Microbiology, BSc (Hons), University College Cork (UCC)

About Microbiology, BSc (Hons) - at University College Cork (UCC)

Overview

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms including fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoa. These microbes are crucially important in medicine, biology, agriculture, biotechnology and the environment.

Microbes are beneficial in process such as food production, promoting human health, biotechnology, agriculture and waste treatment. Conversely, some are responsible for causing disease in humans and animals or in causing food spoilage and crop loss in agriculture.

As one of the classical disciplines, microbiology combines fundamental biology with applications and thus provides excellent training and opportunities for students interested in different aspects of science.

The microbiology course at UCC is varied and broad but has a special focus on our areas of particular strength, namely, medical, food and environmental microbiology.

Many modern scientific disciplines such as genetic engineering, genomics, microbial biotechnology, immunology and molecular biology originated from classical microbiology and form an integral part of our modern microbiology degree.

Course Details

The entry route to the BSc in Microbiology at UCC is through the generalBiological and Chemical Sciencesentry. At the end of the degree, you will have a broad knowledge of microbiology, specialised knowledge of aspects that interest you, and a skill set of knowledge acquisition, practical techniques and problem solving ability that will equip you for your future career.

Year 1
Comprises core modules in the four main branches of science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths. Biology (four modules), includes Microbiology, Plant Science, Biochemistry and Zoology.

Year 2
You will start to specialise but will still be able to choose modules that leave you with three or more degree choices at the end of the year.

If you plan to pursue a biological sciences degree you can take some core modules in molecular biology and statistics and then choose additional modules according to your interests.

For BSc Microbiology, you will take a dedicated course in microbiology that provides a foundation for all aspects of the discipline, as well as modules in biochemistry. You can then choose some elective courses from Zoology, Ecology, Anatomy, Physiology and Neuroscience.

Year 3
You will commit to your degree of choice. In Microbiology you will take a dedicated course of lecture and practical modules that provide a broad training in molecular, food, environmental and medical microbiology.

Year 4
You will take some obligatory courses and can also choose elective modules from the different branches of microbiology. This enables you to tailor your final degree to your interests and ambitions. An independent, supervised research project is an important aspect of the final year (25%).

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modulesfor a more detailed description of programme modules.

Fact File

Course Code: CK402

Course Title: Microbiology

College: Science, Engineering and Food Science

Duration: 4 years

Teaching Mode: Full-time

Qualifications: BSc (Hons)

NFQ Level: Level 8

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.Lab Manuals / Lecture hand-outs: costs vary from year 1 through to year 4 but on average cost about EUR 15 per year. Textbooks: students typically spend EUR 50 - EUR 100 per year on books.

2017 Entry Requirements: H5 in two subjects, and O6 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, Mathematics, one Laboratory Science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and two other subjects recognised for entry purposes. At least a H4 must be obtained in the Laboratory Science subject or Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

Entry Points: 2016: 480. Points vary from year to year.

Course Practicalities

Expected lecture hours:Lectures and practicals are conducted between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. You will have 288 lecture hours per year and these may include directed study/reading hours depending on the module.

Expected lab/practical hours:Your laboratory practical/tutorial hours will amount to approximately 216 per year. In Year 4, you will also complete a 10-week lab-based research project on a topic in the area of Microbiology, performed under the supervision of a member of staff. The project aims to enhance your laboratory skills and critical abilities in identifying, analysing and solving problems in scientific research and to develop your skills in communicating your results.

Assessment

Written exams will take place before Christmas and in May. Not all modules will have formal examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment.

Modules that contain practical components also assess this aspect by reviewing laboratory reports. Some year 3 and year 4 modules include assignments, dissertations and reports as part of the assessment methodology. The final year project is assessed by a combination of laboratory performance, written report and oral presentation.

Application Procedure

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants: Application is made through theCAOand the closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Further Contact Information

[email protected]

+353 (0)21 490 2392

Notes about fees for this course

Costs: Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees. The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2016/17 the Student Contribution Charge will be EUR 3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be EUR 165.Lab Manuals / Lecture hand-outs: costs vary from year 1 through to year 4 but on average cost about EUR 15 per year. Textbooks: students typically spend EUR 50 - EUR 100 per year on books.

2017 Entry Requirements: H5 in two subjects, and O6 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, Mathematics, one Laboratory Science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and two other subjects recognised for entry purposes. At least a H4 must be obtained in the Laboratory Science subject or Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

Entry Points: 2016: 480. Points vary from year to year.

Entry requirements for this course

Contact University College Cork (UCC) to find course entry requirements.

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