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Microbiology

BSc (NFQ Level 8)
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This course is available through the following application route(s)

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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.

About This Course

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).

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. As we offer a number of degree subjects in each stream, students have a number of similar degree subjects to choose from and if a degree subject is oversubscribed, places are allocated on a competitive basis. For more information on choosing a degree subject 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.


UCD Science Office

You can contact the UCD Science Office in the following ways:




  • Submit your query using our dedicated Contact Form.

  • Drop into the office in the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, Science East, Room E1.09. Our office opening hours are 10am to 4pm (during term time).


Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20060 Biomolecular Lab Skills 1 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20090 Molecular Genetics and Biotech Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20110 Biomolecular Sciences Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
BMOL20070 Biomolecular Lab Skills 2 Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
MICR20050 Microbiology in Medicine, Biotechnology and the Environment Spring  5
Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
CHEM20090 is a CORE MODULE for students who wish to progress with any subject in the BBB stream. Students registered to, or who have taken, both CHEM20080 and CHEM20100, are not required to take CHEM20090. Students who are unable to register to CHEM20090 should contact the Science Office.
CHEM20090 Chemistry for Biology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
BMOL30030 Regulation of Gene Expression Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MICR30030 Microbial Physiology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MICR30040 Microbial Diversity and Growth Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MICR30070 Skills in Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
ENVB30100 Ecological and Environmental Microbiology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MEMI30010 Medical Microbiology Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MICR30020 Microbial Cell Factory Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
MICR30060 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
BMOL30090 Immunology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
BSEN40410 Food Chain Integrity Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
GENE30060 Undergraduate Research 1 Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
MEIN30240 Bioinformatics Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
STAT20070 Data Modelling for Science Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
ZOOL30030 Evolutionary Biology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
BMOL30050 Genomics and Proteomics Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
BMOL30100 Leading Teams in the Scientific Enterprise Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
CHEM30190 Chemistry of Biomolecules Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 2 of:
Students should select 2 modules from this list.
GENE30070 Undergraduate Research 2 Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
ENVB40480 Applied Microbial Ecology Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MICR40040 Microbial Pathogenicity Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MICR40060 Microbial and Mammalian Cell Bioprocessing Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MICR40070 Enzyme Technology and Protein Engineering Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MICR40080 Microbial Natural Product Biosynthesis Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
MICR40090 Systems Biology of Microorganisms Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select one module from Set A.
BMOL40090 Research Project (Erasmus) 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  25
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select one module from Set A.
BMOL40200 Industry Research Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  25
Stage 4 Options - A) Min 1 of:
Students select one module from Set A.
MICR40030 Microbiology Research Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  20
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students who take MICR40030 must take BOTH MICR40050 and MEMI40010. Students who take BMOL40200 or BMOL40090 must take MICR40150.
MEMI40010 Host-Pathogen Interactions and Medical Microbiology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students who take MICR40030 must take BOTH MICR40050 and MEMI40010. Students who take BMOL40200 or BMOL40090 must take MICR40150.
MICR40050 Microbiology of Foodborne Pathogens Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - B) Min 1 of:
Students who take MICR40030 must take BOTH MICR40050 and MEMI40010. Students who take BMOL40200 or BMOL40090 must take MICR40150.
MICR40150 Host Pathogen Interaction Autumn  5

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

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

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Microbiology:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceInt BLS1
Science: Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Closed
showAudience-audienceInt SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2024
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Closed
showAudience-audienceInt BLS1
Science: Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceInt SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Undergraduate Degree (Non EU)
Non EU Undergraduates
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU DN200
Science: Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO Apply via CAO
showAudience-audienceEU DN200
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Application through CAO Apply via CAO
* you can change options at the top of the page

Additional special entry route(s) to Microbiology:

These options have additional eligibility requirements to cater for specific applicant cohorts. You should not apply via these routes before consulting the requirements or contacting the responsible UCD office.

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt SCU1
Science
Bachelor of Science
Full-Time

Commencing September 2025
Access Progression Pathway
Access Progression Pathway
Application to this Non-EU Access Progression Pathway is by invitation only. If you are not currently enrolled on an Access programme at UCD, your application will be marked as invalid.
If you are not a current Access student, but you are a non-EU applicant seeking admission to an undergraduate degree, please submit an application via the "Undergraduate Degree (Non-EU)" course type.
Apply