Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Science

Program Overview

Medical Science (TU867)

Overview

Medical Science is the science related to medical conditions, their causes, diagnosis, and treatment. This course provides multi-disciplinary training and clinical laboratory placement in all Biomedical Science disciplines, so that you may work in any of the following areas in pathology: Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Cytology, Cellular Pathology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, and Transfusion Science.

Course Details

• Course Title: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Science
• TU Code: TU867
• CAO Point Range 2024: 522−613
• NFQ Level: Level 8
• Award Type: Major
• Award: Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• ECTS Credits: 240
• Duration: 4 years
• Number of Places: 43
• Location: Grangegorman

Course Structure

• Year 1: Covers the core sciences and introduces you to Biomedical Science.
• Year 2: Includes Immunology, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry, as well as a module in each of the five major diagnostic pathology biomedical disciplines.
• Year 3: Undertake a 30-week Clinical Laboratory Placement in a hospital pathology laboratory.
• Year 4: Study core modules in Molecular Diagnostics, Professional Skills and Quality Systems, and Research Methods and Data Interpretation, and select two further modular options from Clinical Chemistry, Cellular Pathology, Haematology, Transfusion Science, Medical Microbiology, and Clinical Immunology. Then, undertake a 12-week research project, hosted in a hospital pathology laboratory, a national reference site, an international research centre (under the Erasmus/Socrates scheme), or in a research facility in TU Dublin.

Study Abroad Opportunities

In final year, you may elect to undertake a 12-week research project in an international research centre (under the Erasmus/Socrates scheme). The School of Biological Sciences currently has the following EU partners for Research Project Placement: Belgium – Gent University, KU Leuven, and Odisee University College; France – University of Lille and University of Limoges; Portugal – University of Coimbra; Spain – University of Navarra, and Sweden – University of Gothenburg, Karolinska Institute, and Uppsala University.

Work Placement

In Year 3, you will undertake a 30-week Clinical Laboratory Placement in a hospital pathology laboratory. You thus will have completed both the Clinical Laboratory Placement and an honours degree in Biomedical Science, required for eligibility to practice as a medical scientist in clinical pathology laboratories in Ireland.

Professional Accreditation

This degree, which is accredited by both the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (Ireland) and the Institute of Biomedical Science (UK), is recognised for employment in both public and private pathology and research labs, and Biomedical Science positions worldwide. The course is also recognised by CORU.

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Leaving Certificate Requirements:
  • Minimum Number of Subjects: 6
  • Higher: 2 H5's
  • Minimum Grade in Maths: O4/H7
  • Minimum Grade in English OR Irish: O6/H7
  • Other Grade Requirements: At least H4 in one of: Physics, Chemistry, Physics and Chemistry, or Biology.
• Mature Applicants: Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome.
• English Language Requirements: If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Career Opportunities

There are many opportunities for Medical Science graduates in both diagnostic pathology laboratories in the Health Service and in research laboratories. You would be eligible to work as a medical/biomedical scientist in clinical diagnostic pathology laboratories in Ireland, the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

• Graduate Employers:
  • HSE
  • In vitro diagnostic companies
  • Private hospital laboratories
  • Research laboratories

Module Listing

• Year One:
  • Semester 1:
    • Cellular Dynamics - Biochemical Processes [Mandatory]
    • Infection and Immunity [Mandatory]
    • Introduction to Biomedical Science [Mandatory]
    • Introduction to Chemistry [Mandatory]
    • Introduction to Histology, Anatomy and Physiology [Mandatory]
    • Maths & Stats for Health Sciences [Mandatory]
    • Physics for Health Science [Mandatory]
    • Professional Practice 1 [Mandatory]
  • Semester 2:
    • Biostatistics for Medical Sciences [Mandatory]
    • Infection and Immunity [Mandatory]
    • Organ System Physiology [Mandatory]
    • Cellular Dynamics - Molecular Genetics [Mandatory]
    • Introduction to Chemistry [Mandatory]
    • Physics for Health Science [Mandatory]
• Year Two:
  • Semester 1:
    • Bioinformatics for Biomedical Sciences [Mandatory]
    • Biological Basis of Disease [Mandatory]
    • Cell and Molecular Biology [Mandatory]
    • Professional Practice 2 [Mandatory]
    • Biochemistry of Metabolism [Mandatory]
    • Molecular Immunology [Mandatory]
    • Control and Integrative Physiology [Mandatory]
  • Semester 2:
    • Biological Basis of Disease [Mandatory]
    • Professional Practice 2 [Mandatory]
    • Clinical Chemistry [Mandatory]
    • Cellular Pathology and Clinical Cytology [Mandatory]
    • Haematology [Mandatory]
    • Medical Microbiology [Mandatory]
    • Transfusion Science [Mandatory]
• Year Three:
  • Semester 1:
    • Professional Placement [Mandatory]
    • Professional Practice 3 [Mandatory]
  • Semester 2:
    • Professional Placement [Mandatory]
    • Professional Practice 3 [Mandatory]
• Year Four:
  • Semester 1:
    • Professional Practice 4 [Mandatory]
    • Molecular Diagnostics [Mandatory]
    • Cellular Pathology 1 [Elective]
    • Cellular Pathology 2 [Elective]
    • Clinical Chemistry 1: Pathophysiology and analytes of organ systems, methods and quality [Elective]
    • Clinical Chemistry 2: Specialist and advanced methods [Elective]
    • Clinical Immunology [Elective]
    • Haematology 1 [Elective]
    • Haematology 2 [Elective]
    • Medical Microbiology 1: Microbial Diagnostics [Elective]
    • Medical Microbiology 2: Microbial Pathogenesis and Infection Control [Elective]
    • Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology [Elective]
    • Transfusion Science 2 [Elective]
  • Semester 2:
    • Professional Practice 4 [Mandatory]
    • Project module [Mandatory]
    • Research Methods and Data Analysis [Mandatory]

Progression

On graduation, you may also proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil, or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.