Chemical Sciences General Entry
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Chemistry is the key to understanding the world we live in. Chemical science unlocks the secrets to many challenges facing us, for example, understanding and developing pharmaceuticals that enable us to create treatments for diseases and thus changing people's lives.
If this type of Science appeals to you, then our Chemical Sciences General Entry programme is for you. Chemistry holds the key to our future, continuously developing new cures while creating possibilities for a greener, more sustainable future. With our Chemical Sciences General Entry option which includes lots of innovative hands-on laboratory work in our modern laboratories, you can be a part of this future.
This course introduces you to the fascinating world of chemical sciences, allowing you to experience a wide array of topics before specialising in:
- 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)
While progression into year two of these programmes is availble to all Chemistry General Entry students, where places are limited year two programme places will be assigned to students, based on their year one grades by merit order. All students who successfully complete year one will be offered one of their year two programme choices.
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.
The Chemical Sciences General Entry programme will provide you with the opportunity to study different types of chemistry, so that you can discover which aspects of chemistry inspire you most before choosing your degree specialism.
The programme ensures you will gain excellent hands-on laboratory experience in our award winning undergraduate laboratories (Education lab of the Year-Irish Laboratory Award). Small student groups within the laboratory assisted by a fully trained laboratory Tutors helps to ensure an excellent student-centred laboratory learning experience for each student.·
You will have the opportunity to study dynamic and interesting Chemistry topics and some Biology focused modules before you select your preferred degree programme and the end of year one. Topics include drug design, analytical techniques as applied to industry and forensics, environmental chemistry and biomolecules
Upon successful completion of year one the degree choices are:
- BSc in Analytical Science, or
- 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.)
The dynamic range of labwork you will conduct ensures you will develop your problem solving skills while conducting innovative experiments that reflect the needs of the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and broader Chemical industry.
For more information and an overview of our courses here in the School of Chemical Sciences visit our undergraduate course presentation pages.
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.
Choosing Chemistry in DCU gave me the all skills and opportunities to have a wonderfully diverse career, working in a wide range of roles, from research, through technical, to my current role as a Forensic Scientist
Sarah Martyn, Analytical Science Graduate and PhD Graduate. Forensics Science Ireland, Garda Headquarters, Dublin
Graduates will have the opportunity to work in a number of industries, including:
- Food and drinks,
- Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals,
- Forensics,
- Advanced manufacturing.
Our graduates work in research and development laboratories,
- Discovering new drugs,
- Developing vaccines,
- Ensuring medicines are safe.
Our graduates support our environment,
- Reducing waste,
- Creating greener technologies.
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
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, Physics with Chemistry, Biology or Agricultural Science
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.