Microbiology: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

B.A. (Moderatorship) Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)
4 Years Full-Time
CAO Points 555 (2023)
CAO Code TR060

Overview

What is Microbiology?

Microbiology is the study of the structures and life processes of micro-organisms (such as bacteria, protists, fungi, and viruses) together with their activities and effects, beneficial and detrimental, on plants, animals, humans, and the environment. It also studies the control of these effects and the harnessing of microbial processes for applications in biotechnology. A microbiologist is a versatile scientist and studies microbes at both cellular and molecular levels, using a wide range of techniques, and will also be proficient in microbial biochemistry and genetics.

Do you enjoy...

  • Conducting research?
  • Doing laboratory work?
  • Analysing problems and formulating solutions?

Microbiology: The course for you?

The Microbiology course reflects the diversity of research excellence within the department, which is home to world-renowned experts in all aspects of microbiology including virology, infection biology, biotechnology, bacterial molecular biology, and fungal genetics. The Microbiology degree ensures students gain first hand practical experience in the laboratory in all aspects of microbiology.

Microbiology at Trinity

If you study Microbiology at Trinity you will be based in the historic Moyne Institute. The Microbiology department offers an intimate atmosphere where frequent interaction between staff and students fosters an intellectually stimulating and friendly environment for teaching and learning. To provide the extensive laboratory experience on offer, the Moyne Institute houses state of the art research and teaching laboratories containing all the equipment and expertise required for modern molecular and cellular microbiology.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

Graduates in microbiology have a wide range of expertise and are considered versatile scientists for industry or pure research. This makes them sought after by pharmaceutical and medical research laboratories as research and quality assurance staff in drug and medical device manufacture, as analytical or Research and Development (R&D) staff by the food and beverage industries, by public utilities, the health service, by teaching and training establishments and publishing houses, in life science sales and product development, medical relief organisations and many other areas. Such employment may find you working with multinational or small companies in Ireland or abroad, working with leading-edge biotechnologies in the production of drugs, enzymes, antibiotics, vaccines or agricultural products. Many graduates go on to do a higher degree in Ireland or abroad and enter a rewarding career in many of the areas mentioned or continue a research career in a university.

Your degree and what you’ll study

Third year

Core modules cover all aspects of modern microbiology and include: Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry; Pathogenicity and Immunology; Bacterial Molecular Biology and Genetics; Eukaryotic Molecular Biology and Genetics; and Applied Microbiology. Each module comprises lecture and laboratory components. The extensive laboratory training covers the safe handling of pathogenic microorganisms, separation of their components and products, genetic analysis and biotechnological techniques.

Fourth year

In the final year, alongside advanced core microbiology modules, you will also choose from optional modules reviewing the leading edge of research and knowledge in topics such as: gene regulation and expression in bacteria and eukaryotic microbes; molecular pathogenesis (disease mechanisms) of infectious disease; regulation, issues and standards in current microbiological practice; clinical microbiology; virology; emerging pathogens and host-microbiome interactions.

In final year, you will also undertake a nine-week, full-time Capstone project under supervision in a research laboratory. You will work at the cutting-edge of research on topics like bacterial and fungal synthetic biology, design of new anti-microbial drugs, viral pathogenicity, immunology, and novel methods for disinfection in hospitals.

Click here for further information on modules/subject.

Study abroad and internship opportunities

For students wishing to study abroad, Microbiology staff can offer advice on how to seek funding for summer vacation placements from external sources such as the Wellcome Trust and the Microbiology Society. You can also see your options at: www.tcd.ie/study/study-abroad/outbound/options

Study Microbiology (as part of Biological Sciences) at Trinity

Dr Kim Roberts and Dr Sinead Corr, Assistant Professors of Virology and Microbiology, discuss the study of Microbiology at undergraduate level in Trinity College Dublin.

Course Details

Awards

B.A. (Moderatorship) Honours Bachelor Degree (NFQ Level 8)

CAO Information

CAO Points 555 (2023) CAO Code TR060
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Course Options

Students who wish to study Microbiology should apply to the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (TR060) and may select Microbiology as their specialist area for the third and fourth years of their degree.

Related courses:

Science - TR060 Biological and Biomedical Sciences 

Science - TR061 Chemical Sciences 

Science - TR062 Geography and Geoscience 

Science - TR063 Physical Sciences

Admission Requirements

To see admissions requirements for this course, view the main Biological and Biomedical Sciences course page

Course Fees

Click here for a full list of undergraduate fees

Apply

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

EU Applicants

Read the information about how to apply, then apply directly to CAO.

    Non-EU Applicants

    Advanced Entry Applications

    Read the information about how to apply for Advanced Entry, then select the link below to apply.

      Get in Touch

      microbiology@tcd.ie

      Website

      www.tcd.ie/microbiology

      Register Your Interest

      Register your interest in studying at Ireland’s leading university, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin.

      Register Your Interest

      Specialising in Microbiology during my degree was an interesting and rewarding experience. The atmosphere is friendly, and the lecturers were knowledgeable and approachable. Employers appreciate the varied and challenging nature of the course, as it gives students a good grounding in many aspects of the industrially-relevant subject of Microbiology. I subsequently undertook a Ph.D. in the Yeast Chromatin Research Group in the School of Microbiology and Genetics and worked as a Technical Support Scientist at Abbott Diagnostics Division in Longford, Ireland. I am currently working as a research scientist at the Stowers Research Institute in Kansas, US.

      Michael Church

      Graduate