Biotechnology – BSc

at Technological University of Shannon - Athlone

Biotechnology is the manipulation of living organisms, cells, genes or molecules to develop services and products that benefit mankind and have commercial value. Biotechnology is a dynamic and evolving area, which is making significant contributions to the ‘smart economy’ in areas such as healthcare, agri- business, the food industry and the environment. Biotechnologists have already and continue to discover new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent disease, repair and replace damaged organs, create biofuels and bioplastics, grow crops with better yields, drought and pest resistance, and remove toxic environmental contaminants. These advancements are based on relatively recent discoveries in the areas of genetic engineering, genome sequencing and molecular biology are projected to continue to grow in utility and value. It is estimated that approximately half of all medicines currently produced worldwide originate in biotechnology based systems, making them cheaper and more widely available. Ireland is a leading location for biopharmaceutical production with a mix of start-ups, high growth SMEs and large multinationals located here. The Irish Government has identified the biopharmaceutical/diagnostics sector as one of the country’s best options for our economic future being the largest goods exporting sector in the economy. Currently, 9 out of the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world are located in Ireland while 7 out of the 10 best-selling medicines in the world are produced here. The BSc degree in Biotechnology in TUS Midlands with Placement,  is designed to train graduates to pursue careers in this dynamic and thriving sector of the economy, and/or to pursue further education to post-graduate level in highly specialised areas within biotechnology. In the 22-year history of the BSc Biotechnology programme in TUS (formerly AIT), it has consistently attracted viable numbers of students wishing to pursue a further education in Biotechnology, a discipline that is acknowledged to have a critical role, not only in the Irish economy, but also in the present and future quality of life of humankind and the planet.