales

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Ancient Mythology - Epic And Tragic Tales modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GC231

5

1

N

GC232

5

2

N

AN2EL - Anti-Racism

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Anti-Racism modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN215

5

1

N

AN216

5

2

N

CN2BEL - Beginning Chinese

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning Chinese modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN261

5

2

N

CN260

5

1

N

FR2BEL - Beginning French

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning French modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR260

5

1

N

FR261

5

2

N

GN2BEL - Beginning German

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning German modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN260

5

1

N

GN261

5

2

N

SPA2BEL - Beginning Spanish

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Beginning Spanish modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA260

5

1

N

SPA261

5

2

N

CAT2EL - Catalan Language And Culture

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Catalan Language And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA225

5

2

N

SPA215

5

1

N

PHY2EL - Climate Change And Sustainable Energy

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Climate Change And Sustainable Energy modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PHY260

5

1

N

PHY261

5

2

N

CN2CEL - Continuing Chinese

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing Chinese modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CN281

5

1

N

CN282

5

2

N

FR2CEL - Continuing French

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing French modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR281

5

1

N

FR282

5

2

N

GN2CEL - Continuing German

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing German modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

GN281

5

1

N

GN282

5

2

N

NG2CEL - Continuing Nua-Ghaeilge

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing Nua-Ghaeilge modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

NG211

5

2

N

NG201

5

1

N

SPA2CEL - Continuing Spanish

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Continuing Spanish modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA281

5

1

N

SPA282

5

2

N

PD2DEL - Eden Entrepreneurship Design And Innovation

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Eden Entrepreneurship Design And Innovation modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PD217A

5

1

N

PD218A

5

2

N

MD2EL - Film And Screen Studies

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Film And Screen Studies modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MD240

5

1

N

MD216

5

2

N

MU226

5

2

N

SPA223

5

2

N

SK2EL - Foundations In Science Writing And Communication

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Foundations In Science Writing And Communication modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SK252

5

2

N

SK251

5

1

N

TH2GEL - Good And Evil

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Good And Evil modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

TH251

5

1

N

TH252

5

2

N

EN2BEL - Great Books

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Great Books modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EN280

5

1

N

EN281

5

2

N

EC2EL - Influential Ideas In Economics

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Influential Ideas In Economics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EC216

5

2

N

EC222

5

1

N

PH2LEL - Introduction To Philosophy In The Digital Age

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Introduction To Philosophy In The Digital Age modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PH221

5

2

N

PH215B

5

1

N

TESL2EL - Introduction To Teaching English Language

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Introduction To Teaching English Language modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

TESL201

5

1

N

TESL202

5

2

N

NG2IEL - Irish Cultural Heritage

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Irish Cultural Heritage modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

ID001

5

1

N

ID001X

5

2

N

ID013X

5

2

N

ID013

5

1

N

POR2EL - Portuguese Language And Culture

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Portuguese Language And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SPA216

5

1

N

SPA226

5

2

N

KD2AEL - Prioritising People And Planet

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Prioritising People And Planet modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

AN261

5

2

N

KD212

5

1

N

FR2REL - Refresh Your French

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Refresh Your French modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

FR271

5

1

N

FR272

5

2

N

PD2SEL - Service Innovation

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Service Innovation modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PD201

5

2

N

PD264

5

1

N

EX2EX - Skills For Success:professional Development

Credits: 5  |  Not compulsory

Skills For Success:professional Development modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EX202

5

2

N

EX201

5

1

N

MN2EQEL - The Growth And Development Of The Irish Equine Industry

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

The Growth And Development Of The Irish Equine Industry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MN232

5

2

N

MN230

5

1

N

SG2EL - Wondrous People And Places: An Introduction To Celtic Literature

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Wondrous People And Places: An Introduction To Celtic Literature modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

SG228

5

2

N

SG256

5

1

N

Year 3

BL3DM - Biology

Credits: 30  |  Compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI315

5

2

N

BI305

5

1

Y

BI303

5

1

Y

BI301

5

1

Y

BI302

5

2

Y

BI304

5

2

Y

BI306

5

2

N

BL362

15

1

N

BL350

15

1

N

BL364

15

1

N

BL352

15

1

N

BL360

15

1

N

BL356

15

1

N

BL3MDM - Biomedical Science

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Year 4

BL4MSM - Biomedical Sciences

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Biomedical Sciences modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI405

5

1

N

BI425

5

Year-Long

N

BI439

5

2

N

BI418

5

2

N

BI411

5

1

N

BI445

15

Year-Long

N

BI443

5

2

N

BI440

5

2

N

BI441

5

1

N

BI444

5

1

N

BI423

10

Year-Long

N

BI436

5

2

N

BI435

5

2

N

BI437

5

2

N

BI403

5

1

N

BI410

5

2

N

BI448

15

1

N

BI421

5

1

Y

BI447

20

Year-Long

N

BI420

5

Year-Long

Y

BI454

5

2

N

BI433

5

1

N

BI407

5

1

N

After Graduation

Academic staff in the Department of Biology enjoy international reputations and expertise in bioinformatics, cancer biology, cell biology, immunology, medical mycology, microbiology and molecular genetics. Many of our graduates pursue taught master’s courses in a variety of areas such as

  • biotechnology,
  • molecular medicine,
  • immunology or microbiology
  • research degrees (MSc or PhD) in fundamental science or clinical research.

Graduates also obtain employment in the pharmaceutical or life science industries.

This degree does not provide the qualification required to work as a medical scientist in a hospital diagnostic laboratory.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7 and O6/H7 in Irish, English & Science subject (one of Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry) & O4/H7 in Mathematics.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.

HEAR

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

Yes

O4

H7

Science

Yes

O6

H7

* This course requires 2 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page.
  2. International Applicants - International (Non-EU) applicants for undergraduate programmes submit their application online via our online application portal. Applications open on 14th October 2026 and close on 1st July 2027. For further information, please navigate to our International applicant page.

Mature applicant information

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview/online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2027

There is a potential transfer opportunity into this degree from the BSc Bachelor of Science MH201.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University Department of Biology
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/biology

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