The Food Science Programme at UCD develops your scientific knowledge and practical skills in producing sustainable, high-quality, safe, and nutritious food for the global market. As a food scientist, you will be involved in all aspects of the food chain, from production to the consumer. You will learn core sciences such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and apply them to food physics, analysis, microbiology, and sensory science.

You will also gain expertise in food chemistry, processing, and new product development, preparing you for careers in production management, nutrition, food quality and safety, sales and marketing, and research.

Applicants can pick one of two pathways:

• Food Science or
• Sustainable Food Systems

This is a three year full time course is designed to train you in modern food processing methods, food safety management, analytical testing relevant to the food industry. The programme also incorporates a range of business skills to allow you have knowledge of the financial and management environment for the food industry.

Food science focuses on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of food along the production chain, from its production on a farm to being eaten. The diverse scope of subjects covered provides students with a unique blend of scientific and technical skills designed to meet the needs of careers in the food industry, ranging from research and development to food processing and production.  

This course facilitates the learner to explore Food Science and the principles of food processing with a view to gaining employment or progressing to further education or training.

This course is often used by learners as a prepatory course for progression to third level.

The aim of this one year full time programme is to enable learners to acquire the theory, principles, practices and techniques underpinning Food Science and Food Processing to enable them to work under supervision in a variety of contexts in the food industry and or to progress to further and or higher education and training.

Work placement will be a core element of this course. Supports will be provided with accessing high quality placements.

Extra supports are also available, where necessary, with literacy, numeracy, IT, career guidance and counselling.

This full-time one-year programme offers students a solid foundation in general science while also offering an opportunity to concentrate on an introduction to working in the food science industry or the nutrition sector. It is suitable for students who are interested in preparing for a career as a food scientist and/or further education in the food, science or agriculture sectors. The food industry is one of Ireland’s largest sectors, therefore job opportunities and further study are numerous.

This B.Sc. programme in Food Science and Health prepares graduates for careers in Ireland’s largest The programme is four years in duration. This Food Science and Health degree programme has been developed to meet these needs among consumers, the food industry, academic and research organisations, and government agencies. You will find the study of Food Science and Health challenging and rewarding. This degree programme will combine the study of nutrition, human physiology and diet-health relationships with classical food science and technology.

This programme is for students who wish to work in the area of food production, quality assurance, nutrition, and product development, with a focus on future foods and the role of food in the health of people, in Ireland and globally. this course provides students with a broad science-based education, with specialist content on the future of food development, human nutrition, and the role of food and healthy living, and also explores the social and global challenges around food security.

The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Food Science & Nutrition will provide the student with a broad knowledge of food science, including food manufacturing and processing alongside nutrition and dietary analysis. You will gain a deep understanding about the relationship between diet and disease, and how changing consumer lifestyles can impact on our health, as well as how the modern food industry operates. You’ll also learn about food production and processing, and study the nutritional properties, quality and safety of food products, acquiring a knowledge of human biochemistry, nutrition and dietary analysis. 

In order to respond to the current needs of the food industry this Food Science and Nutrition course aims to educate students in a comprehensive range of disciplines including scientific, culinary and technological areas, in order to meet with the requirements of nutritional and functional food industries. Students will learn the fundamental knowledge of food science and the importance of food safety and nutrition in bringing a product to market.

As a food scientist, you are involved in all aspects of product development. The ultimate goal of this programme is to ensure that students get practical hands on experience of the food industry and gain key transferable skills. This course is ideally suited for students who are interested in preparing for a career and/or further education in agriculture, food or science.

The BSc (Hons) in Forensic & Pharmaceutical Science is a unique interdisciplinary course providing students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the sciences in areas of forensics, pharmaceutical and analytical techniques. This course thus produces graduates who are highly employable in a broad range of sectors. Students gain valuable hands-on experience in the methodology and techniques at the forefront of these major sectors and develop transferable skills including problem solving, communicating, and defending scientific data, evidence interpretation, time management and team building.

This unique interdisciplinary programme provides students with detailed knowledge and understanding of forensic, analytical, and pharmaceutical science. Students gain knowledge and critical skills in areas of crime scene investigation, forensic evidence examination, instrumental techniques, pharmaceutical technology, drug analysis, statistical analysis, quality assurance, molecular and immunobiology.

Forensic Investigation and Analysis encompasses the application of a forensic investigative approach using advanced analytical science for the provision of scientific data and evidence. This degree equips graduates with skills in both forensic and analytical science making them highly employable in a broad range of sectors. Students study both biology and chemistry through the exciting and stimulating medium of forensic science. A major focus of the programme is the development of excellent practical analytical science skills which are in great demand by employers and for postgraduate research. 

This degree equips graduates with skills in both forensic and analytical science making them highly employable in a broad range of sectors. Students study both biology and chemistry through the exciting and stimulating medium of forensic science. A major focus of the programme is the development of excellent practical analytical science skills which are in great demand by employers and for postgraduate research.

This course provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills to analyse and understand scientific evidence in a laboratory setting. Forensic evidence is used to enhance investigative work which may be required by the judicial system.

This full-time one-year programme offers an introduction to forensic science and its application to criminal law. Students will gain practical skills in the science laboratory as well as gaining knowledge of the criminal law system in Ireland. Progression is possible into chemistry and forensic related courses and these, in turn, link to professions in An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and Forensic Science Labs.

This course provides an opportunity for you to investigate your interest in Forensics and Investigative Sciences. The study of Forensics, Criminal Law and Criminology is an excellent preparation for application to An Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces, forensic science laboratories and the State Laboratory. This should provide an opportunity for students to explore their preferred area of future study in investigative sciences or forensics.

Students will discover how a crime scene is investigated and how to collect and analyse crime scene evidence. They will learn about ethical computer hacking, DNA analysis and much more. There is a large practical and project component to the programme, and students will learn skills such as project management, time management, decision making and laboratory practical skills.