Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Chemistry  (CHS1)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Chemistry
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Professor Dermot Brougham
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 4
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 3: 50
Stage 4: 60

Curricular information is subject to change.

If you are interested in doing an Internship as part of Stage 4, you must indicate your interest now (in Stage 3).
See full details www.ucd.ie/science/careers/internships/students/

The aim of the programme is to provide a broadly-based education in the knowledge and skills needed by students to pursue careers in the range of sectors underpinned by chemical science and technology.  Graduates from this programme will have the capacity to apply their chemical knowledge and skills, creativity, and critical thinking, to solve problems of scientific and social importance, and to generate new knowledge. We provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment, in which students develop their knowledge and understanding of Chemistry as an enabling science.  Immersed in a research-intensive environment, located in state-of-the-art facilities, students will work individually and in teams, and engage in cutting-edge projects that will hone their critical thinking, communications, autonomous learning, and technical skills.  In addition to lectures, laboratory classes and tutorials, we use a range of student-centred, active-learning activities, including workshops, seminars, and team-based projects, culminating in research projects in which students are embedded in academic research teams to work on leading-edge problems.  Both the core material and the transferrable skills acquired in the programme are assessed, using a range of techniques, including assessment of laboratory skills and reports, assessment of presentations, assessment of team work, and assessment of a research thesis and of an oral thesis defense, in addition to in-class tests and written examinations.


1 - Demonstrate a broad and balanced knowledge and appreciation of key concepts in chemistry.
2 - Carry out a range of modern experimental procedures safely and effectively.
3 - Apply their theoretical and practical skills, and adopt a rigorous and rational approach, to solve problems in the field.
4 - Engage imaginatively, analytically, and creatively with the molecular basis of matter to understand the materials and processes inherent in the natural world.
5 - Predict, design and develop the new materials and processes that will be critical to promoting and ensuring health and well-being, and sustainable global progress and prosperity.
6 - Design and implement efficient, safe and sustainable methods for the synthesis of molecules and materials.
7 - Develop and employ quantitative methods for the measurement, characterisation, and analysis of the structure and dynamics of molecular systems.
8 - Understand the nature of scientific research and be able to design, plan and execute research projects.
9 - Demonstrate an intellectual, critical, ethical and professional approach to Chemistry, and in their thinking generally.
10 - Demonstrate an aptitude for life-long, self-directed learning as well as collaborative learning in professional settings throughout their careers.
11 - Exhibit the potential for taking leadership roles in their future careers, and in addressing complex societal and global challenges.

Students’ performance will be reviewed at the end of the academic year. Students who fail 50% or more of their registered modules, and who fail to progress to the next stage of their programme, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic progress policy. Students’ performance will continue to be reviewed in subsequent trimesters and students will be invited to meetings with the College of Science office for support and guidance.

Where the rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable, a case will be submitted to the Governing Board for review. A recommendation for discontinuation may be the outcome of this review.

As Stages 3 and 4 have the most dynamic components of the programme, and the material studied previously may no longer be relevant, a student who has been away from the programme for a significant period should be required to register again to Stage 3. The upper limit for completion of Stages 3 and 4 should be six years if they choose to do 120 credits with 20 in each year.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Information & Communication Technology
  • Numeracy
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Project management
  • Creativity
  • Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
  • Global awareness
  • Social responsibility
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career development initiatives with UCD Careers Network
  • Career and professional development e.g. internships and work placements
  • Professional accreditations
  • Cultural awareness, resilience and self-confidence e.g. Study Abroad/ERASMUS
  • Enhancing digital literacy skills
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
  • Development of self-reflection skills
  • Creativity and entrepreneurship e.g. elective modules at UCD Innovation Academy


Stage 3

-Students take ten core modules.
Additional modules may be selected from the Option Modules list below or alternatively, students may select 10 credits from elective modules.
If you are interested in doing an Internship as part of Stage 4, you must indicate your interest now (in Stage 3). See full details www.ucd.ie/science/careers/internships/students/

Stage 4

-Students take the research project and six core modules (50 credits) and two options (10 credits).

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 3 Core Modules
CHEM30060 Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Spectroscopy Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30110 Instrumental Analysis Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30200 Carbonyl Chemistry, Retrosynthesis and Synthetic Methods Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30210 Structure Determination and Aromatic Heterocyclic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30220 Mechanism, Stereochemistry and Alicyclic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30230 Symmetry and Computational Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30250 Organometallic and Solid State Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30310 Soft Matter & Interfacial Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30320 Chemical Thermodynamics & Physical Transformations Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
CHEM30360 Advanced Transition Metal Chem Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Option Modules
CHEM30090 Chemistry of Materials Autumn  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Option Modules
CHEM20110 Env & Sustainable Chemistry Spring  5
Stage 3 Options - A) Min 0 of:
Option Modules
CHEM30190 Chemistry of Biomolecules Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM40030 Research Project 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  20
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM40090 Methods in Organic Synthesis 2 Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM40110 Advanced Applications of Inorganic Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM40740 Electrochemistry Autumn  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM40060 Methods in Organic Synthesis Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM40080 Reactivity and Change Spring  5
Stage 4 Core Modules
CHEM41430 Advanced Topics in Phys Chem Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM40050 Metals in Biology Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM40870 Nanomaterials Chemistry Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM40960 Green and Sustainable Chem Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM41290 Modern techniques to monitor b Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
SCI30080 Professional Placement-Science Autumn  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM40140 Modern Methods and Applications of Catalysis Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM40290 Special topics in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology (level 4) Spring  5
Stage 4 Options - A)2 of:
Students must select two options from the list below. Students who have successfully completed SCI30080 (Professional Placement) will be manually registered to the module by the relevant School.
CHEM41450 Sustainable Development Chemistry Spring  5

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHSCI001 Stage 4 - 70.00%
Stage 3 - 30.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47