The news has never been better for students who opt for careers in science in Ireland. The Higher Education Authority is investing more than €1.5 billion in scientific research and development centres. Wyeth Biopharmaceutical is developing the world's largest biotech project in Clondalkin and expects to employ 1,300 people, mainly science graduates. Genzyme is building a plant in Waterford and expects to employ 480.
Abbot Ireland Ltd is investing more than €300 million in expanding its Irish operation, creating more than 500 jobs. Boston Scientific is also expanding its Irish base and will need up to 1,000 science graduates. Altana Pharma Ltd is building a €70 million pharmaceutical facility in east Cork, with the creation of 150 jobs for graduates of pharmaceutical production.
With these developments, one would expect the demand for science places at third level to be fierce. Nothing could be further from the truth. The points requirements for entry to all science programmes are in many cases the lowest for any of the faculties, averaging in the low 300s.
Opportunities in the sciences are vast. For many students generally interested in science, however, the choice of courses is confusing. For those with a specific area of interest, there is a wide variety of options.
Chemistry
Chemistry is concerned with the fundamental nature of matter - how atoms combine together to form molecules. It is divided into three broad areas: physical, organic and inorganic. Physical looks at chemical processes - how fast they go and how to make them faster. Organic is the story of carbon and its millions of compounds - it has given us painkillers such as aspirin, colouring dyes, and the entire plastics industry. Inorganic looks at the compounds that don't involve carbon, such as the role of iron in transporting oxygen around the body. Analytical chemistry is a vital area, especially in industries such as pharmaceuticals.
Courses can be divided into pure and applied chemistry. For example, UCD concentrates on pure chemistry although it also offers biochemistry. The DIT concentrates on applied chemistry. All the universities offer chemistry specialisations in their science degrees. Maynooth offers chemistry with pharmaceutical chemistry; UL offers pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry and industrial biochemistry; DCU chemical and pharmaceutical sciences; and TCD medicinal chemistry. UCC offers biological and chemical sciences (CK402) and chemical sciences (CK406). The ITs in Sligo, Athlone and Tallaght offer pharmaceutical science while Limerick combines this with forensic analysis. Athlone, Carlow, Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Sligo, Tallaght, Tralee, Limerick and Waterford ITs offer applied chemistry certificates. Athlone IT also offers a toxicology degree (AL033). For further information contact the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland: www.instituteofchemistry.org
Physics
Physicists look at matter and energy to discover how they behave, work and interact. Theoretical physicists seek to explore and solve the questions of how the universe began, and what it is made of. They seek to develop a rigorous understanding of the laws of the physical world, largely using maths.
Applied physicists operate in extremely practical areas. They develop advanced materials, new energy sources, medical equipment, and electronic and optical devices. UCC offers a general physics degree, Trinity and UCD theoretical physics, while Maynooth offers a combination with maths (MH206). UCD also offers experimental physics and mathematical physics. UL, Galway and DCU offer applied physics. DCU, Maynooth, Cork and Galway offer physics with astrophysics. Trinity offers physics and chemistry of advanced materials while UL offers biomedical and advanced materials. DCU offers physics with astronomy, and DIT physics technology (DT222) plus, at ordinary degree level, physical and life sciences. For further information contact the Institute of Physics in Ireland: www.tcd.ie/IOP/
Biology
Biologists study all living things, from the simplest, single-celled plant to highly complex multicelled animals, such as man. Biologists work in a variety of areas, from scientific research to conservation and environmental monitoring to technical work in the food and drinks industry. It is grouped with other life sciences such as microbiology and biochemistry. In science degrees biology is sub-divided into at least three areas - botany, animals and zoology. NUI Maynooth is one of the few universities offering a degree in biology (MH208) as well as genetics and bioinformatics (MH207). UCD offers botany, zoology and industrial microbiology. Many institutes of technology offer courses in applied biology, where aspects of the subject relevant to industry are studied. Biotechnology, where biology is applied to many areas, is available at degree level at DCU (DC181), Galway (GY304), and Maynooth (MH202). Human genetics (TR073) is offered by TCD, with genetics being offered by UCD and UCC. DCU offers genetic and cell biology (DC168). DIT offers an add-on programme in biochemistry and molecular biology for those with suitable ordinary degrees.
Certificate programmes in applied biology are offered by the following ITs: Athlone, Carlow, Cork, Dundalk, Galway Mayo, Letterkenny, Sligo, Tallaght, Tralee, Limerick and Waterford.
For further information contact the Institute of Biology in Ireland: www.may.ie/ibi
Agricultural science
UCD is particularly strong in this field, offering nine degree programmes. Agricultural science (DN010) students take common courses in basic sciences in first year, with the option of pursuing any of the following nine agricultural degrees in year two: animal and crop production; animal science; food and agribusiness management; applied environmental sciences; food science; engineering technology; horticulture landscape and sports turf management; landscape architecture; and forestry. Students may apply for any of these degrees directly in first year.
UCC offers programmes in nutritional science (CK504) and food business (CK501). This year they are introducing a new degree - food science and technology (CK506) - aimed at Third World development. DIT offers food technology/ pharmaceutical technology. Certificate programmes in agricultural science are offered by institutes of technology in Cork, Dundalk, Galway Mayo and Waterford. Ordinary degree programmes in horticulture are offered by Waterford and Blanchardstown ITs.
Increasing concern for the environment is addressed by the development of programmes such as applied environmental sciences in UCD; environmental science and health at DCU; environmental science at UCG, UL, and Sligo IT; environmental and earth systems sciences at UCC (CK404); and forensic and environmental science at DIT.
UCG has long been associated with the area of marine science, offering degrees in earth and ocean science and marine science.
For those interested in teaching, UL offers science with teaching (biology with physics or chemistry, or physics and chemistry). UCC students taking CK406 and 408 can take education modules in second year, with a view to pursuing a career as a teacher of physics and/or chemistry. DCU offers science education as well as a programme in sport science and health.
For those interested in health and safety issues, UCG offers a programme in health and safety systems while UCD offers occupational safety and health. This year UCC will be offering a new degree in public health and health promotion (CK706). DIT offers a course in human nutrition and dietetics. Students who fancy spending a year abroad as part of their science degree might consider science international at DCU.
Brian Mooney's column on CAO options will appear each weekday in the run-up to the deadline at the end of this month.
