BSC BIOTECHNOLOGY

Discover biotechnology – where science and innovation meet. A multidisciplinary field that combines biology, chemistry, genetics and other sciences, during this 4-year degree you'll study core disciplines like molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, biochemistry and more.

November Open Days Download our Prospectus
Qualification
Bachelor Of Science Degree
CAO Points
423
CAO/MU Apply code
MH202
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

Biotechnology is where science meets innovation, using biology to tackle global challenges from disease and food security to climate change and energy.

This is a multidisciplinary field that combines biology, chemistry, genetics and other sciences.

You will study core disciplines such as:

  • molecular biology
  • immunology
  • microbiology
  • biochemistry
  • cell biology as well as applied areas including:
  • genetic engineering
  • bioethics
  • molecular diagnostics
  • bioprocessing of food and drugs

Professional placement: you will complete a work placement at the end of your final year, based on availability, strengthening your prospects of securing employment after graduation. Placement locations include leading domestic and international biotechnology companies.

There is a potential transfer opportunity into this degree from MH201.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years

First year

  • Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and 1 other Science subject (Data Science or Experimental Physics or Mathematical Physics)

Second year

  • Concentrate on Biotechnology, Chemistry, and either Mathematics or a Physics subject, depending on first year choices
  • Optional 10 credit Elective

Third year

  • Focus mainly on Biotechnology and Chemistry

Fourth year

  • Concentrate on Biotechnology
  • Industry work placement (subject to availability)

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

CH1F15 - Chemistry

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH102

7.5

2

Y

CH101

7.5

1

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

DS1F15 - Data Science

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Data Science modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

DS151

7.5

1

Y

DS152

7.5

2

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

MP1F15 - Mathematical Physics

Credits: 15  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MP110

7.5

1

Y

MP112

7.5

2

Y

Year 2

BL2T20 - Biotechnology

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Biotechnology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI201

5

1

Y

BI205

5

1

Y

BI206

5

2

Y

BI210

5

2

Y

CH2F20 - Chemistry

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH224

5

2

Y

CH201

5

1

Y

CH203

5

2

Y

CH202

5

1

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

MP2F10 - Mathematical Physics

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MP204

5

2

N

MP201

5

1

N

MP215

5

1

N

MP203

5

2

N

MP205

5

1

N

MP2F20 - Mathematical Physics (Without Ep2F20)

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Mathematical Physics (Without Ep2F20) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MP204

5

2

Y

MP201

5

1

Y

MP215

5

1

Y

MP203

5

2

Y

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

GN2GEL - Gender And Sexuality In Society And Culture

Credits: 10  |  Not compulsory

Gender And Sexuality In Society And Culture modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

IS201

5

1

N

IS202

5

2

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

BL3T35 - Biotechnology

Credits: 35  |  Compulsory

Biotechnology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI203

5

1

Y

BI305

5

1

Y

BI301

5

1

Y

BI302

5

2

Y

BI304

5

2

Y

BI308

5

2

Y

BI314

5

1

Y

CH3F25 - Chemistry

Credits: 25  |  Compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH304C

5

1

Y

CH333

5

2

Y

CH326

5

1

Y

CH322

5

2

Y

CH301C

5

1

Y

Year 4

BL4TSM - Biotechnology

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Biotechnology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI405

5

1

N

BI412

5

1

Y

BI415

5

Year-Long

Y

BI417

5

Year-Long

Y

BI441

5

1

N

BI416

5

Year-Long

Y

BI444

5

1

N

BI455

25

2

Y

BI403

5

1

Y

BI407

5

1

N

After Graduation

Ireland has a world leading biopharmaceutical sector with exports worth over €100 billion and employing over 50,000 people. The majority of Maynooth University Biotechnology graduates are in full time employment in this and related sectors.

Biotechnology is a global industry, and graduates are in high demand in a range of sectors including:

  • biopharmaceuticals
  • healthcare
  • agriculture
  • food production
  • environmental science

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

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