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Engineering, Mathematics and Science
153
In the 3rd and 4th years, you will take a core course covering
aspects of microbial molecular and cell biology, microbial
pathogenicity and applied microbiology. As some of these topics
are closely related to biochemistry, immunology and genetics,
you will also take complementary courses from these disciplines.
Extensive laboratory and computer training cover the safe
handling of pathogenic micro-organisms, separation of their
components and products, genetic analysis, biotechnological
techniques and research methods.
In the final year you will also choose from optional courses
reviewing the leading edge of research and knowledge in topics
such as:
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Gene regulation and expression in bacteria and eukaryotic
microbes
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Bacterial cell surfaces and their proteins
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Molecular pathogenesis (disease mechanisms) of bacterial
and protozoal infections
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Regulation, issues and standards in current microbiological
practice
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Clinical microbiology
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Emerging pathogens
In the final year, you will also undertake a 9-week, full-time
project under supervision in a research laboratory.
You
will work at the cutting-edge of research on topics like genetic
transfer between bacteria, design of new anti-malarial drugs,
and novel methods for disinfection in hospitals.
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 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.
Further information
Tel: +353 1 8961190
Molecular medicine
Students who wish to study Molecular medicine apply to
the Science degree (TR071) and may select Molecular
medicine as their specialist area for the 3rd and 4th years.
Junior Freshman (first year) prerequisites: Chemistry
CH1101 and Chemistry CH1102. Also, Mathematics or
Mathematical methods. Recommended: Biology 1101
Senior Freshman (second year) prerequisites: Biology
BY2201, BY2203, BY2205 and BY2208.
For details of the first two years of the Science course,
including entry requirements, see page 140.
What is Molecular medicine?
Molecular medicine is a joint degree programme offered by
the School of Biochemistry and Immunology and the School
of Medicine and has been inspired by the changing needs of
medical research. It is a unique collaboration between the two
schools, aimed at creating a science programme with a strong
emphasis on translational research, i.e. a theory to therapy
approach to learning whereby medical research advances can
be directly translated into patient care.
Molecular medicine at Trinity College is the only such degree
programme available in Ireland. Students will be given lectures
at the cutting-edge of current scientific knowledge within
the overarching research themes of cancer, immunology,
neuroscience, genetics and microbiology, in addition to clinical
lectures given at St. James’s Hospital, which will focus on the
application of research knowledge to the clinic.
What will you study?
In the Junior Sophister (third) year, the molecular medicine
course will provide a broad knowledge and understanding of
various fundamental science disciplines, biochemistry, cell
biology, immunology, genetics and microbiology and some topics
unique to the molecular medicine course as listed below.
Molecular medicine topics include:
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Clinical aspects of cancer and infection
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Stem cells and gene therapy
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Drug adsorption and metabolism
Science topics include:
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Endocrinology
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Membrane function
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Cellular regulation
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Immunology
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Protein chemistry
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Eukaryotic gene structure
