Year One provides the essential background knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology. These are of vital importance in later years. Thought provoking laboratory work is an integral part of the course in all years of the course. The major emphasis in Years Two and Three is on analytical science, with chemical and biological aspects being developed in parallel. In Year Three you can choose between a forensic and environmental chemistry stream or a biology stream, so you can specialise in the area that suits you best. Both streams cover the major, modern state-of-the-art analytical techniques, and you'll enjoy plenty of hands-on experience in our exceptionally well-equipped facilities. Your period of industrial placement (INTRA) before your final year ensures that you gain valuable work experience in a real life setting, putting to the test the many things you have learned on the course to the test. Year Four covers more specialised methods and applications of analytical science, which, when integrated with the basic analytical techniques you've already learned present you with the opportunity to develop your own analytical approach to solving complex problems. Chemistry and biology specialist options are maintained ensuring that you still gain the multi-disciplinary education that modern employers demand. The final part of your course is the full-time project taken in the last semester.

You will be highly sought after by many of Ireland's leading companies and public service providers. Past graduates have gained a variety of positions within Ireland's growing pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry - in areas such as quality control, product research and development and testing. Other opportunities include manufacturing industries looking for graduates with strong analytical skills, such as in brewing, agricultural fertiliser production and fine chemicals production. Graduates have also obtained positions within government agencies involved with environmental monitoring or food quality testing and research. In addition to these, a large number of graduates also chose to undertake postgraduate research.