BSC PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL CHEMISTRY

This 4-year specialised degree is ideal if you're interested in how chemistry is used to develop medicines, understand disease, and improve human health. You'll benefit from industry-focused learning and gain career-ready skills.

November Open Days Download our Prospectus
Qualification
Bachelor Of Science Degree
CAO Points
430
CAO/MU Apply code
MH210
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

If you are interested in how chemistry is used to develop medicines, understand disease, and improve human health, this specialised degree is designed for you.

Our students benefit from:

  • industry-focused learning – studying topics directly relevant to pharmaceutical and biomedical careers
  • professional work placement opportunity - gaining real-world experience through a six-month placement or internship (subject to availability)
  • career-ready skills - developing expertise in lab techniques, data analysis, analytical thinking, communication, scientific writing and presentation and teamwork

You will build a strong foundation in chemistry and biology in first year, before moving into more specialised areas such as:

  • medicinal chemistry and drug design
  • biochemistry and molecular biology
  • pharmaceutical analysis and drug action

In this programme you will receive an excellent education in a range of different aspects of chemistry and explore concepts such as computational, pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, drug design and drug formulation.

Combining chemistry and biology, you will develop a deep understanding of how drugs are designed, developed, and tested, preparing you for a career in one of Ireland’s most important and rapidly growing industries.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years

First year

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

Second year

  • Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry Workshops
  • Mathematics
  • Optional 10 credit Elective

Third & Fourth year

  • Chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry
  • Biology
  • Work placement/internship (subject to availability)

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

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

CH1PF15 - Chemistry (Pharmaceutical And Biomedical Chemistry)

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Chemistry (Pharmaceutical And Biomedical 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

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

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

BL2C20 - Chemical Biology

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Chemical Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI201

5

1

Y

BI205

5

1

Y

BI206

5

2

Y

BI210

5

2

Y

CH2P40 - Pharmaceutical Chemistry (For Mh210)

Credits: 40  |  Compulsory

Pharmaceutical Chemistry (For Mh210) modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT201S

5

1

N

CH224

5

2

Y

ST221

5

1

N

MT216C

5

2

N

CH201

5

1

Y

CH207

5

Year-Long

Y

CH203

5

2

Y

CH202

5

1

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

CH3PSM - Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Pharmaceutical Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH304C

5

1

Y

CH312

5

1

Y

CH333

5

2

Y

CH326

5

1

Y

CH322

5

2

Y

BI301

5

1

Y

BI304

5

2

Y

CH301C

5

1

Y

BI308

5

2

Y

CH314

5

1

Y

CH323

5

2

Y

CH331

5

2

Y

Year 4

CH4PSM - Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Pharmaceutical Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH405C

5

2

Y

CH415

10

Year-Long

Y

CH427

5

2

Y

CH408C

5

2

Y

CH432

5

2

Y

BI436

5

2

Y

CH413C

5

2

Y

CH435

20

1

Y

After Graduation

The pharma-chemical industry in Ireland employs more than 26,000 people and produces over €100bn in annual exports.

  • Chemists work in a wide range of areas including:
    • pharmaceutical companies
    • biotechnology companies
    • cosmetics
    • medical devices firms
    • agricultural, food and drinks sector
  • Some of the roles our graduates have progressed into include:
    • laboratory-based quality control
    • research and development
    • manufacture support
    • regulatory positions

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 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 Chemistry
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/chemistry

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