Expand+Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of O3 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of O3 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Applied Mathematics

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certific...

Hide-Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of O3 or H6 in Mathematics and minimum of O3 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Applied Mathematics

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must include the subjects Mathematics AND either English or Irish.

Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level.

This subject will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:

BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
BA in Contemporary Culture and Society
BSc in Education and Training
BA in Journalism
BA in International Relations
BA in Communication Studies
BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht (Irish and Journalism)
Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society)
BSc in Multimedia
Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored.

The following six groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B

2 Economics, Agricultural Economics

3 Physics with Chemistry – if combined with Physics and Chemistry, only two best scored – if combined with Physics or Chemistry, only best scored

4 History, Economics and Economic History – if all three are taken, only the best two will be scored

5 Latin, Classical Studies

6 Greek, Classical Studies

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded in 2017 for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Expand+Applicants who have a full FETAC Level 5 award in the appropriate qualifications and modules, with a minimum of five distinctions, can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses. There are a limited number of places available on course...

Hide-Applicants who have a full FETAC Level 5 award in the appropriate qualifications and modules, with a minimum of five distinctions, can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses. There are a limited number of places available on courses.

FETAC has made changes to the CAS (Common Awards System). Please refer to the DCU website for specific details on the range of FETAC awards which link into the university’s Level 8 degree courses.

General Entry Requirements

• Full FETAC Level 5 Certification must be achieved in one single sitting.

• FETAC awards are normally made up of eight minor awards, commonly known as modules.

• Five distinctions from the eight modules must be achieved.

Course Entry Requirements
Additional course requirements are indicated in the details of each course in this prospectus. This requires the attainment of performance in specifically named FETAC Level 5 awards and in some cases, the inclusion of specific modules. For example, for the BSc in Education and Training, students must attain the full FETAC Level 5 award with distinctions in five modules, but three of the distinctions must be in modules that DCU specifies. Please visit www.cao.ie/ index.php?page=fetac_search for the most up-to-date information on course requirements.

Applying to DCU

Candidates make their application to DCU through the CAO and are ranked based on their performance in the eight modules that make up their award. From 2017 the points awarded for FETAC awards will be revised.

Please visit www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf for scoring information.

Please note
1 A Major Award must be achieved. Component Certificates or Records of Achievement are not acceptable.

2 In certain courses, DCU will require the achievement of certain grades and/or specified components, e.g. five distinctions, including a minimum pass in Mathematics, or four specific science modules.

3 A Major Award may be achieved over a number of sittings; however, for scoring purposes, only results achieved in a single sitting, e.g. between 1st August and 31st July are assessed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their FETAC centre applies for a Major Award to FETAC where courses are taken over more than one year.

Expand+EU/EEA and Non-EU
DCU has an active mature student body and strongly encourages applications from mature candidates (those aged 23 years or above on 1st January in the year of entry). As a mature student, your wealth of knowledge and experience wi...

Hide-EU/EEA and Non-EU
DCU has an active mature student body and strongly encourages applications from mature candidates (those aged 23 years or above on 1st January in the year of entry). As a mature student, your wealth of knowledge and experience will make a valuable contribution to the university, and we are always working towards widening participation to allow mature students gain entry onto DCU courses.

What are the entry requirements?
Applying as a mature applicant means that you do not compete with Leaving Certificate students for places at DCU. Instead, experience other than examination grades is taken into consideration – this may be work experience, further studies or other relevant experience. For some courses, however, particular Leaving Certificate subjects may be necessary. In all cases, the university will want to know that you have the ability and motivation to make the most of your studies at DCU.

What supports are available for mature students?
There is a wide network of services. The Mature Student Academic Writing Week prepares you for college life through workshops on topics such as academic writing, citing and referencing. Other topics include supports for students at DCU, such as the Mathematics Learning Centre, IT supports and the Mature Student Society. You will also have access to Student Support and Development workshops throughout the academic year for example CV Clinics, Learning Students and Motivational Workshops.

What financial supports are available to mature students?
There are a number of sources, including the Government’s Free Fees Initiative, the Higher Education Grants Scheme, the Back to Education Allowance and the DCU Student Assistance Fund, once a registered DCU student. Information on these schemes is available at www.studentfinance.ie.

Where can I find out more?
For the Mature Student Officer, please contact 01 700 6987. For general and admission enquiries, please contact the Registry on T +353 (0)1 700 5338 E registry@dcu.ie

How do I apply?
All mature applicants for full-time study must apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February in the year of entry.

Expand+There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students ...

Hide-There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities/specific learning difficulties and transfer students. The university is committed to welcoming students from countries worldwide. For Undergraduate Admissions - General Information please go to: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/undergrad.shtml

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Why DCU?
• Highly qualified and internationally recognised staff who are enthusiastic and accessible.

• Classes exclusive to physics students means more personal attention.

• Hospital placements and scholarship opportunities.

• Graduates ...

Hide-Why DCU?
• Highly qualified and internationally recognised staff who are enthusiastic and accessible.

• Classes exclusive to physics students means more personal attention.

• Hospital placements and scholarship opportunities.

• Graduates ideally prepared for careers in the rapidly changing biomedical and health sectors or for further studies in physics, medical physics or biophysics.

Understanding Physics with Biomedical Sciences
Physics is the most fundamental of all the sciences and has fuelled most of the scientific and technological developments that we take for granted today. Since the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen in 1895, a number of the major discoveries of the 20th century have played a fundamental role in advancing medicine and medical instruments. Think of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, radiotherapy treatment or laser eye surgery to realise how familiar we are with medical applications of physics!

Today, the most recent scientific developments in information and communication technologies (ICT), nanotechnology, optics or biotechnology have also become key aspects in the field of medical physics, pushing it into new directions and enabling further progress in medicine and healthcare.

This course has been designed to provide a solid background in physics and in the principles which underpin the chemical, biological and life sciences, and an understanding of the most recent developments in the area, such as nanosystem design or ultrafast molecular switching. It is ideally suited to the needs of students who intend to pursue a career in physics and technology related to medical research, clinical services or biomedical industries.

About You
If you wish to combine a strong interest in physics and other sciences applied to healthcare and medicine, then Physics with Biomedical Sciences is for you!

Course Structure
This four-year course combines lectures, tutorials and modern laboratory work with fundamental physics concepts and exciting, real-life technological skills and applications in the biomedical area. This will develop your analytical and problem-solving skills.

In Years One and Two, you will study the basic foundations of physics and the fundamentals of chemistry, cell biology, anatomy and physiology. In Years Three and Four, you will study a selection of more advanced physics topics, such as Quantum Mechanics or Laser Physics, that underpin applications in the biomedical sciences. Application courses at the interface between the physical and life sciences such as Biomechanics of Human Movement, will also be offered. In Year Four, expert academic staff will teach medical physics subjects such as Medical Imaging or Medical Applications of Lasers.

Throughout your course, you will be working in a custom-designed physics building equipped with state-of-the-art undergraduate and research laboratories. Seminars by eminent DCU researchers and visits to internationally renowned biomedical research institutes will also be important parts of the course.

In Year Three, INTRA will be an important opportunity to work for an extended period (typically eight months) in a hospital and experience the real medical environment. INTRA placements in private companies with business interests in medical/biological instrumentation, biotechnological applications or optical medical diagnostic applications, for example, will also be possible.

Your Year Four project is a real opportunity to conduct research in one of our world-class research laboratories, in which you will experience the excitement and personal achievement associated with scientific research.

On several occasions, final-year physics students have received national and international awards from the Undergraduate Awards, the Institute of Physics and the International Society of Automation on the basis of their project work.

Expand+What Will I Study?

Year One
Calculus
Computing
Programming
Thermal and Physical Properties of Matter
Electricity and Magnetism
Motion and Energy
Light and Optics
Anatomy
Chemistry for Health Related Professions
Physics Laborator...

Hide-What Will I Study?

Year One
Calculus
Computing
Programming
Thermal and Physical Properties of Matter
Electricity and Magnetism
Motion and Energy
Light and Optics
Anatomy
Chemistry for Health Related Professions
Physics Laboratory

Year Two
Digital and Analogue Electronics
Electromagnetism
Quantum Physics
Physics Laboratory
Calculus
Linear Mathematics
Physiology
Biomechanics of Human Movement
Vibrations and Waves
Solid State Physics

Year Two Options
Programming
Advanced Programming

Year Three
Physics Laboratory
INTRA
Statistical Physics
Wave Optics
Quantum Physics 2
Relativity, Nuclear and Particle Physics
Introduction to Differential Equations

Year Four
Advanced Biomaterials and Processing Technology
Image Processing and Analysis
Quantum Electronics
Applied Spectroscopy
Microfluidics
Physics of Medical Diagnostics
Project

Year Four Options
Materials Growth and Characterisation
Plasma Science and Technology
Digital Signal Processing
nonlinear Dynamics and Modelling

Expand+International Students
As a non-native English speaker who does not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible to apply to the International Foundation Certificate (IFC) course. This course will help you to achieve the English lang...

Hide-International Students
As a non-native English speaker who does not meet the English language requirements, you may be eligible to apply to the International Foundation Certificate (IFC) course. This course will help you to achieve the English language requirements necessary for entry into this course. It will also help you to adjust to the culture of Irish university learning. See page 124 of the college prospectus 2017 for full details of the IFC course.

Additional Information
Further specialised training in medical physics will allow you to obtain the qualification of Hospital Physicist.