What is the Course about?

The Higher Certificate in Science provides students with a grounding in scientific knowledge and skills. More than 50% of the course is dedicated to practical laboratory work, enabling students to gain essential laboratory skills.

The course is designed to provide graduates with theoretical knowledge and understanding, and the practical skills necessary to pursue technical careers in a modern scientific environment in the areas of industrial chemistry, pharmaceutical manufacture, scientific instrumentation, quality control, food science and technology.

Course Structure

This course has a shared first year and in Year 2, students choose to specialise in either Applied Biology or Applied Chemistry.

Course options

Applied Biology

The course features specialist biology modules including: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Quantitative Methods and Quality Control, Instrumentation and Computing, and Analytical Techniques/Pharmaceutical Science.

Applied Chemistry

The course features specialist chemistry modules including: Organic, Physical and Analytical Chemistry; Quantitative Methods and Quality Control; Instrumentation and Computing; Pharmaceutical Science and Biomolecules.

Is this course for you?

If you have an interest in science but you are unsure of what area you want to study then this course will help you decide. Students study biology, chemistry and physics and have the option of continuing their study on any of our Level 7 and Level 8 courses.

Special Features:

• More than 50% of the course is dedicated to practical, enabling students to gain essential
  laboratory skills.
• A common first year with the option to specialise in Year 2 in either Biology or Chemistry.
• Graduates are eligible to progress to Year 3 of the Bachelor of Science in Analytical Science (CW107) in the case of the Chemistry stream and Year 3 of the Bachelor of Science in Biosciences (CW117) in the case of the Biology Stream.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Many students choose to continue their studies at Institute of Technology Carlow to degree level, studying Biosciences, Analytical Science, Pharmaceutics and Drug Formulation.