Science - Biomedical Science - Offered jointly by MTU Cork & UCC
Biomedical science is the term for the investigations carried out by medical scientists on samples of tissue and body fluids to diagnose disease and monitor the treatment of patients. Medical scientists work in partnership with doctors and other healthcare professionals to perform many different roles in medical laboratories. Biomedical science is a continually changing dynamic profession and involves study of the diverse areas of medical science including biochemistry, microbiology, cellular pathology, haematology and transfusion science. It provides training in state-of-the-art technologies to facilitate investigation of disease and medical research.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Munster Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Munster Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Score the necessary CAO points and meet Leaving Certificate Minimum entry requirements
6 Subjects
Subjects O6/H7 4
Subjects H5 2
Maths Grade 06/H7
Both Irish and English O6/H7 (Ref. 1)
Science Grade H4 (Ref. 2)
Ref. 2: A H4 must be obtained in a Laboratory Science Subject (from Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Physics & Chemistry (joint)).
Ref. 1: Irish is a requirement for this programme unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements may be satisfied by the results of more than one Leaving Certificate. The minimum entry requirements may be varied for non-standard applicants and holders of QQI-FET awards.
2nd Chance Maths Exam
Some students who apply for MTU courses may not achieve the required entry standard in Maths through the Leaving Certificate examination. For such applicants, the University offers a second chance to reach the required entry standard through a MTU Maths Exam.
This second chance facility allows applicants (depending on their results in the MTU Maths Exam) to gain entry to courses with an Ordinary Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard and (with a higher level of performance) courses with a Higher Leaving Certificate Maths entry standard.
Common Bonus Points Scale for Higher Level Maths
A bonus of 25 points is awarded to applicants who achieve a grade H6 or above in higher level (HL) Maths.
Formula:
All students presenting H6 or above in HL Maths will have 25 points added to their score for Maths.
The six highest subject points scores will then be counted to achieve a cumulative points score, as is normal practice. The bonus points will only be relevant in cases where the subject HL mathematics (including bonus points) is scored as one of the candidate’s six best subjects for points purposes. Consequently, if HL mathematics (cumulative points score) is not among these six subjects, the bonus points will not be included in the total points score. Bonus points will be awarded irrespective of the year in which the examinations were taken.
Foundation Maths
A minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths fulfils the minimum entry requirements in Maths for the following programmes
MT 541 Bachelor of Business
MT 571 BA in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 574 BA in Social Care
MT 654 HC in Arts in Hospitality Studies
MT 655 HC in Arts in Culinary Studies
MT 941 Bachelor of Business (Honours)
MT 971 BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care
MT 974 BA (Honours) in Social Care
Maths is not required for entry to:
MT 575 BA in Community Development
MT 572 BA in Early Childhood Education & Care
MT 820 BA (Honours) in Contemporary Applied Art (Ceramics, Glass, Textiles)
MT 821 BA (Honours) in Fine Art
MT 822 BA (Honours) in Photography with New Media
MT 823 BA (Honours) in Visual Communications
MT 931 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Guitar
MT 932 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Electric Bass Guitar
MT 933 BA (Honours) on Poplular Music - Keyboards
MT 934 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Drums
MT 935 BA (Honours) in Popular Music - Voice
MT 936 BA (Honours) in Music
MT 938 BA (Honours) in Musical Theatre
MT 939 BA (Honours in Theatre and Drama Studies
Although not a requirement, if an applicant achieves a minimum grade of F2 in foundation level Maths this grade is recognised for entry and CAO points are awarded as follows: F1 = 20 points, F2 = 12 points.
Full details of minimum entry requirements for courses are outlined in the relevant course webpage. Applicants are advised to check the relevant subjects, tests, portfolios, and dates very carefully. In particular, there are early assessment procedures for some courses.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Holders of the LCVP apply in the normal way through the CAO. Points are awarded on the same basis as for the Leaving Certificate. The link modules ‘subject’ may not be used to meet the minimum entry requirements.
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The LCA subjects do not meet the minimum requirements for entry to MTU full-time courses. Holders of Leaving Certificate Applied qualifications may wish to proceed to a FET-QQI course and in turn apply to third level on the basis of their FET-QQI award.
Careers / Further progression
Biomedical science prepares the student for a career in laboratory medicine and related areas in the health-care industry and biopharmaceutical industry. Biomedical science graduates work as medical scientists in hospitals, and in research, the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, public health and sales and marketing of medical products.
Medical scientist in Irish Hospitals (BSc (Hons) and Diploma required)
Biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries (BSc (Hons) only required)
Public health (BSc (Hons) only required)
Sales and marketing of medical products (BSc (Hons) only required)
Further Studies
Suitably qualified graduates are eligible to apply for a postgraduate degree
MSc (by Research)
PhD
Further information
30
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Work Placement
Work placement is not an integral part of this four year degree programme. Upon completion of the BSc (Hons) programme the graduates may progress to the Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Practice. This diploma is optional and takes one academic year to complete. It is important to note that the combination of the joint MTU-UCC BSc (Honours) in Biomedical Science and the MTU Diploma in Clinical Laboratory Practice are CORU approved (Irish State Regulator for Health Care Professionals) and that both are required to practice as a medical scientist in Ireland.
As well as learning the main core science subjects in first year, students will also be exposed to the following disciplines:
Clinical Biochemistry: study of the chemical profiles of body fluids in normal and diseased states
Haematology: study of blood cells in the normal and diseased individual
Histology/Histopathology: study of cells and cellular arrangement in normal and cancerous tissue
Diagnostic Microbiology: study of microorganisms encountered in infectious diseases
Transfusion Science: the science relating to transfusing fluid (i.e. blood) into a vein or artery
Health Science: introduction to a selection of “hot topics” relating to health
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Dr Fiona O'Halloran
T: +353 (0)21 433 5916
Email: fiona.ohalloran@mtu.ie