Science - Biological Sciences - Common Entry - Cork
The common biological sciences honours entry scheme is a two-year programme designed for students interested in biological sciences as a career, but who may be unsure of which discipline to follow. The scheme gives students the opportunity to see the three disciplines, first-hand, through the various modules on offer, interaction with lecturers, and industrial site visits. This allows the student to make an informed decision on their discipline of study.
| 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 (8 semesters).
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
English or Irish Grade O6/H7
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
Career Opportunities
Agri-Biosciences: research scientist; laboratory technician; animal feed production; diagnostic testing; quality control analyst; animal and crop breeding; research and development.
Nutrition and Health Science: research scientist in food and related healthcare industries; new product development, production and marketing in food and related healthcare industries; food safety and food regulation in food industry and governmental agencies; nutrition communication in food information organisations; quality assurance.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: quality control analyst; microbiologist; bio-assay specialist; technical/process specialist; research and development.
Further information
40
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
Overview
The common biological science honours entry scheme is a two year programme designed for students interested in biological sciences as a career, but who may be unsure of which discipline to follow.
The scheme gives students the opportunity to see the three disciplines, first hand, through the various modules on offer, interaction with lecturers, and industrial site visits. This allows the student to make an informed decision on their discipline of study.
On successful completion of year 2, students can enter the third year of any of the following honours biological science degrees:
• MT 873 BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• MT 876 BSc (Honours) in Nutrition and Health Science
• MT 879 BSc (Honours) in Agri-Biosciences
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Graduates will be able to grow and engineer biological cells in order to make safe and effective medicines using the most up-to-date information and technologies available.
Nutrition and Health Science Graduates will be able to apply their understanding of human nutrition and its role in health and disease to various sectors of the food and health industry, and identify and address nutrition-related problems in individuals and populations.
Agri-Biosciences Graduates will be able to apply knowledge of the role of biotechnology in agri-food and animal sciences to support and develop technologies (e.g. health, reproduction and diagnostics) for the improvement of global agri-food production systems.
First Year at a Glance:
As well as learning the main core science subjects in first year, students will be exposed to the following:
• Evaluating the role of food in health, wellness, and nutrition space
• Making biological medicines: learn the basics of how cells can be used to make modern medicines
• Understanding the role of microbiology, physiology and biotechnology in the agri-food sector
• Perform experimental laboratory procedures
Dr Lorraine Enderson
T: +353 (0)21 432 6188
E: Lorraine.enderson@mtu.ie