Program Overview

Biochemistry: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Overview

Biochemistry is the study of the structure and function of the building blocks of life. Biochemists seek to provide mechanistic explanations for biological processes and ask questions about how things work, why they work, and what happens when they don’t. Biochemists have developed many of the key technologies used widely in biomedical sciences. Pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in biochemistry to develop new drugs for many pathological conditions.

Course Details

• Awards: (Moderatorship) B.A. Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)
• CAO Information: CAO Points 545 (2024), CAO Code TR060
• Duration: 4 Years Full-Time

Admission Requirements

• Leaving Certificate: H6 or O4 Mathematics, H4 in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Computer Science
• GCSE: Grade B/6 Mathematics
• Advanced GCE (A Level): Grade C in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Computer Science
• International Baccalaureate: SL Grade 5 Mathematics, HL Grade 5 in two of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Computer Science
• English Language Requirements: All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements.

Course Structure

• First and Second Years: Students take a range of modules in biology, chemistry, mathematics, as well as approved modules in other relevant areas.
• Third Year: Students study topics including protein structure and function, membrane and cell biology, nucleic acids, and research skills. They carry out individual and group project work and have an opportunity to study complementary modules in other areas of Biology and take Trinity Elective modules in non-science subjects.
• Fourth Year: Students study advanced modules in biochemistry that draw directly from the research ongoing in the school, including in the areas of neurobiology, parasitology, cancer biology, and metabolic diseases. They also undertake an individual Capstone research project, where they work alongside a Trinity professor in his/her research laboratory.

Research Areas

• Cancer biology
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Neurobiology
• Neurodegeneration
• Autoimmunity
• Immunometabolism
• Parasitology
• Protein structure
• Drug development

Career Opportunities

Biochemistry graduates work in hospitals, commercial laboratories dealing with analysis, biotechnology, food science, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostics. They also benefit from their training in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and presentation and communication skills, leading to careers not directly related to biochemistry such as communication, information systems, teaching, management, patent law, and journalism.

Graduate Skills

This degree equips students to work in all major aspects of biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology, with skills in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and presentation and communication.

Fees

For a full list of undergraduate fees, please refer to the official Trinity College Dublin website.

Study Abroad

The School of Biochemistry and Immunology participates in the Erasmus scheme, which offers the opportunity for students to spend their third year studying in a partner university.

Biological and Biomedical Sciences Programme

Biology is the study of life in all its complexity and diversity. In the Biological and Biomedical Sciences programme, students explore how life first arose; the properties that distinguish living organisms from inert matter; how living organisms function and how the vast diversity of life forms was generated; and how organisms reproduce themselves and how they interact both with each other and with the environment.