Course Overview

Research activity within the discipline of biochemistry involves some sixty postgraduate students and thirty postdoctoral researchers from all over the world. Research is carried out in the following main areas:

Cell Stress and Cell Death
Researchers in this area examine what signals arise within the cell during stress and how different stresses can cause death in certain cell types, particularly in neurons and in heart muscle cells.

Chromosome Biology
The ten research groups in this area are interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying chromosome replication, segregation, repair, and transcription. These processes are fundamental to genetics and have important implications for cancer and other diseases.

Developmental Biology
Particular interests lie in the control of gene expression during development using the zebrafish model. Other work looks at how blood cells develop from stem cells.

Molecular Biotechnology
Research in this area focuses on the industrial application of enzymes and other biomolecules from fungi.


Research areas

  • Cancer biology 
  • Cell cycle 
  • Cell death mechanisms 
  • Cellular stress responses 
  • Chromosome biology 
  • DNA damage responses 
  • Mutagenesis 
  • Developmental mechanisms 
  • Enzymology 
  • Epigenetics 
  • Gene expression 
  • Glycobiology 
  • Neurobiology

Programmes Available

MSc, full-time and part-time

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

Candidates for the degree of MSc by research must have reached a high honours standard (minimum H2.2 [or equivalent international qualification] for an MSc) at the examination for the primary degree or presented such other evidence as will satisfy the Head of School and the College of his/her fitness.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,750 p.a. (€5,890 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€15,000 p.a. (€15,140 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information


EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25


All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy of €140.

Contact Us

Professor Kevin Sullivan
T +353 91 492 434 
E biochem-postgrad-enquiries@universityofgalway.ie
www.nuigalway.ie/faculties_departments/biochemistry/