Course Information
BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Full Time – Undergraduate Studies
CAO Code: DN200
CAO Points Range 2019: 521
Length of Course: 4 Years
Average Intake: 400
- O2/H6 in Mathematics
- O2/H6 in a laboratory science (Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or Geography may be used instead of a laboratory science subject) and
- O6/H7 in English, Irish and two other recognised subjects
- A-Level/GCSE
- Other EU Applicants
- Non-EU Applicants
- QQI FET Entry Routes
- Level 6/7 Progression Routes
Why is this course for me?
Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs and their action on biological systems, ranging from genes and cells up to tissues and even human populations. A drug is any substance given to a human or animal with the intention of changing the state of body function: to relieve pain, treat cancer, eliminate infection or improve health. Pharmacology is also concerned with the use of drugs as investigative tools to obtain a better understanding of cellular and physiological processes in both health and disease. In the UCD Pharmacology course, students will have the opportunity to take part in drug development research.
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
Career opportunities for Pharmacology graduates include working in:
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Drug regulatory bodies, such as the Irish Medicines Board
- Biotechnology sector
- Chemical safety and toxicology
Pharmacology graduates can also pursue graduate studies at MSc or PhD level. PhD programmes in Ireland and abroad cover areas such as drug development and biomedical science.
What Will I Study
This is a sample pathway for a degree in Pharmacology. Topics include drug kinetics in the body, drug action on body systems, treatment of disease, biomedical sciences, biopharmaceuticals and new drug development.
First Year
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Optional Science modules
- Elective modules
Second Year
- Pharmacology
- + 2 Other Science Subjects
- Elective modules
Third Year
- Pharmacology
- Elective modules
Fourth Year
- Pharmacology (includes a research project in topics such as cancer treatment, cardiovascular disease, neuropharmacology and drug discovery)
All Science courses are full time, with many student timetables running from 9.00am to 5.00pm or later. Depending on the subject choices, a weekly timetable can include lectures, practicals and tutorials.
Assessment varies with each module but may comprise continuous assessment of practicals, written exams and online learning activities.
Professional Work Experience
A limited number of opportunities exist in second and third year to gain additional laboratory experience during the summer. Funded schemes are organised by public and private bodies, e.g. the Irish Health Research Board and The Wellcome Trust (UK). In addition, occasional opportunities arise within individual research groups
For detailed information on subject content click here
You may be interested in the following blog post: Why did I pick Pharmacology in UCD?
International Study Opportunities
International study opportunities in third and fourth years to date have included:
- University of Melbourne, Australia
- University of Washington, Seattle
- University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Testimonial
“I’m from Boston, Massachusetts, USA and fell in love with UCD following a visit to Ireland. I chose to study Science because I was passionate about research and the human body. UCD Science’s flexible curriculum allowed me to try out a range of modules in first year from Organic Chemistry to Cell Biology. I focused my second year on Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Microbiology and Physiology. Early in second year I knew I would eventually choose Pharmacology as my degree subject. I’m really interested in the research of drugs and the treatment of diseases. Student life in UCD has been so welcoming that Dublin ended up feeling like home. I now work with leading global clinical research organisation, IQVIA, as a Pharmacovigilance Operations Specialist in Dublin.”
Courtney Greene Graduate