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The UCD Science course is a common-entry course which offers 27 degree subjects categorised into the following streams:

Students can study subjects from more than one stream in First Year. It is also possible for students to change their stream in First Year. Prospective students can email (opens in a new window)askscience@ucd.ie if you have any queries about studying Science at UCD. 

Brochures & Useful Links

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UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Brochure (PDF) Download Brochure
UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Brochure (PDF)
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Visit our YouTube channel to watch short course videos and taster lectures UCD Science YouTube Channel
Visit our YouTube channel to watch short course videos and taster lectures
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Take a virtual tour of the UCD campus with our Student Ambassadors UCD Virtual Tour
Take a virtual tour of the UCD campus with our Student Ambassadors

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Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences Stream 
Earth & Environmental Sciences Stream
Chemistry (includes Medicinal/Sustainable/Biophysical) Stream
Mathematics (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics) Stream
Physics (includes Theoretical/Astronomy & Space Science) Stream
Science, Mathematics & Education Stream
Explore Multiple Streams
  • The "Explore Multiple Streams" option is for students who are interested in degrees in different streams. For example, a student may be interested in Genetics and Chemistry. As Genetics is in the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream and Chemistry is in the Chemistry stream, students interested in these subjects can choose Explore Multiple Streams.
  • For CAO applicants, all students are applying to DN200 Science common entry course regardless of your choice of stream. Students who choose "Explore Multiple Streams" are offered the same First Year module guarantees as students who choose the other streams.
Is Science (DN200/SCU1) a General Science degree?
  • The UCD Science course is not a “General Science” degree; it is a common entry course where students specialise in one of 27 subjects for their final degree (e.g. BSc Financial Mathematics, BSc Chemistry etc.)
Why should I choose a common entry course?
  • This course is ideal if you are undecided about which area of Science interests you most as students have the flexibility to explore the full range of Science subjects.
  • The flexible curriculum allows students to specialise in First Year should they know what they want to study. For example, if you are only interested in Physics, you can focus your studies from First Year onwards in Physics.
  • The number of compulsory modules has been kept low to allow to you try out other subjects that you may not be familiar with or to deepen your interest in the areas that you wish to pursue to degree level.
  • Students make an informed decision about their degree subject at the end of Second Year.
What do I study in Second, Third and Fourth Year?
  • In general, students have to decide on one stream to pursue in second year and will study two or more degree subjects from that stream. Limited degree subjects between different streams can be studied in second year. It is timetable dependent and not guaranteed. A list is not available as it can change each year.
  • At the end of second year, students choose their degree subject. Assuming students meet all the academic requirements in first and second year, students are guaranteed a degree subject from the stream they are studying in second year. We do our best to ensure that students go on to study their top degree subject choice but degree subjects can be competitive.
  • As we offer a number of degree subjects in each stream, students have a number of similar degree subjects to choose from as their degree major. If a degree subject is oversubscribed, places are allocated on a competitive basis.
DN200 Science Frequently Asked Questions

When you select UCD Science on your CAO application, you can make one of the following selections from the drop-down list:

  • Explore Multiple Streams
  • Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences
  • Earth & Environmental Sciences
  • Chemistry (includes Medicinal/Sustainable/Biophysical)
  • Mathematics (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics)
  • Physics (includes Theoretical/Astronomy & Space Science)
  • Science, Mathematics & Education

You can change your mind when you arrive at UCD.

The Explore Multiple Streams option is for students who are interested in degrees in different streams. For example, a student may be interested in Genetics and Chemistry. As Genetics is in the Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences stream and Chemistry is in the Chemistry stream, students interested in these subjects can choose Explore Multiple Streams. Students who choose the Explore Multiple Streams are offered the same First Year module guarantees as students who choose the other streams.

DN200 is one course which means you can only put it down on your CAO form once.

Students choose modules in order to meet the requirements for the degree subjects that interest them most. Each degree subject is part
of a stream and each stream has a set number of compulsory modules you must take in first year in order to pursue a degree, subject in second year.

Plenty of advice is available during the application process and when you arrive at UCD on the module combinations to study in first year. Common entry does not mean a common first year and students can opt to focus on a particular area, but must fulfil the requirements for at least two degree subjects. Each student will have their own personalised timetable based on their individual module selection. The  timetable will be filled with a variety of class types such as lectures, practicals, tutorials etc. An average first year timetable will have 30 hours of class time per week.

Information for EU applicants is available on the UCD Admissions website. 

Information for Global Applicants is available on the UCD Global website. 

Science, Mathematics and Education - DN200 Science

The Common Entry DN200 Science programmes provides students with the option to become Science and Maths teachers at post-primary level via one of our Teaching Council approved pathways. Students who opt for one of the pathways complete a 4-year BSc which leads directly a one-year MSc in Mathematics and Science Education. On completion of both degrees, you are fully qualified to teach your chosen Science subject and Mathematics to Higher Level Leaving Certificate Level.

Learn more about these subjects in the UCD Science Undergraduate Courses Entry 2024 Brochure (pdf). 

UCD College of Science

Room E1.09/E2.09 UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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