BSc (Hons) in Biotechnology add-on

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biotechnology

Biotechnology is broadly defined as the use of biological processes of microbes, and of plants or animal cells for the benefit of humans.

The Government has placed considerable emphasis on the biotechnology industry and the country has had considerable success in attracting the leading international companies to locate in Ireland, including Abiomed and Amgen in recent years. In particular, the Government’s spatial and economic strategy for the Midlands envisages the development of life science and healthcare business in the region.

Given the scale of these developments, there is an enormous demand for trained personnel with the necessary skills, which AIT’s degrees in biotechnology provide. This add-on honours degree will provide you with training in bioprocessing technology, validation, analytical biotechnology and other skills specifically related to commercialisation of life sciences research.

This honours degree hosts a variety of new and exciting modules that prepare the student to seamlessly integrate into the industrial environment while fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship. The programme applies a blended learning approach to engage the student in activities that mimic real-life scenarios in the workplace. The student will learn how to use state-of-the-art instrumentation and will attain an understanding of the applications associated with equipment used.

Bioinformatics plays a pivotal role in the programme and the student will receive extensive training in accessing and retrieving nucleic acid and protein sequences from online databases, sequence alignment techniques, phylogenetic analysis, protein sequence analysis, protein structure analysis /visualisation and Perl programming. The programme will also allow the student to participate in field trips where they will visit some of the country’s top multinational laboratories.

The course includes modules in Bioinformatics, Bioprocess Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Analytical Biotechnology and Research Methods among others. A research project will compound the learning experience where the learner will develop critical decision making, time management and communication tools that will equip the student with vital management skills for future employment. 

Minimum Entry Requirements

Holders of an appropriate Bachelor of Science qualification or an equivalent Level 7 qualification are eligible to apply to join this programme

Modules

Bioprocess Technology, Bioinformatics, Analytical Biotechnology, Validation, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Good Manufacuring Practice, Regulatory Affairs & Legislation, Research Methods and Research Project.

Progression

An honours degree is an effective basis for postgraduate training and research leading to Master’s and PhD (Level 9/10) qualifications. Staff in the school or in the Careers’ Office can advise on the range of opportunities available at the institute, in Ireland and abroad for such postgraduate programmes. 

Professional Recognition

Career Opportunities

Irish biotechnology graduates can go on to work in a variety of areas including the health and agricultural sciences sector. This covers a wide variety of jobs including technical roles in immunodiagnostics, biopharmaceutical and drug development companies along with roles in governmental authorities, quality control and validation. Additionally, qualified students have engaged further in academia pursuing several postgraduate research opportunities. Former students studying this course have gone on to work in a variety of large and small multinational and indigenous companies including Abbott, Europharma Concepts and Reliance GeneMedix. 

Additional Information