Higher Certificate Science In Applied Biology Or Applied Chemistry

Course details

What is the Higher Certificate in Science course about?

The Higher Certificate in Science provides a grounding in the scientific skills to students wishing to specialise in their second year in either Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry. There is an emphasis on practical skills with students getting hands on experience in the laboratory. More than 50% of the time is spent in practicals developing essential laboratory skills.

What is the Higher Certificate Applied Biology course about?

The aim of the Higher Certificate in Science, Applied Biology is to equip students to pursue careers in a modern biology based, scientific environment. This is the second year of a two year course and is designed to provide graduates with skills to work in a modern laboratory including microbiology, biochemistry, biological, molecular biology processes, quality control, and analytical techniques. Graduates may eventually progress to honours degree courses in Environmental Science, Bioscience with Bioforensics or Biopharmaceuticals.

What is the Higher Certificate Applied Chemistry course about?

The course is designed to provide graduates with the theoretical knowledge and understanding, and the practical skills necessary to pursue technical careers in a modern scientific environment, particularly in the areas of industrial chemistry, pharmaceutical manufacture, scientific instrumentation, quality control, food science and technology.

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Students who complete the Higher Certificate in either Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry at IT Carlow may gain employment as laboratory technicians in the Food, Chemical, Biotechnological, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare and Environmental industries. However, many students choose to continue their studies at IT Carlow to degree level studying Biosciences, Environmental, Analytical and Forensic Science.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Students who graduate from these courses will be eligible to progress to Year 3 of the Bachelor of Science in Analytical and Forensic Science (CW107) (in the case of the Chemistry stream) and Year 3 of the Bachelor of Science in Biosciences (CW117) (in the case of the Biology Stream). Students may subsequently continue to the relevant Honours Degree courses at IT Carlow.

What subjects will I study?

YEAR 1

These courses benefit from a common first year. Much of the time is spent in the laboratory and in addition students’ computer skills are enhanced.

YEAR 2

Students specialising in the Higher Certificate in Science, either in Applied Biology or in Applied Chemistry will build on the subjects taken in Year 1.

Year 1

Mandatory Subjects

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Laboratory Science
• Physics
• Quantitative Methods 1
• Forensics, Pharmaceutical & Environmental Science
• Communication, Innovation & Team Work

Year 2 BIOLOGY STREAM

Mandatory Subjects

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Quantitative Methods & Quality
• Instrumentation & Computing
• Bioanalytical Techniques

Year 2 CHEMISTRY STREAM

Mandatory Subjects

• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Quantitative Methods & Quality
• Instrumentation & Computing
• Industrial Applications – Pharmaceutical/Environmental

What are the minimum entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate: 5 subjects at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better.

Subjects required: English or Irish at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better and Mathematics at Ordinary Level Grade D3 or better.

Mature applicants: will be interviewed and assessed on an individual basis