Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Galway is a four-year program that offers students the flexibility to choose their specialism as they study. With a wide range of appealing scientific subjects, students are attracted to this course because of its unique approach to learning.

Why Choose This Course?

• Unique course: Students can explore introductory modules in year one and then specialize in their chosen subject area.
• Practical training: Students are embedded in a supportive environment with access to specialized facilities.
• Employability: The program teaches key core and transferable skills that open the way to a career in a wide range of scientific occupations.

Course Information

The GY301 Bachelor of Science degree allows students to take a variety of subjects in Science before deciding which scientific area to specialize in for their four-year honours degree. It is the ideal choice for students who want flexibility in discovering their unique scientific interests.

What Will I Study?

• The program provides a solid foundation in Science subjects in the first year, with introductory module offerings in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, or Mathematical Studies, Applied Mathematics, and Computing.
• Students choose four first-year modules, and all modules are available to each student, whether they have studied a similar subject at second level or are trying it for the first time.
• In year two, students can choose from a wide range of different specialties, referred to as pathways, which are collections of complementary modules designed to provide a comprehensive study path and graduate skills in that subject area.

Subject Areas

• Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Plant and AgriBiosciences
• Botany and Plant Science
• Zoology
• Earth and Ocean Sciences
• Physics and Climate Physics
• Physics and Applied Physics
• Mathematics
• Applied Mathematics
• Computing
• Data Science
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pharmacology

Curriculum

Curriculum Information

• Curriculum information relates to the current academic year and may be subject to change.
• The Bachelor of Science degree is designed to develop students' proficiency in scientific knowledge while fostering critical thinking.

Glossary of Terms

• Credits: Students must earn a defined number of credits to complete each year of their course.
• Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course.
• Subject: Some courses allow students to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together.
• Optional: A module that students may choose to study.
• Required: A module that students must study if they choose this course.
• Required Core Subject: A subject that students must study because it's integral to that course.
• Semester: Most courses have two semesters per year.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

• Optional modules:
  • BO101: Biology
  • MA161: Mathematical Studies
  • MA180: Mathematics (Honours)
  • PH101: Physics
  • CH101: Chemistry
  • MP180: Applied Mathematics
  • CS102: Computer Science

Year 2 (60 Credits)

• Optional modules:
  • CH2101: Medicinal Chemistry
  • GR353: German
  • GR252: German
  • GR224: Beginner's German for Science
  • BO2101: Scientific Writing Skills
  • MI202: Laboratory Skills in Microbiology I
  • BPS202: Fundamentals in Aquatic Plant Science
  • PM209: Applied Concepts in Pharmacology
  • PM208: Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology
  • CT2101: Object Oriented Programming I
  • LN2210: Scileanna Gaeilge don Eolaíocht 1
  • EOS213: Introduction to Ocean Science
  • MA2286: Differential Forms
  • AN2101: Cells and Tissues
  • BO201: Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • BI208: Protein Structure and Function
  • MP236: Mechanics I
  • MP231: Mathematical Methods I
  • BO202: Evolution and the Tree of Life
  • CH203: Physical Chemistry
  • MA284: Discrete Mathematics
  • MA211: Calculus I
  • MA215: Mathematical Molecular Biology I
  • CH204: Inorganic Chemistry
  • CS2101: Programming for Science and Finance
  • ST1111: Probability Models
  • ST2001: Statistics for Data Science 1
  • BSS2103: Introduction to Sustainability 1
  • MG3113: Megatrends
  • PS3108: Design Thinking
  • ED2103: Design Your Life
  • ZO2101: Entomology
  • BI3103: Career Development and Employability Skills
  • SI2101: Introductory Physiology
  • PS3123: Exploring Routes to Wellbeing
  • PH2111: Makerspace Creative Technologies 1
  • PH2113: Energy, Forces and Motion in Physics
  • PH2114: Modern Physics
  • PH2108: Scaling Big Ideas
  • MG3117: Intercultural Encounters
  • MA1993: Mathematics Of Finance
  • CS211: Programming and Operating Systems
  • MI204: Microbes and the Environment
  • AN226: Systems Histology
  • MA283: Linear Algebra
  • CH202: Organic Chemistry
  • CT2102: Object Oriented Programming II
  • LN2211: Scileanna Gaeilge don Eolaíocht 2
  • PAB2101: AgriBiosciences
  • MA2287: Complex Analysis
  • MP237: Mechanics II
  • BI207: Metabolism and Cell Signalling
  • BI206: Gene Technologies and Molecular Medicine
  • FR252: French
  • MP232: Mathematical Methods II
  • ZO209: Vertebrate Zoology
  • ZO208: Invertebrate Biology
  • MI203: Laboratory Skills in Microbiology II
  • BPS203: Plant Diversity, Physiology & Adaptation
  • PM210: Molecular Pharmacology and Signalling
  • AN223: Embryology & Development
  • MA212: Calculus II
  • MA216: Mathematical Molecular Biology II
  • CH205: Analytical & Environmental Chemistry
  • EOS2102: The Earth: From Core to Crust
  • ST1112: Statistical Methods
  • ST2002: Statistics for Data Science 2
  • BSS2104: Introduction to Sustainability 2
  • MG3115: Megatrends
  • ED2104: Design Your Life Semester 2
  • SI2102: Systems Physiology
  • MA2104: Matamaitic don Inbhuanaitheacht (Mathematics for Sustainability)
  • SP3211: Empathy in Action
  • PH2112: Makerspace Creative Technologies 2
  • PH2115: Electricity and Magnetism
  • PH2116: Computational Physics

Unique Features

• Experience an informed journey, finding your feet in year one exploring introductory modules.
• Unique flexibility to choose subjects from year two and map your journey towards your specialism.
• Unrivalled range of appealing subjects in scientific fields.
• Your gateway to a world of opportunities in industry, academia, or continuing postgraduate studies.
• Innovative teaching by world-leading scientists providing a student experience in different environments.
• Galway's location offers unique possibilities for fieldwork and interaction with global medtech and data science industries.
• The opportunity of a semester of study abroad in Year 3 (on a competitive basis).
• Supports sustainability, embedded in the delivery of modules and within unique module offerings of sustainability focus.
• Unique final year projects supported by academic researchers, supervisors, and mentoring teams engaging you within the practical and research environment of your specialized subject.
• Supportive environment in learning and in the development of graduate skills.

Careers

The University of Galway is a research-intensive university, where teaching is inspired by global research impact. On completion of the degree, Bachelor of Science graduates will be equipped with the scientific knowledge and methods, creative problem-solving aptitude, and innovation ability required to foster lifelong critical thinking.

Study Abroad

Science students have a growing variety of international exchange opportunities, taking a semester of their study-path abroad, with partnerships in the USA, Hong Kong, and Erasmus to Europe. Students undertake exchanges in Year 3, eligibility subject to achieving a minimum merit requirement averaging across first and second-year studies.

Learning and Assessment

The Bachelor of Science degree is designed to develop students' proficiency in scientific knowledge while fostering critical thinking. Typically, engagement with each module will involve a mixture of lectures, support tutorials, and practical work, and usually assessed with a coursework element as well as an exam.

How Will I Learn?

1. Lectures: Guided through key learning outcomes of a module via presentation.
2. Technology-Enhanced Learning: Independent learning is fostered and guided by integration of tailored online tools.
3. Laboratory Work: Pathways offered in the program have a strong laboratory-based learning element embedded in the modules.
4. Field Skills: Students can develop skills and explore learning objectives in the context of environmental studies.

How Will I Be Assessed?

• Continuous Assessment: Regular coursework offers the benefit of receiving regular feedback on progress.
• Project Work: All pathways offer final-year students the opportunity to engage in a research project.
• Examinations: Written exams take place before Christmas and in May.

Entry Requirements and Fees

Entry Requirements

• Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate.
• Alternative Pathways: The Access Centre at the University of Galway provides a number of alternative entry routes to undergraduate programs.
• Other Qualifications: If you are a school leaver presenting results other than Leaving Cert results, please review the entry requirements relevant to you.

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

• EU Tuition: 4,768
• Student Contribution: 2,500
• Non-EU Tuition: 27,500
• Levy: 140
• Total Fee: 7,408 (EU), 27,640 (Non-EU)

Scholarships

The University of Galway is committed to attracting high-caliber students from around the world. To this end, we offer a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU, in line with our strategic international priorities.

Related Courses

• Bachelor of Science (Earth and Ocean Sciences)
• Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Biopharmaceutical Chemistry)
• Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Physics)
• Bachelor of Science (Occupational Health and Safety Management)
• Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)