Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
The Science Programme Website: https://www.tcd.ie/Science/ or contact the Science Course Office at science@tcd.ie
Science Course Office, East End 4-5 Ground floor, Hamilton Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 Ph: +353 1 8962022
Please contact the Academic Registry regarding entry criteria and application queries at the following link https://www.tcd.ie/study/ or you can write to the following:
The Academic Registry
Watts Building
Trinity College
Dublin 2
or Telephone +353 1 8964444
or Email: academic.registry@tcd.ie
Please contact the Academic Registry regarding Mature entry criteria at the following Mature Student Office Website.
Please contact the Admissions Office regarding the Trinity Access Programme criteria at admissions@tcd.ie. Please also see the Trinity Access Programme website.
Science at Trinity is offered through the following courses - CAO codes are;
- TR060 Biological & Biomedical Sciences
- TR061 Chemical Sciences
- TR062 Geography & Geosciences T
- R063 Physical Sciences
Each degree is a four-year honours degree programme which, after two years of foundational scientific training, leads to specialisations in one of the subjects listed after each course: -
TR060 Biological and Biomedical Sciences: Biochemistry, Botany, Environmental Sciences, Genetics, Human Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Molecular Medicine, Neuroscience, Physiology, Zoology.
TR061 Chemical Sciences: Chemistry, Chemistry with Biosciences, Chemistry with Molecular Modelling, Medicinal Chemistry, Nanoscience.
TR062 Geography and Geoscience: Geography, Geoscience
TR063 Physical Sciences: Physics, Physics and Astrophysics, Nanoscience.
Two other Science degree courses are related to those above: Mathematics (TR031) and Theoretical Physics (TR035) also fall within the Science area but these degree courses are not covered by the questions and answers below.
Science Degree CAO minimum entry Points 2022
- TR060 Biological & Biomedical Sciences 566*
- TR061 Chemical Sciences 543*
- TR062 Geography & Geosciences 487*
- TR063 Physical Sciences 524*
*Not all Applicants at this level were offered places*
Yes, students may apply for two or more science courses in order of preference on the CAO form. The specific science subject requirements are the same for each science stream.
No, not if you are driven by a natural curiosity about the physical and biological world about you. Above all, make sure that the third-level course you select is a course that really does interest you. It is foolish to apply for 'high-points' courses like medicine or law if you are not intent on spending your life working in these areas. If you have very high points and choose a Science degree course out of interest, your chances of success, both intellectual and financial, in your chosen field are outstanding.
No. In the first and second years you must take 60 credits in modules from the following:
TR060 Biological and Biomedical Sciences: Core modules: Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics. Optional modules: Geosciences; Foundation Physics; Science Education and Communication.
TRO61 Chemical Sciences: Core modules: Chemistry; Mathematics
Optional modules: Biology, Foundation Physics, Physics
TR062 Geography and Geoscience: Core modules: Geography, Geology, Geoscience, Mathematics
Optional modules: Human Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Foundation Physics
TR063 Physical Sciences: Core modules: Physics, Mathematics
Optional modules: Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences
Each science programme consists of core modules in your main subject area with the option to take modules from outside of your core subjects, which builds breadth into the curriculum.
The capstone project, an independent piece of research that you complete in your final year, is a wonderful opportunity for students studying science at Trinity to make an original contribution to their subject by working with scientists who are world-renowned specialists in their field.
You will complete 40 credits of core or compulsory modules and can then take 20 credits of open modules from a selection. In most cases, your choice of open modules has no impact on your ability to study any of the moderatorship subjects on offer in your stream, with a few exceptions, e.g. students who wish to specialise in nanoscience must take the full 20 credits in Physics, 20 credits in Mathematics and 20 credits in Chemistry in the Freshman years. Advice on which modules to choose will be given during orientation and throughout each of the four years of the degree.
Yes - in fact you may have to. The Geography and Geology courses start from scratch, and Biology does not require previous knowledge (though it helps). Physics and Chemistry are generally found to be more difficult without previous knowledge, although Physics provide dedicated small group tutorials and Chemistry provide additional support for students who have not taken Chemistry in the leaving certificate. However, there are customised Chemistry modules for students studying Biological and Biomedical sciences.
You will attend about 12 hours of lectures and 12 hours of laboratory work per week for 24 weeks. As a rough guide, the same time again will be needed to read, to write up practical classes, and to study alone.
Yes. Demand may exceed the number of places in some courses. However, in recent years, the vast majority of students who have performed reasonably well in the second year (at least 60-69% II-1 grade or -above) have gotten their first preference of degree options, although this is never a guarantee.
Every student in Trinity is allocated a tutor with whom you can discuss any issues of concern. Tutors are members of the academic teaching staff who take on the additional role of helping students through any difficulties. Alternatively, you can call into the Science Course Office where we will be available to answer any questions regarding the course.
Transferring to one of the other streams may be possible but will depend on the points required for that course, whether there is spare capacity, the modules taken by the student in the first year and previous subjects taken at secondary school. Applications will therefore be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Transferring to another course is sometimes possible but is never easy so you should do everything you can to ensure that you are likely to enjoy your chosen course. Read all available information, talk to teachers and, if possible, to former students who have recently completed the course.
A Science degree is a passport to many jobs. The core skills of critical thinking and problem solving that come with a scientific education, as well as data handling and analysis, communication skills and specific technical knowledge in a chosen field, mean science graduates are in very high demand. Your degree may lead to analytical or research work in industry or the state sector. It also opens up a wide range of other employment opportunities such as teaching, medicine, information technology, financial services, consultancies, journalism, and marketing. Many graduates choose to take a higher degree - and many will end up in jobs that have not been created yet!
Yes! Student societies exist to promote sports, debating, and many other social and cultural activities. You should make a point of getting seriously involved in one or two (but probably not more) societies, to meet people and unwind from the intensity of academic study. It's good for your CV too! You can find more information about Trinity clubs and societies at the following link http://www.trinitysocieties.ie/