Bachelor of Science (Undenominated)

College of Science

Key facts

Entry requirements

Minimum HC3 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at H or O Level in the Leaving Certificate including: Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

Duration: 3 or 4 years

Next start date: September 2012

Entry points(2011): 370

A Level Grades (2011): ABB (A-Level)

Average intake: 300

Course overview

The Undenominated Science degree is a programme which allows you to take a variety of subjects in the general scientific field before deciding to specialise in one specific area for your four year honours degree. It is the ideal choice for students who want to study science, but are not yet ready to narrow their options to a specific topic. You can take subjects from the Physical Sciences, for example, and combine them with subjects from the Biological Sciences, the Mathematical Sciences, or the Earth and Ocean Sciences. Opportunities exist to choose from the wide range of subjects offered in the college. Please note, however, that quotas apply to second year subjects in Undenominated Science.

 

Undenominated Science will give you a solid foundation in general science subjects during your first three years of study. These include subjects you may already have studied, like Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics, but also include Applied Mathematics, computer Science, Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Pharmacology and the Earth and Ocean Sciences. With such a diverse range of topics, students often find they need time to discover which speciallism is for them.

 

As a science graduate, your training will always stand to you, both in your professional career and in the personal interests you develop over your life. Research and development in industry will continue to be a critical part of the development of knowledge economies. No matter what subject you decide to specialise in, there will be an R&D aspect to it in industry or academia. In Ireland, industry leaders have repeatedly pointed to the need for more science graduates to retain and build on the economy's competitiveness. In addition, with climate change and the ongoing energy crisis, the requirement for scientific solutions to the problems mankind faces is as great as ever.

Course outline

Year 1

Students must take four subjects in first year. The subjects are arranged in groups, and students must choose one group from the following:
  • Group A: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
  • Group B: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science
  • Group C: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
  • Group D: Biology, Chemistry, Introduction to Earth and Ocean Sciences and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
  • Group E: Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.
  • Group F: Introduction to Earth and Ocean Sciences, Physics, Computer Science and Mathematics or Applied Mathematics.

Year 2

All students take three full subjects or two full subjects plus two half subjects.
Full Subjects:
  • Anatomy
  • Applied Mathematical Science
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany and Plant Science
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physics
  • Physiology
  • Zoology
Half Subjects:
A variety of half subjects are offered.

Year 3

Most students take two full subjects and one half subject.
Full Subjects:
  • Physics
  • Mathematics (Honours)
  • Applied Mathematics (Honours)
  • Applied Mathematics and Physics (Honours)
  • Anatomy
  • Applied Mathematical Science
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany and Plant Science
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Zoology
Half Subjects:
A variety of half subjects are offered.

Year 4

Students choose their honours degrees:
  • Anatomy
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics and Physics
  • Biochemistry
  • Botany and Plant Science
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Earth and Ocean Sciences
  • Physics and Applied Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Zoology

Further education

Students who obtain either a BSc (General) or BSc (Honours) degree may apply to take a Higher Diploma in Applied Science. These diplomas are industry-orientated. Graduates with good honours degrees in appropriate subjects may be admitted to postgraduate study as MSc or PhD students. The MSc degree may be obtained by course work with a minor thesis or by research work with a major thesis.

Find out more

The College of Science
T 353 (0)91 492182
F 353 (0)91 494578
E science@nuigalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/science

CAO code

GY301

Fees for this course

EU (Total): €7,492
 - Tuition: €5,268
 - Student contribution: €2,000
 - Student levy: €224
Non-EU (Total): €13,750

Find out what all these course fees mean

Current Students

Johnathan Doran

BSc (Undenominated)

"I specialised in Biochemistry during my time at NUI Galway. It is a challenging but an extremely interesting and rewarding course. Lectures and laboratory classes are taught by world-renowned researchers.
There are opportunities for summer placement which gives you great practical experience. This is of benefit when entering final year where you are assigned to a laboratory project, and when you are applying for jobs. Graduates can go on to work in industry or to further study, others have gotten into areas such as medicine, pharmacy and physiotherapy."    

Downloads

Undergraduate Prospectus Image

Get the prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus

.