This programme is aimed at students who wish to equip themselves with a fundamental knowledge of Cell and Molecular Biology and how molecular processes contribute to our understanding of whole organisms, particularly in the context of health and disease. Graduates from the Cell and Molecular Biology programme will have the knowledge and skills to pursue further education (MSc and PhD) and/or careers in bio-pharmaceutical and health-related industries, including laboratories in hospitals and universities, diagnostics, forensics, education, science communication, and administration. We provide a friendly learning environment with state-of-the-art facilities that encourage students to be active, motivated, and autonomous learners. Key elements in the programme’s design include lectures, laboratory classes, tutorials and small group discussions that explore contemporary and emerging themes in cell biology. The programme is delivered by internationally recognised experts in their respective fields, and informed by their research. In order to gain advanced experimental skills in cell and molecular biology, students engage in a 12-week research project in their final year. Additionally, students are encouraged to gain further experience through internships or research placements in Irish and international research institutes.

1 - An understanding of the cellular and molecular processes underpinning the structure and function of cells
2 - A core understanding of how cells contribute to whole organism function, with particular relevance to health and disease
3 - Hands-on experience of the technical approaches used in Cell and Molecular Biology experiments
4 - Fundamental knowledge of the principles and practice of biological imaging and its importance in understanding cellular function
5 - The ability to collect, organise, and interpret datasets generated in Cell and Molecular Biology experiments
6 - An understanding of the role of different sources of information (textbooks, primary literature, reviews, seminars, and internet-based sources) in informing the study of Cell and Molecular Biology
7 - The maturity to critically appraise the scientific literature in a largely autonomous manner
8 - Skills for communicating concepts in Cell and Molecular Biology to specialist and non-specialist audiences in a clear and unambiguous way
9 - Skills in decision making, time management, and teamwork
10 - Appreciation of the discipline of Cell and Molecular Biology in the wider life sciences

Students who return failing grades in a trimester amounting to 15 credits, or more, will be identified under the UCD Continuation – Academic Progress policy. Students whose rate of progression and performance over two academic years is deemed unacceptable will be referred to the Governing Board to be reviewed for exclusion from the programme.
Students who fail to progress from the stage of the programme they are registered to for more than two academic years (except where a period of Leave of Absence has been granted for one of those years) will also be contacted under the Continuation – Academic Progress Policy.
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.

Graduates of the Medicinal Chemistry & Chemical Biology degree will be equipped with the skills to pursue a career in:

• Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals
• Food technology companies
• Cosmetic technology companies
• Fine chemical and chemical development
• Patenting

Graduates can also pursue a PhD in Ireland or abroad in areas such as chemistry, chemical biology, or medicinal chemistry.

- Students take 7 core modules and at least 3 options. Students may select additional modules from within the BSc programme to complete Stage 3 registration. Alternatively, 10 credits may be selected 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/

Students must take 60 credits from within the BSc programme.

Module ID	Module Title	Trimester	Credits
Stage 3 Core Modules
BIOL30040	Scientific Writing for Biology	Autumn	5
CELB30110	Plant Cell Biology	Autumn	5
GENE30010	Genetics and Recombinant DNA	Autumn	5
BIOL30030	Working with Biological Data	Spring	5
CELB30090	Advanced Cell Biology	Spring	5
CELB30100	Developmental Biology	Spring	5
CELB30120	Hot Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology	Spring	5
Stage 3 Core Modules
Stage 3 Options - A)3OF: Students select three option modules from the list below
BMOL30030	Regulation of Gene Expression	Autumn	5
BMOL30040	Receptor-mediated cell signalling	Autumn	5
CELB30130	Cell Biology of Disease	Autumn	5
ZOOL30030	Evolutionary Biology	Autumn	5
BMOL30050	Genomics and Proteomics	Spring	5
BOTN30130	Plant Biotechnology & Entrepreneurship	Spring	5
GENE30020	Genome Structure and Evolution	Spring	5
GENE30030	Genetic Basis of Disease	Spring	5
Stage 3 Options - A)3OF: Students select three option modules from the list below
Stage 4 Options - A)1OF: Students select either the Research Project (BIOL 40360) or the Critical Literature Review (BIOL 40870). For students selecting BIOL 40360, this 20 credit project module is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. For students selecting BIOL 40870, this 15 credit critical literature review is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. Students should bear this in mind when selecting option modules and balance their workload across trimesters.
BIOL40360	Research Project	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	20
BIOL40870	Critical Literature Review	2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)	15
Stage 4 Options - A)1OF: Students select either the Research Project (BIOL 40360) or the Critical Literature Review (BIOL 40870). For students selecting BIOL 40360, this 20 credit project module is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. For students selecting BIOL 40870, this 15 credit critical literature review is spread over two trimesters, but about 10 credits worth of work is expected to be done in Autumn. Students should bear this in mind when selecting option modules and balance their workload across trimesters.
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: Students who select BIOL 40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL 40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI 30080 will be registered by the School to the module.
BIOL40560	Biological Imaging	Autumn	5
CELB40020	Developmental Plant Genetics	Autumn	5
CELB40190	Advanced Cancer Cell Biology and Genetics	Autumn	5
SCI30080	Professional Placement-Science	Autumn	5
ZOOL40040	Molecular Phylogenetics - Powers and Pitfalls	Autumn	5
ZOOL40300	Epithelial Transport in Animal Physiology	Autumn	5
BIOL40760	Biomedical Diagnostics	Spring	5
CELB40030	Programmed Cell Death in Plants	Spring	5
CELB40200	The RNA World	Spring	5
GENE40040	Model organism genetics: a modern experimental approach	Spring	5
GENE40050	Human Genetics & Disease	Spring	5
GENE40090	Epigenetics	Spring	5
Stage 4 Options - B)MIN0OF: Students who select BIOL 40360 from List A should take 8 option modules from List B. Students who select BIOL 40870 from List A should take 9 option modules from List B. Please note that students who successfully completed SCI 30080 will be registered by the School to the module.

		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