Biomedical Sciences - Intercalated

Course Overview

Scientific knowledge and discovery are at the heart of medical advances. The Biomedical Sciences programme is designed to expose students to advanced fields of research in one of five specialist tracks: Molecular Medicine; Neuroscience; Translational Oncology; Healthcare Infection and Immunology.



Students are also exposed to original research that enhances their understanding of the molecular mechanisms of disease.



The course aims to provide the participants with an understanding of the basic biology and advanced molecular mechanisms of various disease states; knowledge of current treatment strategies for disease management and treatment; knowledge of core techniques used to answer research questions in biomedical sciences; practical laboratory skills, experience in troubleshooting, and expertise in selected methodologies to facilitate a research or research-related career.



Is This Course For Me?

For Trinity Medical students who wish to pursue a career in medical or bio-medical research, the School of Medicine offers an Intercalated M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences. This one-year intercalated taught programme is designed for students with 180 ECTS from their undergraduate medicine degree programme and graduate entry medicine students with a primary degree in a science-based discipline.

Molecular Medicine

Compulsory modules include: Research Skills (15 ECTS); Molecular Mechanisms of Human Diseases I (5 ECTS); and Project Work and Dissertation (30 ECTS).



Modules to the total value of 35 ECTS should be chosen from the following: Human Genetics (5 ECTS); Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics (5 ECTS); Precision and Translation Nanomedicine (5 ECTS); Infectious Agents Biological and Clinical Applications (5 ECTS); Introduction to Genetics and Development (5 ECTS); Cell Biology and Cell Signalling Mechanisms (5 ECTS); Molecular and Cellular Immunology (5 ECTS); Molecular Mechanisms of Human Disease II (5 ECTS); and Molecular Oncology (5 ECTS).



Translational Oncology

Students will be required to complete eleven taught modules (5 ECTS each) and a research project with dissertation worth (30 ECTS). All core modules are compulsory: Cellular and Molecular Basis of Cancer; Disease-Specific Cancers: Scientific and Clinical Perspectives; Tumour Immunology; Radiation, Chemotherapy and Molecular Targeted Therapies; Cancer Epigenetics, Gene Regulation and Stem Cells; Clinical Trials and Health Economics; Clinical Statistics and Medical Ethics; and Molecular Oncology Research Skills.



Students will choose two of the following six optional modules (5 ECTS each): Obesity, Metabolism and Physical Activity; Drug Development from Discovery To Commercialisation; Therapeutic Targeting of Cellular Instability in Childhood and Adult Cancers; Tumour Microenvironment; and Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Toxicity.



Neuroscience

Students take the following modules: Form and Function of the Nervous System; Biochemical Basis of Neuropharmacology; Neuropharmacology; Drug Development; Neuroimmunology; Experimental Neuroscience; Cellular Neuroscience; Neural Engineering; Neuroimaging; Current Experimental Techniques; Experimental Research Skills; and a Research Project.



Healthcare Infection

Students take the following modules: Basic and Molecular Microbiology (15 ECTS); Antimicrobial Therapy and Resistance (15 ECTS); Epidemiology and Infection Control (15 ECTS); Multidisciplinary Management of Infection (10 ECTS); Research Project (30 ECTS).



Immunology

Students take the following modules: Basic Immunology (10 ECTS); Immunological Technologies (10 ECTS); Communicating Science and Critical Analysis (5 ECTS); Tumour Immunology (5 ECTS); Immunogenetics (5 ECTS); Microbe Detection and Evasion (5 ECTS); Clinical Immunology (5 ECTS); Parasite Immunology (5 ECTS); Global Infectious Diseases (5 ECTS); Immunotherapeutics and Product Development (5 ECTS); and Research Projects (30 ECTS).

Admission Requirements

Admission is restricted to undergraduate students in Year 3 (and occasionally Year 4) in Trinity's School of Medicine. At this point, students will have qualified for a B.A. which is normally awarded when the students are conferred with their final M.B. The intercalated Master's will also be conferred then.



The course is coordinated through the Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity, St James's Hospital Dublin. All references provided must be from Trinity academics.



Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting, for more information please see: www.tcd.ie/students/orientation/postgraduates/garda-vetting.php



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page

Closing Date: 31st July 2025

1 Year Full-Time.

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Graduates for this programme have pursued medical and biomedical research as well as careers in a range of areas including international research laboratories, government agencies and the private sector.