Science - Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences
Our BSc in Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) is the foundation year for different degree outlets in the School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences. The BEES programme provides you with a unique opportunity to explore the environmental challenges of our times. This interdisciplinary programme spans the biological, earth and environmental sciences.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7 or H4*
Lab Science O6/H7 or H4*
Note
H4 in either a Lab Science subject, Maths or Applied Maths or Computer Science*
* If the H4 is in Maths, Applied Maths or Computer Science an 06/H7 in a Lab Science subject is also required.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Graduate Study Options
For further information on further study options from each area of study, please see the information for the relevant degree programme.
Career Opportunities
For further information on career opportunities from each area of study, please see the information for the relevant degree programme.
Further information
Approximate Available Places 12
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 112
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 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 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 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. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
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, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University 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 five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
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 2024 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
Course Outline
Our BSc in Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) is the foundation year for different degree outlets in the School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences. The BEES programme provides you with a unique opportunity to explore the environmental challenges of our times. This interdisciplinary programme spans the biological, earth and environmental sciences.
This programme is the pathway to a distinct degree. Following completion of first year, you choose your preferred degree pathway from the following options:
BSc Applied Plant Biology
BSc Ecology and Environmental Biology
BSc Environmental Science
BSc Geoscience
BSc Zoology
Year 1 Modules
In Year 1 you will take 60 credits from a variety of subjects across the biological, earth and environmental sciences as follows:
BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics & Evolution (5 credits)
BL1004 Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits)
BL1006 Habitats and Ecosystems (5 credits)
BL1009 Grand Challenges in Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (5 credits)
CM1003 Introductory Chemistry for Environmental Scientists (10 credits)
EV1002 The Environment (5 credits)
GL1001 Introduction to Geology (5 credits)
GL1004 Geological Evolution of Ireland (5 credits)
GG1010 Introduction to Physical Geography (5 credits)
MA1001 Calculus for Science Part I (5 credits)
PY1009 Physics for the Environmental Sciences I (5 credits)
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Work Placement
A work-experience module is available in fourth year in each of the degree streams. This enables you to spend 6-10 weeks in a structured working environment, where you are evaluated both on your contribution to the placement institution and on a report of your experience. Under the guidance of a module co-ordinator, students organise their own placement and marks are included in final year results.
Study Abroad
The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences operates an exchange system with North American and European universities which allows students to substitute a year abroad for Year 3 in UCC.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue (https://ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com/programmes/) 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 (https://ucc-ie-public.courseleaf.com/modules/)
Dr Barbara Doyle Prestwich
bees@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 4650
http://bees.ucc.ie
Mary McSweeney
m.mcsweeney@ucc.ie