Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms known as micro-organisms or microbes. Microbes play a key role in every facet of life on this planet. For example, microbes have a major impact on the earth’s climate by their metabolism of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Microbes can naturally produce polymers, antibiotics but also consume or break down a multitude of toxic chemicals. Microbiologists use tools like molecular biology, fermentation, enzymology and synthetic biology to improve the natural ability of microorganisms so that they can produce new antibiotics, natural products, biodegradable plastics and clean up chemically polluted soil and water. Microbes protect us from colonisation by diseasecausing organisms. However, some microbes cause disease, e.g. MRSA, tuberculosis and meningitis. Microbiological research aims to find treatments for these and other infectious diseases.

Information on all our courses including pathways, internships and careers information is available in the UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Entry 2025 Brochure (PDF).

Click here to Download Course Pathways document.

Microbiology is one of the degree subjects available through the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream in the common entry Science course. Students study similar modules for all degree subjects in the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream in first year and will study modules for a minimum of two degree subjects in second year. At the end of second year, students choose their degree major. Assuming students meet all the academic requirements in first and second year, students are guaranteed a degree subject from the stream they are studying in second year. We do our best to ensure that students go on to study their top degree subject choice. As we offer plenty of degree subjects in each stream, students have a number of similar degree subjects to choose from as their degree major. For more information on choosing a degree major at the end of Second Year, visit the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream page.

This is a sample set of modules that a Microbiology student could study each year in UCD.

First Year
Scientific Enquiry • Cell Biology & Genetics • Basis of Organic and Biological Chemistry • Biomedical Sciences • Biology in Action • Life on Earth • Linear Algebra for Science • Calculus for Science • Optional Science Modules • Elective Module 

Second Year
Biomolecular Lab Skills • Molecular Genetics and Biotech • Biomolecular Sciences • Microbiology in Medicine, Biotechnology and the Environment • Chemistry for Biology • + modules for 2 other Science Subjects • Elective Modules

Third Year
Regulation of Gene Expression • Microbial Physiology • Microbial Diversity & Growth • Skills in Microbiology • Ecological & Environmental Microbiology • Medical Microbiology • Microbial Cell Factory • Applied Microbiology • Optional Modules • Elective Modules 

Fourth Year
Research Project • Applied Microbial Ecology • Microbial Pathogenicity • Bioprocessing • Enzyme Technology & Protein Engineering • Natural Product Synthesis • Systems Microbiology 

Professional Work Experience
Students carry out a research project in Fourth Year, which can be an internship in a pharmaceutical or food-related company or a hospital. Recent placements include Alltech, APC, Monaghan Biosciences, Pfizer and the HSE Public Analyst’s Laboratory. 

International study opportunities in third and fourth year to date have included UC Berkeley and University of Colorado. A limited number of fourth year projects are available in Denmark and Germany.

Microbiologists are employed in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and food-related industries in roles including research and development, process design and control, management and quality control. Many graduates pursue an MSc or PhD. These microbiologists play a key role in developing new drugs, finding novel ways to combat infectious diseases and designing new approaches to clean the environment and develop a green economy.

Students have an opportunity to undertake an industry research placement for 6 months commencing in the Summer following Third Year (i.e. June-December). Assessment is based on a thesis, oral presentations and a laboratory report.

Students in recent years have completed internships in the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine, APC Ltd, and Sanofi.

Placements are secured on a competitive basis and are subject to change each year.

More information about the internship module and application process.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access

Dr Jennifer Mitchell
UCD School of Biomolecular and
Biomedical Science
askscience@ucd.ie

After my first Microbiology class, I was absolutely enthralled. I knew straight away that was what I wanted to do. Microbiology is such a vast and expanding field and has a little bit of everything in there and I could not be happier that I chose it. I had the opportunity in my final year to carry out a research project, supervised by some of UCD’s best scientists, on bioplastic producing bacteria and it was the highlight of my degree. It was a great way to put all the lab skills and techniques I had learned into practice and produce actual research. After I graduated, I started an MSc in Biotechnology and Business and am I looking forward to working in the biotechnology industry.

Jaffer Abdulkarim, Graduate