Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science

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Overview

Delivered over 3 years the BSc Industrial Laboratory Science (NFQ Level 7) is designed to enable Level 5 students wishing to develop a career in industrial laboratory sciences entry to the field. Supporting access into relevant areas such as Biopharmaceutical, Pharmaceutical, Chemical Manufacturing, Medical Devices, and Independent Testing Laboratories. First year of this programme is undertaken within FET colleges and will include online modules delivered by ATU. On successful completion of Year 1, students will decide upon their specialism and continue their studies in their chosen ATU campus, where they will undertake modules on-campus and online. This programme is designed to meet the growing demand for a range of employees across the evolving bioindustry sector encompassing biopharma, pharma, medical devices, and other allied industries. Specialisms include:

Industrial Laboratory Science (Biopharmaceutical Science) ATU Donegal
Industrial Laboratory Science (Biochemistry) ATU Galway
Industrial Laboratory Science (Life Sciences) ATU Sligo

Provider Locations and Structure

Year 1 based in the following ETB location:

FET Centre, Letterkenny (Port Road)

Years 2 & 3 based in the following ATU campuses:

ATU Donegal (Biopharmaceutical Science),
ATU Galway City (Biochemistry)
ATU Sligo (Life Sciences)

Course Content – For All Years

Year 1
Students will attend lectures and laboratory sessions, in person at the ETB, for modules totalling (40 ECTS). These will cover core fundamental sciences, information technology, and essential skills. Additionally, students will take online modules delivered by ATU covering applied mathematics, measurement and calibration science, and science laboratory skills (supplemented with workshops) (20 ECTS).

Year 2
Students will attend ATU in person for lectures and laboratory sessions for modules (50 ECTS) covering analytical techniques, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, biomaterials and medical devices, environmental health and safety, plus online modules in job readiness and industrial professional practice (10 ECTS).

Year 3
Students attend ATU in person for lectures and laboratory sessions in more advanced modules (60 ECTS) covering core aspects of industrial laboratory science along with legal and regulatory topics (quality, auditing, compliance, etc.). It is envisaged that the proposed Level 7 Industrial Laboratory Science programme will have an integrated Level 6 (Higher Certificate) exit award. Holders of the Higher Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Science that have secured cognate employment with agreement of their employer could register for entry onto ATU’s one-year workplace-based learning programme, BSc Applied Industrial Sciences (60 ECTS).

Embedded Awards

This tertiary degree is a comprehensive 3 year programme. The programme is designed to support academic success despite challenges that may arise. If a student has to leave the programme before completing the final year, tertiary degrees include embedded awards. Embedded awards formally recognise learning achieved during time in the programme. For this degree, the embedded awards are:

After successfully completing Year 1	NFQ level 6 Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Science from ATU
After successfully completing Year 2	NFQ level 6 Higher Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Science (Biopharmaceutical Science) or Higher Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Science (Biochemistry) or Higher Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Science (Life Sciences) from ATU

The final NFQ level 7 Bachelor of Science in Industrial Laboratory Science (with Specialism) is awarded by ATU.

Planned Intake (Number of Places)

16 places per location

Entry Requirements and Eligibility

Leaving Certificate – Grade O6/H7 or better in five Leaving Certificate subjects. Leaving Certificate must include English or Irish and Mathematics.  Maths at minimum of O6 is acceptable to meet the minimum Maths entry requirement. Irish at F2 is acceptable to meet the minimum language requirements.

(UK and International equivalents will be considered)

A Full level 5/6 QQI award including a maths module (5N1833, 6N3395, 5N18396, 5N0556 or 5S2246) or O6 in Leaving Cert Maths

Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year). These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme)

Access programme (LCA students can gain access to this programme following completion of an access programme or QQI Level 5)

An applicant who is a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience. All applicants must demonstrate that they would qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028). See Appendix B.

Applicants must demonstrate competence to undertake the programme.

Onward Pathways

Graduates will have many requisite scientific and transversal skills and attributes necessary to work in industrial science and related careers. Graduates wishing to enter into the rapidly expanding life science sector, can work in settings such as laboratory science, manufacturing, quality assurance, validation, regulatory affairs, technical operations or analysis.

With a strong emphasis on acquiring practical skills and competencies plus the opportunity to undertake modules such as laboratory science skills, job readiness, laboratory professional practice, and placement, employability is a key feature of this programme irrespective of the ATU pathway followed.

Employed graduates of this programme would be ideally suited for further upskilling opportunities whilst employed, for example with the possibility of progressing onto the ATU Sligo Level 8 add-on workplace-based programme, BSc Hons Applied Industrial Science. This makes the student/graduate an attractive addition to the organisation where retention of the employee can be achieved through a defined career progression training plan.