Program Overview

Biomedical Sciences is in the premier league of universities with “100% of our research environment judged to be world-leading, 95% of our impact judged to be world leading or internationally excellent and 81% of our research papers judged to be world leading or internationally excellent in UK Research Excellence Framework 2014. We are ranked among the top five universities in the UK in terms of research power in biomedical science. We were also ranked in the top 5 UK universities to study biomedical science in 2019. Through exposure to an internationally recognized research environment with state-of-the-art facilities, students have the chance to gain unique insights into cutting-edge research and how this contributes to knowledge and understanding of health and disease. IT Sligo is the leading higher-education institute in Ireland in the development and delivery of online educational programmes. In 2012, IT Sligo was granted a ‘Taoiseach’s Public Service Excellence Award’ for its achievements in promoting online learning for both fulltime and part-time students. The School of Science is foremost in IT Sligo’s distance learning achievements, with more than 500 online science students. The School of Science has access to state-of-the-art facilities, and offers online training programmes and degrees to Irish-based multi-nationals such as Merck, Eli-Lilly, Elanco and Pfizer in areas such as biopharmaceutical processing, analytical chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

Attendance

Normally 4 years, over 9 semesters. This programme is fully online. However, students must attend laboratory practicals at Sligo in Years 1 (2 days), 2 (2 days) and 3 (1 day) and in Year 3 (2 days) at Coleraine or in the work place for those students with work-based access to appropriate laboratory facilities.

Start dates

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Students will participate in an induction on how to be an effective online learner and how to use the Moodle and Blackboard Learn virtual learning environment. This will include an optional induction day at IT Sligo, prior to commencement of the course, and continue with online support over the first two weeks of teaching. Subject specific tutors support students to engage in a range of teaching and learning methods. Student participate in Moodle and Blackboard Learn posted online lectures, many of which are inclusive of problem based interactive tasks. Through the Institute’s and University’s online libraries, students gain access to their directed reading, in the form of e-books and journal articles. Students participate in tutor supported online activities and discussions, and in online self-assessment quizzes. Students studying the Science Laboratory Skills 1, Biomedical Science Laboratory Skills 1 & 2, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Formulation Fill Finish & Delivery Biopharmaceutical and Biocontamination Monitoring and Control modules are required to carry out a number of laboratory practical sessions. This means attendance by students at the state-of-art-facilities at IT Sligo in Year 1 (2 days), Year 2 (2 days) and Year 3 (1 day). If a student works in, or has access to approved training laboratories in the NHS/HSE or equivalent, then the Molecular Biology and Genetics practical sessions can be carried out at his or her place of work. Otherwise, a student must attend Coleraine in Year 3 (2 days before the 1 day at Sligo) for practical sessions.

Students will be assessed by a combination of Coursework and Examinations. Students undertake traditional written examinations, either at the campuses of IT Sligo or Coleraine or in their locality through the "Proctoring system" for IT Sligo delivered modules and the “Guarantor system” for Ulster University delivered modules. If a student opts to take his or her IT Sligo examinations via the "Proctoring system", which enables online examination administration within the home environment, then there is a small fee per exam. If a student opts to take his or her Ulster University examinations via the “Guarantor system” then he or she must nominate a line manager or professional to administer his or her exams under Ulster University specified conditions. Coursework includes essays, tests, critical reviews, plans, reflective statements, practical reports, journal based learning, case study reports, problem solving/data interpretation, and research papers.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.