Veterinary Bioscience

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Veterinary Bioscience student tending to cattle
Veterinary Bioscience student tending to cattle
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
16
Duration
4 Years
Course Code
MT 881
Entry Requirements
300 Points in 2023 and meet minimum entry requirements as listed below.
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Kerry South Campus, Kerry
Course NFQ Level
Level 8

Dr Gerard Corkery

T: +353 66 714 5610

Email: (email)

Overview

Our biological science degree in Veterinary Bioscience has a major focus on animal health, disease and diagnostics. The veterinary biosciences discipline is experiencing significant growth, both nationally and internationally, due to increased demand for diagnostics to underpin animal health and disease management.

The research-led curriculum will provide you with an excellent understanding of the key elements of biology, health and disease in both production animals (cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry) and companion animals (dogs, cats and horses), and the tools to provide diagnostics strategies for the prevention, recognition and control of animal diseases. The degree is delivered by leading life- scientists and practicing veterinarians, who will guide you through your learning, from developing a practical understanding of animals and how they function, to veterinary pharmaceutical, advanced laboratory diagnostic and research skills in animal health.

The programme’s emphasis on animal health and veterinary diagnostics is supported by practical, hands-on experience and interaction with animals throughout, a dedicated work placement programme in year three, and an animal health research project in the final year of your studies.

Government departments and private laboratories require veterinary scientists to develop and operate laboratory diagnostics. Biopharmaceutical companies require such graduates to research and develop new biologicals to prevent and treat disease. The food industry requires veterinary scientists to safeguard the safety of food and the welfare of animals. Farmers, feed production operators and reproductive specialists require our graduates for herd health programmes, nutrition experts and reproductive analysis, respectively. Additionally, the advancement of entrepreneurial skills within the programme teaches the knowledge and creativity for business development.

What will I study?

First year at a glance

In your first year, you’ll study topics that are fundamental to veterinary bioscience:

  • Animal and Plant Biology: basic biological concepts, processes, systems and structures
  • Animal Behaviour and Welfare: practical knowledge of normal patterns of behaviour as well as developing concepts and theories relating to animal welfare, veterinary ethics and applied welfare issues in common farm and companion animal species
  • Animal Production Systems: develop principles on the major systems of animal production. The practical element of the module teaches skills to approach, handle, restrain and conduct a health check on animals
  • Veterinary Anatomy: two modules will develop a detailed understanding of the anatomy of animals, relating anatomical structures to clinical and biological problems
  • Chemistry: chemical concepts and terminology essential for building a sound foundation for understanding and learning chemistry
  • Essential Scientific Maths: ensures that students will have appropriate numerical, algebraic and graphical skills and be able to apply these skills successfully
  • Physics Concepts: provides knowledge of basic physics principles, concepts, ideas and terminologies and enable the student to apply to various physical phenomena
  • Mathematics and Statistics for Science: provides students with a knowledge of mathematics and statistics to describe and analyse scientific data

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

NOTE: The study of veterinary bioscience necessitates using animal-derived material in some classes. Any animal tissue used in classes is ethically sourced in full compliance with the University’s requirements. Individuals who object unreservedly to the use of animal material in teaching should not enter the veterinary bioscience programme.

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

  • Animal health researcher
  • Herd health advisor
  • Public (civil) servant
  • Animal nutritionist
  • Pharmaceutical drug and vaccine developer
  • Clinical practice manager
  • Animal diagnostic laboratory officer and manager
  • Second-level school teacher (additional qualification required)

Progression

Further Studies

Suitably qualified Level 8 Honours graduates are eligible to progress to taught master programmes or to research at either master or PhD level. Graduates who wish to enter graduate veterinary medicine will be facilitated by an overlap in content between this programme and a veterinary medicine curriculum.

Question Time

Yes. We currently have affiliation with the University of Veterinary Medicine in Košice, Slovakia. Suitably qualified graduates may also apply for entry to any other graduate entry veterinary medicine programme.

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