Chemical Sciences - General Entry
As a chemist, you can help to solve everyday challenges and change people’s lives for the better. By choosing Chemical Sciences General Entry, you can spend your first year at DCU exploring different aspects of chemistry, so you discover which parts inspire you most. Among other topics, you’ll study drug design, introduction to synthetic methods to prepare drugs, industrial and forensic analytical techniques, environmental chemistry and biomolecules during this year. You can also take a language module such as French or Spanish.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
1 plus 3 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum of 6 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6/H7, which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. In addition, applicants must present at least 2 subjects at Grade H5.
Additional Requirements
Minimum of O3 or H6 in Mathematics PLUS minimum of O3 or H5 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry, Agricultural Science or Computer Science.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Applicants wishing to undertake a Level 8 degree at DCU must be at least 16 years of age on 15 January of the year of entry.
Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following 6 groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B.
2 Economics, Agricultural Economics.
3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry; only 2 best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry; only best scored.
4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all 3 subjects are taken; only the best 2 will be scored.
5 Latin, Classical Studies.
6 Greek, Classical Studies.
Candidates who meet the points requirements but not the specific course requirements, for example H4 in English for the BA in Journalism, are permitted to repeat that subject only to meet the course requirements.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. However, these courses will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:
DC001 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
DC009 - Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
DC014 - BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
DC131 - BA in Communication Studies
DC132 - BA in Journalism
DC133 - BSc in Multimedia
DC155 - BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
DC231 - BA in International Relations
DC232 - Bachelor of Civil Law and Society
DC235 - BSc in Education and Training
DC238 - BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation
DC291 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Media)
DC292 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Law)
DC293 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (International Languages)
DC294 - BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability
DC295 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Politics)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Please note that LCVP link modules cannot be used as a subject for general or specific course entry requirements, but can be used for the calculation of points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
DCU welcomes applicants with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5/6) qualifications. Applicants who have a full National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 award in appropriate qualifications and modules can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses.
QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route is a competitive entry route with a limited number of places. A quota of places are offered based on the CAO ranked order of applicants based on performance. For courses with a QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route, approximately 10% of places are retained for QQI-FET (Level 5) applicants. Application is made through the CAO.
Careers / Further progression
Future Careers
Chemical and Forensic Analysis
Drug Formulation and Production
Production Validation
Environmental Monitoring and Management
Research and Development
Quality Control and Assurance
Data Analytics
Machine Learning in Materials
Medicinal and Environmental
Further information
Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.
For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
For more information, please contact the Mature Student Officer, orla.stafford@dcu.ie or dcu.ie/mature-students
For general and admission enquiries, please visit dcu.ie/registry/ug-admissions
117 (DC163, DC161, DC162 and DC166)
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why DCU?
− Chemistry is the key to understanding the world we live in
− Pursue 1 of 3 Chemistry degree courses from Year 2 onwards, BSc in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence (via DC163), BSc in Analytical Science (DC161), BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DC162)
− Unlock the secrets of how drugs and pharmaceuticals work, enabling us to develop treatments for diseases and infections
− Opportunity to study different areas of chemistry, to see which field inspires you the most
− Gain unparalleled hands-on experience in our industry standard laboratories
− Develop laboratory skills in our National award-winning undergraduate teaching labs (Education Lab of the Year) under the Irish Laboratory Awards (ILA) programme
About You
Do you have an inquisitive mind and a keen interest in science? Are you interested in how the world works? Do you enjoy a challenge and finding solutions to problems, from individual to global issues? Then Chemical Science General Entry may be the course for you.
Understanding: Chemical Sciences General Entry
The Chemical Sciences General Entry course allows you to study a variety of chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics in Year 1. You will study the fundamental basis of chemistry, and build on this to learn how medicines work, what causes climate change, how to drive reactions to go faster, how to determine and conduct analysis on the source of a water pollution event for example, and much more.
The range of dynamic laboratory practical sessions you will carry out in every semester ensures you develop excellent laboratory skills to support a successful career as a scientist in the chemical and biopharmaceutical industries or in the area of research.
You will learn in small groups within student-focused laboratories, assisted by fully trained lab tutors, getting hands-on experience on the instruments and techniques that are used in industry. Our award winning undergraduate laboratory and support teams ensure an excellent student centred laboratory learning experience for each student.
Course Structure
In Year 1 you will discover the fundamental basis of chemistry, learning all about molecules; how they react with each other; why and how we study and analyse them; providing you with an excellent foundation for the rest of your studies. To support this, you will take modules in biology, physics, mathematics, computing and IT skills, and carry out practical laboratory sessions in chemistry, biology and physics.
At the end of Year 1 you will be prepared to progress to Year 2, 3 and 4 of your chosen Chemical Science degree:
− BSc in Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence (via DC163)
− BSc in Analytical Science (DC161)
− BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DC162)
Progression to your chosen Year 2 course may be merit based depending on demand for that course.
Note that Year 3 of your chosen degree will include a 6 month paid work placement (INTRA) providing you with an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills learned within a company (including biopharmaceutical, chemical, analytical and environmental positions) while also gaining invaluable work experience.
Year 4 will include carrying out a semester long research project, developing your own personal research skills with the opportunity to do cutting edge research in an area of particular interest to you.
What Will I Study?
Years 1
Chemistry, Physics and Biology Laboratories | Mathematics | Chemistry | Biology | Interdisciplinary Science | Physics
For Years 2, 3 and 4, you will take modules of your chosen degree course.
Additional Information
Successful completion of this Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8) satisfies the current Teaching Council of Ireland subject curricular requirements for the teaching of chemistry at post-primary level.
Contact Details
Tel: +353 (0) 1 700 5312
E: pat.omalley@dcu.ie
E: studenthelp@dcu.ie
Visit Us Online dcu.ie/DC163