Course Summary
Get the relevant scientific skills you’ll need to tackle these complex issues on this diverse and stimulating course.
Whether out on field trips or doing nanoscale environmental analysis in the lab, you’ll gain the analytical and practical skills to understand, protect and improve our environment. Not only that, but you’ll get to contribute in a practical way to reducing carbon on- and off-campus in our new module, Towards Zero Carbon.
Over the four years, you’ll gain a strong scientific core in biology, chemistry, physics and maths. This is vital to working as an environmental scientist, but also gives you flexibility when it comes to your career choice. In your third year, you’ll do a nine-month work placement and you also have the chance to study abroad. And of course, throughout the course, you’ll be able to contribute practically to reducing carbon reliance.
As the world is ever more focused on protecting the environment and cutting carbon emissions, there is ongoing and increasing demand for qualified scientists. Graduates from this course typically go on to high-impact careers as research scientists in areas such as environmental protection, and water, air and soil management and conservation.
Academic Spotlights - Treating Water with Respect
DCU’s Water Institute is leading the way in raising awareness about the value of water in our lives. We drink it, wash in it, rely on it to grow crops, but just how many of us stop and take the time to consider just how important water is to us? Professor Fiona Regan, Professor in Chemistry and Director of the DCU Water Institute said: “Water is essential for life, for health, for human society, for industry. Click HERE to find out more.
College Link
College Virtual Tour
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Language Options
Language options with this course
The following language options are available to study as part of this programme:
* Time abroad utilising this language
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - always check with the college.
Entry Requirements
Disclaimer: Details subject to change - If this is a course you are considering applying for you should check on the Colleges' website to ensure you have the latest entry requirements information.
To view Mature Entry requirements, or alternative requirements, please visit Qualifax or the Colleges' website
If you believe the data above to be incorrect, please let us know at [email protected] - thank you.
QQI / FET Links
PLC courses leading to the following QQI Major Awards may be used for entry into this course.
Search for PLC Courses offering these awards
(Click on the Codes)
| Note: Information for 2025 Entry | |
| Award Code | Award Title |
| 5M3807 | Laboratory Techniques |
Points Calculator for QQI Awards:
Details of the QQI scoring system and a points calculator can be found HERE
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Career Progression
Graduates enter careers in the fields of Environmental Protection, Pollution Control, Waste Management, Energy Systems, Green Economy and Water Management. Career areas include, clean technologies, energy systems, waste industry, Green Economy and Environmental Protection Agency.
Further Research
DISCLAIMER: These links are to official sources of information for this course - we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
