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Human health and disease

  • Course Type: Undergraduate
  • Course Code: TR056
  • No. of Places: 35
  • Min Entry Points 2012: 540* points
  • Duration: 4 Year(s) Full Time
  • Award: B.Sc.
  • Specific Entry Requirements: See requirements
  • How to apply: See how to apply

Apply

To apply to this course, click on the relevant Apply Link below

Non-EU Applicants

What is Human health and disease?

The Human health and disease degree brings to life the fascinating connections between structure and function in the human body. It explores the health and disease continuum in depth, including teaching on how medical therapies act to treat or even prevent disease. For example, understanding brain structure and biochemistry allows us to appreciate how neurones communicate and this in turn is helping biomedical researchers and clinicians to identify new and effective ways to treat and prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease.

A central feature of the learning experience is the development of a core set of real-life, transferable skills in the following areas; laboratory technique, group project work, data analysis, public presentation, report writing, research methodology and critical thinking.

Is this the right course for you?

The programme will suit you if you want to obtain a degree that provides comprehensive instruction in all aspects of basic human biology and applied biomedical science.

Course overview

The degree is structured around three main interconnecting themes namely; 1) Basic human biology 2) Applied biomedical science and 3) Transferable skills and TCD graduate attributes.

The Freshman (first two) years

You will study the structure and function of the human body from a 'molecule to man' perspective through lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes in cell biology, biochemistry, physiology and anatomy (including dissection). Modules based on critical thinking, problem-based learning, presentation skills and research and statistics will further contribute to the development of a core skill set, as outlined above.

The Sophister (third and fourth) years

In the third and fourth years, a combination of modules which cover the nature, classification, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease are taken. Disease is considered from the basic molecular level through to its context in society in terms of research and public health priorities and correlates. Delivery of clinically focused material by specialist clinicians is included.

As a fourth-year student, you will undertake advanced modules on the molecular basis of disease and cutting-edge advances in biomedical science. A major component of the fourth year will be a comprehensive laboratory-based project in biomedical research supervised by leading researchers in Trinity College and its affiliated teaching hospitals in Dublin or The Karolinska Institutet. Project topics are varied and include; cancer biology, investigation of brain disorders; tissue engineering; exercise and rehabilitation; gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune disease, epidemiology and public health research to name but a few.

Assessment

Individual and group based continuous assessment of laboratory work, group project work, scientific writing skills and portfolio generation accompanies end-of-year examinations.

Did you know?

  • The School of Medicine in Trinity College is a member of EuroLife, a consortium of leading European medical schools that aims to enhance research and training in the medical sciences that underpin developments in human healthcare.
  • The Human health & disease degree programme is linked with the Biomedicine Bachelor's programme at the prestigious Karolinska Insititutet in Stockholm Sweden. Through a formal ERASMUS exchange agreement, Human health & disease students can, on a competitive basis, avail of the opportunity to complete their final year project in Stockholm in one of the institute's leading laboratories.

Career opportunities

The course emphasises the crucial links between the basic and applied biomedical sciences and addresses how advances in both are translated into improvements in patient care and the health of the wider population. Graduates are therefore ideally qualified to participate in health-related research or health promotion within academia or industry. Graduates are also ideally trained for entry to graduate medical degree programmes. A B.Sc. is also an appropriate qualification for entry into a broad range of other careers (e.g. teaching and management).

Further information

Contact: Dr Neil Docherty, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine

E-mail: dochertn@tcd.ie
Tel: +353 1 896 2076

Specific Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate HC3 Biology
HC3 In one of physics, chemistry, physics/chemistry
Advanced GCE (A-Level)Grade C Biology
Grade C In one of physics, chemistry

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Last updated 19 November 2012 by admissions@tcd.ie.