UCD Science Stage 1 Module Guide 2025/26
UCD Science Stage 1 Module Guide 2025/26
Stage 1 Guide
& Core Module
Tables
2025/26
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Contents
Streams and Degree Subjects within Science......................................................................1
Modules required for BSc Degrees within Science............................................................. 2
• Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences Stream................................................ 3
• Earth & Environmental Sciences Stream........................................................................... 3
• Chemistry (includes Medicinal/Sustainable) Stream...................................................... 4
• Mathematics (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics) Stream........................................ 4
• Physics (includes Theoretical/Astronomy & Space Science) Stream............................ 4
• Science, Mathematics & Education Stream.......................................................................5
• Explore Multiple Streams...................................................................................................... 6
Conditional Core Modules..................................................................................................... 7
Mathematics Requirements.................................................................................................. 8
Core Modules required for Stage 1....................................................................................... 9
Top Tips...................................................................................................................................11
Explore Multiple Streams Students can select a number of streams in the Explore Multiple Streams
option. As with all streams in Stage 1, careful selection of modules will
ensure that you keep your options open for Stage 2.
The information in Table 2 will guide you when you come to choose your
modules for Stage 1.
Conditional Programme
CORE CORE CORE
modules
modules modules
A module that students Students must take these Are also compulsory, but
must do as part of their modules in Stage 1 of the students can choose to
programme. Science programme if take them in Stage 1 or
they have not achieved Stage 2.
the specified grade (see
Table 3) or completed
the subject at Leaving
Certificate standard, or
equivalent.
Degree Subjects Conditional Core Modules Core Modules Programme Core Modules
Applied & Refer to Table 3 on page 7 SCI10010 MATH10040 Numbers
Computational for further details on these Principles of Scientific & Functions (required for
Mathematics modules Enquiry Mathematics & Financial Maths)
Mathematics ACM10080 ACM10060 MATH10320 Mathematical
Financial Introduction to Applied Applications of Analysis (required for Applied
Mathematics & Computational Differential Equations & Computational Mathematics;
Mathematics (Conditional MATH10340 Financial Math., Mathematics &
Statistics
core for Applied Linear Algebra (MPS) Statistics)
& Computational ECON10720
MATH10350
Mathematics only) Microeconomics for Business
Calculus (MPS)
COMP10290 (Required for Financial Maths.
STAT10060
Computation for Scientists Students who wish to progress with
Statistical Modelling
both Applied & Computational
Math and Financial Maths in Stage 2
must take ECON10720 in Stage 1.)
Degree Subjects Conditional Core Modules Core Modules Programme Core Modules
Biology, Refer to table 3 on page 7 SCI10010 At least two of the following
Mathematics & for further details on these Principles of Scientific three modules must be
Education modules Enquiry taken in Stage 1 or Stage 2:
BIOL00010 BIOL10110 BIOL10130
Fundamentals of Biology Cell Biology & Genetics Biology in Action
CHEM10050 BIOL10140
Basis of Organic & Biological Life on Earth
Chemistry
BMOL10030
MATH10290 Biomedical Sciences
+
Linear Algebra for Science
or MATH10340
+ ACM10060
Linear Algebra (MPS)
Appl of Differential
MATH10410 Equations
Maths & Science Education
(If ACM10060 is not taken in
MATH10350 Stage 1, students will instead
Calculus (MPS) take ACM10100 in Stage 2)
STAT10060
+
Statistical Modelling Please refer to table 4 on
page 8 for modules
Applied Refer to table 3 on page 7 SCI10010 MATH10040
Mathematics, for further details on these Principles of Scientific Numbers & Functions
Mathematics & modules Enquiry MATH10320
Education ACM10080 ACM10060 Mathematical Analysis
Introduction to Applied Application of Differential
& Computational Equations
Mathematics MATH10350
COMP10290 Calculus (MPS)
Computation for Scientists MATH10410
Maths & Science Education
MATH10340
Linear Algebra (MPS)
STAT10060
Statistical Modelling
Computer Science, Refer to table 3 on page 7 SCI10010 MATH10040
Mathematics & for further details on these Principles of Scientific Numbers & Functions
Education modules Enquiry MATH10320
COMP10290 ACM10060 Mathematical Analysis
Computation for Scientists Applications of Differential
Equations
MATH10350
Calculus (MPS)
MATH10410
Maths & Science Education
MATH10340
Linear Algebra (MPS)
STAT10060
Statistical Modelling
COMP10020
Introduction to
Programming II
Degree Subjects Conditional Core Modules Core Modules Programme Core Modules
Chemistry, Refer to table 3 on page 7 SCI10010 ACM10060
Mathematics & for further details on these Principles of Scientific Application of Differential
Education modules Enquiry Equations
CHEM00010 CHEM10050 CHEM20100
Introductory Chemistry Basis of Organic & Biological Basis of Inorganic Chemistry
Chemistry
MATH10290
+
Linear Algebra for Science
or MATH10340
+
Linear Algebra (MPS)
MATH10350
Calculus (MPS)
MATH10410
Maths & Science Education
+
STAT10060 Please refer to table 4 on
Statistical Modelling page 8 for modules
Physics, Refer to table 3 on page 7 SCI10010 MATH10320
Mathematics & for further details on these Principles of Scientific Mathematical Analysis
Education modules Enquiry PHYC10250
ACM10080 PHYC10080 Thermal Physics & Materials
Introduction to Applied Frontiers of Physics PHYC20080
& Computational MATH10350 Fields, Waves & Light
Mathematics Calculus (MPS)
PHYC10070 MATH10340
Foundations of Physics Linear Algebra (MPS)
COMP10290 MATH10410
Computation for Scientists Maths & Science Education
ACM10060
Application of Differential
Equations
STAT10060
Statistical Modelling
The “Explore Multiple Streams” option is designed for students with interests in degree subjects in more than
one stream. For example, a student may be interested in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Chemistry.
As Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is in the Biomomolecular_Biomedical stream and Chemistry is in the
Chemistry stream, students interested in these degree subjects can choose “Explore Multiple Streams”.
3 Mathematics; Financial MATH10340 MATH10350 Students who have not attained at least a H3 in
Mathematics; Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent)
Applied & Computational are strongly advised to consult with the College of
Science Office for further advice.
Mathematics; Statistics
4 Mathematics, Physics MATH10340 MATH10350 Students who have not attained at least a H3 in
& Education; Applied Leaving Certificate Mathematics (or equivalent)
Mathematics & Education are strongly advised to consult with the College of
Science Office for further advice.
Computer Science,
Mathematics & Education
5 Physics; Theoretical Physics; MATH10340 MATH10350 For students who wish to pursue Physics subjects,
Physics with Astronomy & MATH10400 can be taken in the Summer Trimester
Space Science instead of MATH10350 if a student must take
MATH00010 in Trimester 1 (Autumn Trimester).
6 Biology, Mathematics & MATH10290 MATH10350 MATH10340 can be taken instead of MATH10290
Education if students want to keep Mathematics or Physics
Chemistry, Mathematics & degree subjects open.
Education MATH10350 also fulfils the requirements for all
Biological, Biomedical, Biomolecular Chemistry,
Earth and Environmental Sciences degree subjects.
Earth Sciences
Neuroscience
Plant Biology
Microbiology
Physiology
Chemistry
Genetics
Zoology
Table 5: Core Module Summary by Streams
Module Code Title Trimester
SCI10010 Scientific Enquiry Aut
BIOL10110 Biology-Cell Biology & Genetics Spr
CHEM10050 Basis of Organic & Biol Chem Spr
BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology Aut
CHEM00010 Introductory Chemistry Aut
PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics Aut
BIOL10130 Biology in Action Aut
BIOL10140 Life on Earth Aut
BMOL10030 Biomedical Sciences Spr
GEOL10060 Introduction to Earth Sciences Aut or Spr
GEOL10070 Understanding Earth Systems Spr
MATH00010 Introduction to Mathematics Aut A A A A A A A A A A A A A A
Theoretical Physics
Programme core (taken in Stage 1 or 2)
Mathematics
Core (taken in Stage 1)
Statistics
Physics
Table 6: Core Module Summary by Streams
Module Code Title Trimest Maths stream Physics Stream Mathematics & Education Stream
SCI10010 Scientific Enquiry Aut
BIOL10110 Biology-Cell Biology & Genetics Spr
CHEM10050 Basis of Organic & Biol Chem Spr
BIOL00010 Fundamentals of Biology Aut
CHEM00010 Introductory Chemistry Aut
PHYC10070 Foundations of Physics Aut
BIOL10130 Biology in Action Aut
BIOL10140 Life on Earth Aut
BMOL10030 Biomedical Sciences Spr
MATH00010 Introduction to Mathematics Aut A D A D A D
• Students are required to study twelve modules in your final degree subject(s). Make sure that you
a year – it is recommended that you try to balance meet the core (compulsory) requirements for your
your workload as evenly as possible across the year, subjects of choice and consider taking Programme
e.g. study six modules in the Autumn Trimester and Cores (Table 2) to reduce restrictions on your Stage
six modules in the Spring Trimester. The maximum 2 choices.
number permitted in a trimester is eight.
• The Level 0 and Level 1 modules required for entry
• Eleven of your Stage 1 modules must be from to the degrees in the various subject areas are listed
within Science. As well as core modules, there in Table 2.
are modules which students can choose from a
• Laboratory and/or tutorial times for Science
selection offered in their programme (Option
modules, where required, will be allocated at the
Modules). You may take one non-science elective
start of trimester after you register online to your
module in Stage 1 in the Spring Trimester. Elective
preferred area and your optional Science modules.
modules allow you to explore subjects outside of
Once the allocation to practicals and tutorials has
Science or to deepen your knowledge in Science.
been made, you will be able to see and print your
For example, a student in Science can take a
individual timetable.
Business or Language elective module. You are
advised to consider your choice of elective module • Attendance
carefully. Lack of attendance at lectures has been identified
in several studies as a significant risk factor for
• The wide variety of science modules available
having below average scores in Science courses.
in Stage 1 allows you to sample and experience a
Students who attend >75% of lectures generally
number of subjects, while also studying the core
achieve higher grades.
modules required for your discipline. The choices
you make in first year will have a bearing on