Department of Life Sciences
Head of Department : G. Quinn
Departmental Staff
Courses:
National Certificate in Science (Applied Biology Option) - 2yrs
National Certificate in Aquaculture - 2yrs
Certificate in Medical Laboratory Science - 2yrs + 1yr placement
National Diploma in Applied Aquatic Sciences - 1yr
GA006 SCI
The first year of this course is common for students intending to take the Applied Biology, Applied Chemistry or Instrument Physics Certificate, with students indicating their preference for a particular option either during or at the end of their first year. This gives students who have not taken all three Science subjects to Leaving Certificate an opportunity to sample each one. Entry to a particular option in second year is subject to availability of places.
Aims
To give graduates a sound theoretical grasp of the principles of Microbiology and Biochemistry and Analytical Chemical techniques. Particular emphasis is laid on analytical skills appropriate to quality control in food, pharmaceutical/chemical industries, environmental monitoring etc. Graduates are therefore prepared for employment in modern analytical laboratories and for further studies leading to a Diploma and/or Degree in Science.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirement is: Pass (Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish. In practice, entry levels are significantly above the minimum and points are calculated from the SIX best subjects.
Course Duration
Two years full-time study.
Career Outlets
Graduates from this course find employment in health-care, food processing and biotechnology based industries. Many other industrial concerns have a particular requirement for Applied Biology graduates in such areas as environmental protection, effluent monitoring, quality control of starting materials, in-process and finished products etc. Additional opportunities exist both in educational and industrial operations and increased numbers of skilled personnel are likely to be required in order to meet more rigorous quality standards concomitant with the implementation of, in particular, EU directives and regulations.
Course Content
Year 1
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Language/Sociology & Communication.
Year 2
Microbiology, Biochemistry, Analytical Techniques & Instrumentation. Elective Modules in a diverse range of subjects are also taken.
Opportunities for Further Study
The Certificate is an excellent starting point for National Diploma courses (in Galway or other RTCs) and/or degree programmes. Very many graduates of this course have progressed through diverse routes to M.Sc. and Ph.D. courses. The School has developed extensive collaboration with other institutions of higher education, particularly in the UK and in other EU states. These arrangements provide easy and beneficial transfer opportunities to Honours Degree courses, generally offering year for year recognition of the National Certificate. Formal transfer arrangements exist between this College and Wolverhampton, Manchester and Coventry Universities, and there are informal links with several other Universities.
Further Information
Vincent Jennings or Head of School.
GA007 AQUA
Aims
To give students a thorough understanding of the principles of aquaculture and the current practice in Irish aquaculture. In the first year, emphasis is placed on the acquisition of the basic scientific knowledge and skills relevant to aquaculture.
In second year, the course broadens to include practical engineering and business skills together with a detailed study of aquaculture practice and farm management.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirement is: Pass (Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects including Mathematics and English or Irish. In practice, entry levels are significantly above the minimum and points are calculated from the SIX best subjects.
Course Duration
Two years full-time study, including a minimum of eight weeks mandatory work placement.
Career Outlets
Graduates of this course are equipped to carry out any operation on Irish fish farms with the minimum of instruction and supervision. Opportunities exist in the shellfish and finfish industries, in both hatchery and production units. Graduates will usually start as operative or farm technicians, but should soon rise to under-manager level. Throughout, students are given every encouragement and support in developing their entrepreneurial abilities. A number of graduates have established successful businesses.
Course Content
Year 1
Biology, Chemistry, Engineering Science, French or German, Introduction to Aquaculture (including Boat Handling and Water Safety), Mathematics.
Year 2
Aquaculture Practice, Business Organisation and Marketing, Engineering Technology, French or German, Introduction to Computing.
Formal courses are augmented by farm visits and by a seminar series given by practising fish farmers.
Opportunities for Further Study
The sound theoretical background in the aquatic sciences enables graduates to pursue advanced studies in this area. Entry to Diploma courses in this and other RTCs depends on second year results. Opportunities exist to go on to degree level courses in marine biology, environmental sciences and aquaculture at a number of colleges in the UK. Transfer arrangements normally give full recognition to the two years study in Galway.
Further Information
Brian Ottway or Head of School.
GA014 MEDLAB
Aims
To provide students with a solid foundation in the basic sciences and an introduction to the theory and practice of Medical Laboratory Science. This enables students to follow on to Honours Degree level in Medical Laboratory Science/Biomedical Science. Graduates of this Certificate, together with graduates from the Certificate courses in DIT and Cork RTC progress to an Honours Degree programme in these or other institutions.
Entry Requirements
MINIMUM entry requirement is: Pass (Grade D3 or better) in five Leaving Certificate subjects to include Mathematics, a Science subject, and English or Irish. Two of these subjects must be passed at Grade C3 or better in higher level papers and Grade C3 (lower level paper) or better in Mathematics. In practice, entry levels are considerably higher and points are calculated from the SIX best subjects.
Course Duration
Two years full-time study in the College followed by one year's hospital placement.
Career Outlets
Career opportunities exist in hospital laboratories, research laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry.
Course Content
Year 1
Cell Biology, Physiology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, French or German.
Year 2
Physiology, Biochemistry, Medical Physics/Instrumentation, Statistics/Computing, Medical Laboratory Science, including: Medical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Cellular Pathology, Immunology, Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science. French or German.
Year 3
Hospital placement involving Medical laboratory practice in all the above Medical Laboratory Science disciplines. Each student will be assigned two dissertations for submission during Year 3.
Opportunities for Further Study
Graduates of the Certificate Course progress to Honours Degree programmes in Medical Laboratory Sciences/Biomedical Science in DIT Kevin St., UCC/Cork RTC or the University of Ulster (Coleraine campus) and other UK Universities.
Further Information
Richard Delaney or Head of School.
SDAS3
Aims
To prepare students for careers in aquaculture, fisheries, pollution control, related industries and in the general field of aquatic biology, here the main activity entails monitoring or exploitation of the aquatic environment.
Entry Requirements
National Certificate in Science (Applied Biology or Aquaculture option) with Merit or Distinction, or equivalent qualification. Applicants holding a National Certificate with at least one year's post Certificate experience will be considered for admission, having regard to academic performance, the nature of work experience and availability of places.
Holders of a B.Sc. in a biological discipline may also apply.
Course Duration
One year full-time.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this course have found employment in the aquaculture and fisheries area at levels ranging from operative to management functions. Others have found employment as monitoring personnel in the area of environmental protection. Opportunities in this area are likely to increase with the implementation of EU environmental directives and the current awareness of "green" issues.
Course Content
Biology of Aquatic Organisms, Environmental Techniques, Data Handling and Statistics, Boat Handling and Water Safety, Ecology of Aquatic Environments, Management and Development of Aquatic Resources, Project.
Opportunities for Further Study
Many students transfer to degree courses on completion of this course. Some have, with substantial work experience, transferred onto M.Sc. programmes but most students enter the second or third year of B.Sc. Honours programmes. It is also possible to participate in exchange programmes with UK institutions when registered on the course. This may provide a particularly attractive pathway onto a higher degree programme.
Further Information
Colin Pybus or Head of School.