Analytical Science
Our information-oriented society values the detection and measurement of analytical science now more than ever. We see, use and benefit from it every day, from the tests performed to check the purity of medicines, to the daily monitoring of industrial wastes, to analysis in the forensic laboratory.
The BSc in Analytical Science employs an interdisciplinary approach, educating you in both theoretical and practical aspects of chemical, biochemical and microbiological analysis. The ever increasing demand for more detailed and accurate data from within these disciplines means that your services, as a trained analytical scientist, will be in constant demand.
To apply choose DC161 on your CAO application or alternatively apply for our BSc in Chemical Sciences General Entry (DC163) and at the end of year one you will have the option to progress to your choice of:
- BSc in Analytical Science
- 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)
To hear more about the School of Chemical Sciences listen to Prof Silvia Giordani (Head of School and Chair of Nanomaterials) in this short video. You can see a showcase of her work designing nano-sized chemotherapies in this edition of Nature.
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.
View the current course structure
For more information on every aspect of studying at DCU visit our CAO Hub where you can listen to taster lectures, hear from our student ambassadors and find answers to frequently asked questions.
We have a unique and vibrant culture on our modern campus close to Dublin city centre. We provide state-of-the-art study facilities for all our courses and everything else you need for a healthy, fun and active student life.
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
DCU student facilities boast a fully equipped sports complex with a 25-metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
Our purpose built, state-of-the-art new student centre known as 'The U' serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500. It is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
DCU Students' Union and the Office of Student Life are also based in the U. The centre is a space for students where they can meet, with lots of charging points and isolation booths. Clubs and socs avail of meeting rooms here and it's also home to DCUFM. NuBar, Londis and the Venue are also located here.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
Even as a teenager…I had an interest in forensic science…But without a dedicated course in Ireland at the time, I began to doubt this career option. However, I then discovered that the BSc in Analytical Science in DCU covered so many aspects needed for forensics. I decided that this would be the best choice for me to kickstart my career into forensics. During the four-year degree course, the emphasis was always on helping us to develop as scientists, to be problem solvers and to be competent in a wide range of laboratory techniques…the knowledge and experience DCU has provided…has been an important enabler to fulfilling a life-long ambition.
Paula Clarke, Drugs Section of the Forensic Science Laboratory at Garda Headquarters
You will be highly sought after by many of Ireland’s leading companies and public service providers. Past graduates have gained a variety of positions within Ireland’s growing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry – in areas such as quality control, product research and development and testing. Other opportunities include manufacturing industries looking for graduates with strong analytical skills, such as in brewing, agricultural fertiliser production and fine chemicals production. Graduates have also obtained positions within government agencies involved with environmental monitoring or food quality testing and research. In addition to these, a large number of graduates also choose to undertake postgraduate research.
This course is also suitable for those who ultimately wish to pursue a career in teaching (see www.teachingcouncil.ie for further details).
Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
Minimum of O3 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of O3 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry, Agricultural Science or Computer Science.
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE B Mathematics and GCE A Level D or GCE AS Level C or GCSE B in one of Physics, Chemistry , Biology or Agricultural Science
GCE A Level general entry requirements can be found here: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/entry.shtml. Please note these may vary slightly for some programmes
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
Holders of Higher Certificate/National Certificates or Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree/National Diplomas with Merit or Distinction may be admitted into second year if the relevant Programme Boards are satisfied that the candidate has achieved an appropriate standard in the major subjects covered in Year One. Direct entry into third year is possible for well-motivated students holding a distinction at Diploma level in a related discipline. Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 1st Feb to the 1st May 2022.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.