Course description

Duration:
This is a Full-time one-year course, which runs from September to May. Exact details of the timetable will be given out to students during the induction process prior to class commencement in September.

Overview:
This hands-on laboratory skills course provides an introduction to the world of science and covers a variety of subjects related to laboratory and physical sciences. The purpose of this award is to enable the student to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to work independently and under supervision in a science laboratory and or to progress to science-based programmes at third level. Students throughout the year on this course will have the opportunity to meet scientists, researchers, and postgraduate students in a vast array of scientific fields. This generally takes the format of talks, workshops, and field trips.

Entry Requirements:
One of the following:

Leaving Certificate (LC Established, LCVP, LCA) or equivalent
A Full QQI Level 4 Award (or equivalent)
For Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) – appropriate experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. Note: Mature applicants may be entitled to VTOS funding. For details about VTOS, please contact the college.
As there is an emphasis on the science subjects, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, a background in science is desirable
Applicants whose first language is not English require level B2 competency on the CEFR language framework. Applicants may be required to undergo English language testing to establish their language competency.

Course Modules:

Laboratory Skills
Microbiology
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Mathematics
Communications
Word Processing
Work Experience

Certification:
Level 5 QQI Award Laboratory Techniques (5M3807)

Special Features

Work placement
Hands-on laboratory experience
Field trips/Lab Tours: Rye River Brewing, Kildare, Annual Brewery Trip, Lab Scientific Lab Tour, Dublin, Department of Agriculture and Food Lab Tour, Kildare, Kerry Group Headquarters, Kildare, Botanic Gardens, Dublin, Killiney Beach Trip, Science Gallery, Trinity College, Annual UCD Open Day for FET students, Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, Dublin, Maritime Museum, Dún Laoghaire
Workshops: Spectroscopy in a suitcase workshop by the Royal Society of Chemistry, Amgen Biotech Experience
Guest speakers from industry and academia give talks about real-world STEM applications and careers: Science Communicator Dr. Niamh Shaw, Dr. Claudia Rocha, School of Physics, TCD, The Irish Astrobiologist, Stewart Gault, PhD Researcher, Dr. Conor Dowling, Smart Sandyford, Natalia Garcia Domenech, PhD candidate, School of Chemistry, TCD. Dr. Joseph Crispell, Data Scientist, UCD, Anne McCormick, Bloom Health, Sandyford, Joseph Ahern, Functional Blends Manager, Kerry Food Group
This course is also supported by FIT, which offers students the opportunity to acquire essential skills to gain employment. Students are given training in job interview techniques and CV preparation
CAO advice

Amgen Biotech Experience:

Students will be encouraged to develop a scientific mindset open to ideas and experimentation along with analytical, problem-solving, and research skills, through the Amgen Biotech Experience which DFEi takes part in each year. This innovative science education program brings cutting-edge biotechnology into the classroom. It introduces students to the importance of scientific discovery through a molecular biology learning experience that links core science concepts to real-world applications. One of these concepts is DNA fingerprinting which is a technique employed by forensic scientists to assist in the identification of individuals or samples by their respective DNA profiles.

All DFEi students are provided with an M365 account, which gives them access to the tools and resources needed to deliver assessment work while attending their course. M365 Apps include Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneDrive.

Work Experience:
Students will be required to undertake a period work placement in an organisation connected to their vocational area during the academic year. Work Experience is mandatory for all of our full-time Level 5 courses. Students are required to source their own work placement but will be assisted in this by the work experience teacher. The work placement is usually for a period of 10 days or a minimum of 60 hours. Students usually find the work experience element of the course to be invaluable and should bear in mind that a successful work placement can sometimes lead to further opportunities.

Additional Information:
Students should use this course as a stepping stone into a recognised degree programme to achieve a high-level qualification. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs has identified that scientific-related jobs are difficult to fill due to a lack of suitable graduates. Nine out of the top ten global Biopharma-Pharmachem companies are located in Ireland (for example Pfizer and Merck, Amgen). These companies operate research, manufacturing and service activities in Ireland and the sector is expected to grow. There is an acute need for technicians, senior process scientists and engineers.

Twenty of the top thirty medical global device companies (Abbot, Boston Scientific and Medtronic) are also located in Ireland. They operate large production facilities, which are expected to grow. The sector is strong on exports and Ireland has an international reputation for delivering products and services in the following growth areas: agri-food, medical devices, chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Scientific vacancies exist in three scientific sectors (1) manufacturing (mostly pharmaceutical), (2) professional scientific and technical activities and (3) human health activities.

Assessment:

Assessment techniques will be used to assess the knowledge and skills that students will have achieved on successful completion of modules:

Student Record

Collection of Work

Assignments

Examination (Written)

Project

Skills Demonstration

A full major award is granted on passing the relevant eight components. On successful completion of each component, you will be awarded a pass, a merit or a distinction grade. See www.qqi.ie for more details

Progression Opportunities:
Graduates are eligible to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to year one of a range of higher certificate and degree programmes, at Universities, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities using their full QQI Level 5 major award. Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. It is the students’ responsibility to consult with the relevant HEI for information on the admissions process and any specific entry requirements. Students may also refer to the individual HEI prospectus or may also refer to the QQI FET section of the CAO website. www.cao.ie

There are progression options in a wide range of areas including general science, biotechnology, forensic science, pharmaceutical science, sports science, food science and many other related areas.

Students may also progress onto a number of apprenticeships for example Laboratory Technician or Laboratory Analyst that are now available in Ireland.

Our 2021 graduates of this course have progressed onto UCD, TCD, TU Dublin, NUI Maynooth, DCU and Waterford IT. For example, Six of our graduates got into Science and four got into Food Science in UCD. Two of our graduates got into Science in TCD, and three of our graduates got into Science in Maynooth. One of our graduates has progressed onto an apprenticeship in Science related area.

Examples of CAO progression opportunities are listed below.

Progression Examples:

Bachelor of Science (DN200)

BSc Sustainability with Environmental Science (DN240)

Bachelor of Agricultural Science (DN250)

BSc Food Science (DN261)

BSc Agri-Environmental Sciences (DN253)

BAgrSc Dairy Business (DN252)

BSc Computer Science (DN201)

University College Dublin – www.ucd.ie

BSc Biological and Biomedical Sciences (TR060)

BSc Geography and Geoscience (TR062)

BSc Chemical Sciences (TR061)

BSc Physical Sciences (TR063)

Bachelor Dental Technology (TR803)

Trinity College Dublin – www.tcd.ie

BSc Biotechnology (DC181)

BSc Sports Science and Health (DC202)

BSc Analytical Science (DC161)

BSc Genetics and Cell Biology (DC168)

BSc Biological Sciences (DC180)

BSc Chemical Sciences (DC163)

BSc Environmental Science and Technology (DC166)

BSc Science Education (DC203)

Dublin City University – www.dcu.ie

Bachelor of Science (GY301)

BSc Biomedical Science (GY303)

BSc Biotechnology (GY304)

BSc Environmental Science (GY308)

BSc Marine Science (GY310)

BSc Environmental Health and Safety (GY313)

Galway University – www.nuigalway.ie

Bachelor of Science (MH201)

BSc Biotechnology (MH202)

BSc Biological and Biomedical Science (MH208)

BSc Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Chemistry (MH210)

BSc Computer Science (MH602)

BSc Biological and Geographical Science (MH203)

Maynooth University – www.nuimaynooth.ie

BSc Science (TU854)

BSc Pharmaceutical Science (TU876)

BSc Pharmaceutical Healthcare (TU875)

BSc Physics Technology (TU877)

BSc Environmental Health (TU869)

BSc Science with Nanotechnology (TU855)

BSc Clinical Measurement Science (TU868)

BSc DNA and Forensic Analysis (TU752), (TU864)

BSc Nutraceuticals in Health and Nutrition (TU882)

Technological University Dublin – www.tud.ie

BSc Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402)

BSc Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (CK404)

BSc Chemical Sciences (CK406)

BSc Nutritional Sciences (CK504)

BSc Food Science (CK505)

BSc Medical and Health Sciences (CK707)

University College Cork – www.ucc.ie

Career Paths:
This course prepares students for careers typically found in the following sectors: chemical industry, biopharma-pharm chem, cosmetic science, food and beverages, physical and mathematical sciences, medical devices, education and research, environmental science, human biology and health, covid testing worker, science journalism. Students may seek employment in many other types of companies such as business, requiring an aptitude for science.

Career Paths

This course prepares students for careers typically found in the following sectors: chemical industry, biopharma-pharm chem, cosmetic science, food and beverages, physical and mathematical sciences, medical devices, education and research, environmental science, human biology and health, covid testing worker, science journalism. Students may seek employment in many other types of companies such as business, requiring an aptitude for science.

Duration
One Year