Science and Engineering at University of Galway

• Contact email: science-engineering@universityofgalway.ie
• College Office: Arts and Sciences Concourse (near Bank of Ireland)
• Timetable Information
• Additional visiting student information

Admission of Visiting Students and Erasmus students to individual modules is subject to the agreement of Module Coordinator or Lecturer. This will depend upon the applicant’s academic background in the relevant subject areas.

The College of Science and Engineering is organised into five Schools, each covering a range of related Subject Areas. Some Human Biology subject areas also have affiliation with the College.

Studying in Science and Engineering

Admission of Visiting Students and Erasmus students to individual modules is subject to the agreement of Module Coordinator or Lecturer. This will depend upon the applicant’s academic background in the relevant subject areas.

• Module selections must be approved by the College of Science and Engineering
  • Approval is based on academic background (pre-requisites) and module capacity limitations. Students can only be registered after approval.
  • Study Abroad students must apply via the Study Abroad coordinator.
  • Erasmus students must apply via the academic coordinator linked to the agreement with their home university
• Incoming Erasmus students can only take Science and Engineering modules if their exchange is an Erasmus agreement recognised by the College of Science and Engineering.
• Only modules in this Visiting Student Handbook can be selected. 
  • Modules which are not listed are not available to listing students for capacity or administrative reasons.
  • Visiting students are exempt from University of Galway module pre-requisites and co-requisites except in special cases. However, each requested module is individually validated to ensure it is suitable.
• Students are responsible for resolving timetable compatibility. See timetables below.
  • Mixing subject areas and year levels increases clashes.

Useful web pages

• College of Science and Engineering homepage
  • Incoming exchanges page
• International Office Study Abroad homepage
• Erasmus Office incoming students homepage
  • Erasmus academic coordinators
  • Erasmus Office information for traineeships and internships

Timetable information

• Timetable Information

Additional timetable explanations

• Timetables are only finalised near the start of semester. Please use the timetable for the preceding year.
• Modules can run for the full semester (weeks 1-12), half semester (eg weeks 1-6 or 7-12) or more concentrated periods (eg weeks 1-4, 5-8 or 9-12).
• Related modules in a subject area at the same level often run consecutively (eg weeks 1-6 then 7-12). These are usually listed on the same row in the timetable.
• Attendance is expected from week 1 of term to avoid missing laboratory-practical classes. It is strongly recommended to attend the first lecture of each module because an orientation to the content and arrangements is often provided by the lecturer.
• Visiting students are exempt from University of Galway module pre-requisites and co-requisites shown on timetables (except in some special cases).

Selection of modules

Difficulty levels of modules

• The module code gives the subject area and indication of level
  • Subject areas of modules are indicated by a 2-3 letter code.
  • First digit indicates the degree year that Galway students typically study the module.
    • 100 level = foundation
    • 200 level = introductory specialisation
    • 300 level = advanced intermediate
    • 400, 500 level = advanced (final year or Masters)
  • The remaining 2-3 digits are arbitrary
• Most modules are examined by a combination of continuous assessment and 2 hour final exam. See the linked module information page for details.

Advice on selection of modules

• Most visiting students should select
  • 200 level modules if they have not completed a relevant module in the subject area at their home university
  • 300 level modules if they have completed at least one semester of relevant specialist modules in the same subject area at their home university
  • Students selecting 300 and higher level modules must have relevant pre-requisite knowledge showing on their home university transcript.
  • Selecting modules at inappropriate levels will delay approvals
• Many modules have integrated laboratory practical components.
  • There are often alternative lab sessions each week to enable timetable flexibility.
  • Students must attend the same lab session every week.

Available modules

School of Biological and Chemical Sciences (SBCS)

School of Computer Science (SCS)

School of Engineering (SEng)

School of Mathematical and Statisical Sciences (SMSS)

School of Natural Sciences (SNS)

Human Biology subject areas