BSc in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Whitehall, Ireland
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 16,900 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* all non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited
** non-EU fee | €6,679: EU status fee | €2,543: student contribution
Are you a highly motivated independent student who is eager to challenge yourself in the different branches of chemistry?
Are you curious about how chemistry affects our world, both in nature and when it comes to preparing and using everyday materials such as polymers, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, flavours and fragrances. If that’s the case and you’re a highly motivated independent student who is eager to challenge yourself in the different branches of chemistry, this course is for you.
This course offers a compelling mix of technical knowledge and more hands-on practical experience than other similar courses, meaning you’ll be better prepared for the workforce or postgraduate study. During it, you’ll gain fundamental knowledge in organic, inorganic, physical, medicinal and analytical chemistry, along with practical lab skills and the ability to apply the theory you’ve learned. You’ll also build your creative, innovation and presentation skills.
Preparing for exciting future opportunities
In third year, you’ll do a four- to six-month INTRA work placement in industry or in academic labs, in Ireland or overseas. This will give you vital experience, and enable you to learn new skills and develop contacts that can often lead to employment opportunities after finishing your degree.
As a graduate you’ll be sought after in sectors such as the pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical, chemical/materials, specialty chemical, food and government laboratories. Typical roles could include process development, synthetic chemistry, formulation, regulatory affairs, quality control/assurance, analytical method development and medicinal chemistry. Others may go into teaching or patent law, while some decide to go on to further study for a masters or a doctorate.
Year 1
- Chemistry, Physics and Biology Laboratories
- Mathematics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Interdisciplinary Science
- Physics
Year 2
- Biomolecules and Metabolism
- Kinetics and Thermodynamics
- Spectroscopy and Physical Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Bio-organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Visualisation and Validation or Laboratory Data
- Organic / Physical / Inorganic Chemistry Laboratories
- Spectroscopic Workshop
- Mathematics
Year 3
- Separation Techniques
- Organic Chemistry
- Computational and Inorganic Chemistry
- Synthesis and Analysis of Pharmaceuticals (Laboratory)
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Formulation
- Data Analysis and Regulation
- Organometallics and Polymer Chemistry
- INTRA
Year 4
- Advanced Spectroscopy
- Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- Bioinspired Synthesis
- Drug Design Workshop
- Literature Survey
- Research Project
Year 4 Options
- Advanced Medicinal Chemistry
- Interfacial and Supramolecular Chemistry
Your opportunities are extensive both at home and abroad. Obviously, much will depend on your specialisations, but you can expect to fill positions such as process chemist, development chemist, analytical chemist and research chemist/scientist in diverse sectors such as the pharmaceutical, food and drink, brewing and fine chemical industries.
This course is also suitable for those who ultimately wish to pursue a career in teaching, as it is recognised by the Teaching Council to teach chemistry.
Postgraduate opportunities are also available.
Career Areas
- Education
- Fine Chemical Industries
- Food and Beverage
- Materials Industries
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastics
- Veterinary Industries
DCU Career Services
DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.