Course details
The Higher Certificate in Science provides a grounding in the scientific skills to students wishing to specialise in their 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 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 the Bachelor of Science in Analytical and Forensic Science (CW107) (in the case of the Chemistry stream) and 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. 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
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.
Special features of the course
These courses have a high practical input which provides the graduate with expertise in a wide range of scientific techniques and primes students for the workplace by providing them with expertise in a wide range of scientific and laboratory skills and techniques. The Higher Certificate also acts as an entry point to both ordinary and honours degree courses both at IT Carlow and nationally
Updated on 08 November, 2015