Biotechnology, NUI Galway

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B. Sc. Biotechnology

First Year Programme

Second Year Programme

Third Year Programme

Fourth Year Programme

Practical Project

Literature Project

What is Biotechnology ?

Biotechnology is a new name given to the long practised skills of using biological materials for the benefits of man. Classically, this meant the use of yeasts to make beer or bread or the use of lactic acid bacteria to make cheese. Modern Biotechnology includes these areas but also extends to the application of DNA-based technology, Immunology, Biochemistry and Microbiology to make new products or provide services to the areas of healthcare, agriculture, food and the environment.

Why Study Biotechnology ?

This course aims to provide you with an awareness of developments at the forefront of Biotechnology and to provide you with the skills that ensure you will keep abreast of the changes that occur in this rapidly developing science. You are particularly encouraged to read widely in the field of Biotechnology and to discuss your findings with your peers. You will also continue your interest in a language (French or German) and gain confidence in the business aspects of Biotechnology which is facilitated by the preparation of a business plan during the course of your studies.

Entry to the Denominated Biotechnology Programme

Application for admission to the first year of the programme is made through the Central Applications Office (CAO), Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway. The course code is GY304. The basic entry requirement for CAO Science course codes for NUI, Galway apply. The class size is limited to 30 students.

Course Outline
First Year Programme

Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (Honours or Pass Level) and Biotechnology. The subject Biotechnology includes its definition, scope and potential with an introduction to recombinant DNA technology, proteins and immunology. Practical classes are given in the extraction of DNA and use of computers for word-processing and scientific applications. Introductory courses in Business Studies and the choice of French or German are provided.

Second Year Programme

Students take lectures and laboratory courses in Biochemistry, Microbiology and Chemistry. Students continue the language chosen in first year and as part of the Biotechnology course each student prepares and presents a seminar on a topical area of Biotechnology.

Third Year Programme

Students attend modules in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics and Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology. These courses involve lectures and laboratory classes. Placement in Industry for a four-month period is an intrinsic part of third year and allows students to integrate all areas of the course and work with leading-edge companies in the field of Biotechnology.

Fourth Year Programme

The fourth-year course includes topics such as genetic engineering, diagnostics, downstream processing, tissue culture, immunotechnology, glycobiology, apoptosis, fermentation, biopharmaceuticals and process technology. Students undertake an advanced laboratory project during one term and present a seminar and write an essay on a selected topic in Biotechnology during another term.

Practical Project

Practical projects are supervised by staff and members of their research teams located within the Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, The National Diagnostics Centre in NUI, Galway, National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, REMEDI and University College Hospital. Each project will take about eight weeks and includes presentation of a minor thesis.

Literature Project

Each student researches a topic and submits an essay of approximately 30 pages. The topics assigned are allied to themes from Fourth Year programme.

Careers in Biotechnology

Graduates from this course find ready employment in rewarding jobs in a growing number of industries such as:

Abbott Ireland, Ltd.
Alltech
Allergan
Bayer and Unilever
Beckmann Instruments
National Diagnostics Centre of BioResearch Ireland
Smithkline Beecham

Graduates are also pursuing higher degrees (M. Sc. , Ph. D.) in areas such as:

Biochemistry
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Environmental Science
Molecular Biology, Immunology
Plant Genetics
Equine studies
Computing
Science Writing

Graduates remain at home:

Trinity College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast

Or travel abroad:

Vienna Biosciences Centre, Austria
University of Kentucky, USA
University of Cambridge, UK
European Molecular Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany

The Teaching Staff

Biotechnology is not taught within a single Department, but rather draws from a number of disciplines at NUI, Galway. It has been a component of the research activities of a number of Departments for over 20 years, particularly in the Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Medicine.

Staff of the Microbiology Department (Prof. John Patching, Dr. Gerard Fleming) and of the Chemistry Department (Dr. Tim Higgins) actively contribute to the fourth-year teaching programme, as do many lecturers in Biochemistry.

Others who make a substantial teaching contribution to the Biotechnology course are members of the Pharmacology, Accountancy & Finance, French and German Departments.

Applying for Entry to the Science Faculty NUI, Galway

Application for admission to the first year of full-time B.Sc. programmes is made through the CAO. Information relating to entry, including entry on mature years and transfer from other third level institutions, is available from:

The Admissions Office,
National University of Ireland, Galway.

Telephone: 091 492199

Contact Person

For any further queries or information regarding the B. Sc. Biotechnology Degree course at NUI, Galway, please contact:

Dr. John Donlon
Department of Biochemistry
Tel.: +353 91 492412
Fax.: +353 91 495504
E-mail: biotechqueriesnuigalway.ie

National University of Ireland, Galway is not bound by any errors of statement or omission in this document.

Biotechnology
This page was last updated Thursday, December 18, 2008