Stage 2 Subject Selection & FAQs

• Associate Dean's Presentation 23/24 Pre Stage 2

• School of Biology and Environmental Science (pdf)
• School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science (pdf)
• School of Chemistry (pdf)
• School of Earth Sciences (pdf)
• School of Mathematics and Statistics (pdf)
• School of Physics (pdf)
• Physiology - School of Medicine (pdf)

When should we be registering for the stage 2 subjects and modules?

For the 2024-2025 academic year, students will choose their subjects for Stage 2 in July (dates TBC).

Module registration will take place in mid-August ( date TBC).

Is it possible to keep degree options open from different schools in second year?

As long as you have met the core requirements in Stage 1 for these subjects, and subject combinations are compatible, you can choose subjects across different streams.

What GPA is required to specialise in my subject area in Stage 3?

To progress with your preferred major in Stage 3, there is no GPA specified for this purpose.  You must meet the progression requirements which includes that you have completed all of your Stage 1 modules and have completed at least 50 credits in Stage 2.

Some majors can be competitive and where the demand for places outweighs capacity (some majors set capacity at 40 places in Stage 3), then a student’s GPA would be looked at.  

Can you take core modules instead of electives in second year to keep your options open?

Yes, you can choose to register to 60 credits from programme modules (core/option modules) in Stage 2.  Selecting elective modules is not compulsory but you can select 10 credits from elective modules if you wish.

Is there any advice you would give someone trying to choose between Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry?

There is some overlap in terms of the core modules between these two subjects in Stage 2 but students who wish to continue with Medicinal Chemistry in Stage 3 must have completed the core Chemistry modules and programme cores (CHEM20080 and CHEM20140) by the end of Stage 2. 

Medicinal Chemistry focuses on structures, design, synthesis and analysis of molecules while Pharmacology takes a biological view and is more focused on the fate and effect of drugs in living systems.

Further information on exchange opportunities for UCD Science students is available from the UCD Global website

Information on Erasmus opportunities

Information on non-EU exchange opportunities

What is the criteria to be nominated for an Erasmus/Exchange programme within my field of study?

There are opportunities to go on Erasmus/Exchange in stage 3. Institutions must be approved for your major and will be based on stage 2 GPA. Further information can be found here. 

Students should contact the Careers Network Team for further information on Graduate Entry courses (including Graduate Entry Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy) and other further study opportunities available on completion of the undergraduate degree programme.

Information on graduate study opportunities in UCD is available from the UCD Graduate Studies website.

Students should contact the Careers Network Team for further information on the supports and guidance they provide to students.  Appointments can be made on CareersConnect through their website and a member of the team will assist with any queries you may have on the opportunities available to Science graduates.

Students entering stage 2 science must select a minimum of two subjects*. If your chosen subjects are Pharmacology, Neuroscience, and Physiology, students must choose an additional subject.

*Geology may be selected as a single subject for Stage 2 but students are strongly advised to register to a second subject to ensure that they maintain options for Stage 3.  Students who select Geology only are still required to select at least 50 credits from programme modules within science (core and option modules) and students may take 10 credits of elective modules to fulfil their Stage 2 credit requirement.

All subjects for which you have met the core requirements in Stage 1 will be available for you to study in Stage 2. In addition, stage 2 subject selection is not competitive for students who have progressed to Stage 2.

You may not have attempted one of the modules required for the subject in Stage 1.  If you were in a repeat attempt at Stage 1, or had transferred from another degree at some point, you may have different modules in your academic history. If a subject that you want to select doesn’t appear for you then please fill in the (opens in a new window)Registration Issues Form. 

Yes. As long as you have met the core requirements in Stage 1 for these subjects, and subject combinations are compatible, you can choose subjects across different streams.

Module registration will normally remain open for the first two weeks of the trimester and you will be able to make changes to your registration yourself on SISweb. If you wish to make changes to your subjects after online registration closes you will need to request the change by filling in the Stage 2 Change of Subject form. 

No. There are a number of modules that are common to more than one subject area. You may find, when you choose your subjects that the options for some subject areas have been pre-selected if the modules are core for other areas. You are required to register to a minimum of 50 credits from programme modules (cores/options) in Stage 2. You also have the option of taking 10 credits from elective modules. 

Yes. There are a number of subjects that cannot be timetabled together, and there are some subject combinations (e.g. Theoretical Physics and Neuroscience) that would require a workload that is greater than 60 credits.

Every effort has been made to ensure that students can combine a broad choice across all subject areas in second year (Stage 2) but certain combinations of subjects may not be feasible in the timetable. These incompatible combinations are not often sought by students and may be encountered, in limited cases, when students attempt to combine particularly diverse subject areas across the BBB, CCS and MPG groups. In a small number of cases, students may not be able to combine subjects from within one of the BBB, CCS or MPG groups of subjects.  These cases are listed below:

If your choice of subjects brings your credit total above 60 (i.e. above 12 modules) then you may also encounter difficulties. There is a great deal of overlap in the modules required for many subjects. It is usually only the selection of a large number of subjects or of an unusually diverse combination of subjects that would result in a credit load above 60 credits.

NOTE: Students who select Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology in Stage 2 are required to complete 9 core modules. If you have not selected CHEM20140 and CHEM20100 in Stage 1, you are required to register to this module in Stage 2. This will mean that your subject choices may be limited to CCS subjects. You may also meet the requirements for Pharmacology (BMOL20060 required) through the combination of modules in this subject stream. 

In choosing Biology and Mathematics Education (A) you are also fulfilling the requirements for the subjects of Environmental Biology and Plant Biology. You have the potential to fulfil the requirements for Zoology with the addition of another module, and similarly for Genetics. In choosing Biology and Mathematics Education (B) you are also fulfilling the requirements for either Biochemistry & Molecular Biology or Microbiology (or both, depending on your choice of modules). You have the potential to fulfil the requirements for Pharmacology with the addition of another module, and similarly for Genetics.

Selecting either (A) or (B), and taking the required modules, will mean you are eligible for Biology and Mathematics Education in Stage 3.