College of Science and Engineering

Science and Engineering at University of Galway

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.

School Abbreviation Subject Areas
Biological and Chemical Sciences SBCS Biochemistry (BI)
Chemistry (CH)
Microbiology (MI)
Plant and Agribiosciences (PAB)
Computer Science SCS Computer Science (CT)
Engineering SEng Biomedical (BME)
Civil (CE)
Electrical and Electronic (EE)
Energy Systems
Mechanical (ME)
Mathematical and Statistical Sciences SMSS Applied Mathematics (MP)
Computing (CS)
Mathematics (MA)
Statistics (ST)
Natural Sciences SNS Botany and Plant Sciences (BPS)
Earth and Ocean Sciences (EOS)
Physics (PH)
Zoology (ZO)
Human Biology subjects Anatomy (AN)
Pharmacology (PM)
Physiology (SI)

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

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)

Subject Area Module Code Module Title ECTS Taught in Semester
Biochemistry BO201 Molecular and Cell Biology 5 1
Biochemistry BO3101 Developmental Biology 5 1
Biochemistry BI208 Protein Structure and Function 5 1
Biochemistry BI309 Cell Biology 5 1
Biochemistry BI319 Molecular Biology 5 1
Chemistry CH203 Physical Chemistry 5 1
Chemistry CH204 Inorganic Chemistry 5 1
Chemistry CH311 Organic Chemistry 5 1
Chemistry CH326 Analytical Chemistry and Molecular Structure 5 1
Chemistry CH332 Drug Design and Drug Discovery 10 1
Chemistry CH333 Experimental Chemistry 5 1
Microbiology MI202 Laboratory Skills in Microbiology I 5 1
Microbiology MI3101 Microbial Genomics 5 1
Microbiology MI323 Food and Industrial Microbiology 5 1
Microbiology MI326 Microbial Metabolic and Molecular Systems 5 1
Plant & Agribiosciences PAB3101 Soil Sciences 5 1
Plant & Agribiosciences PAB3102 AgriBiosciences for Sustainable Global Development 5 1
Plant & Agribiosciences PAB4102 Plant Genetics and Systems Biology 5 1
Plant & Agribiosciences PAB4103 Climate Change, Plants and Agriculture 5 1

School of Computer Science (SCS)

Subject Area Module Code Module Title ECTS Taught in Semester
Computer Science CT101 Computing Systems (full year) 10 1 and 2
Computer Science CT102 Algorithms and Information Systems (full year) 10 1 and 2
Computer Science CT103 Programming (full year) 10 1 and 2
Computer Science CT1112 Professional Skills I (full year) 5 1 and 2
Computer Science CT213 Computer Systems and Organization 5 1
Computer Science CT216 Software Engineering I (full year) 10 1 and 2
Computer Science CT2106 Object-Oriented Programming 5 1
Computer Science CT230 Database Systems I 5 1
Computer Science CT318 Human Computer Interaction 5 1
Computer Science CT326 Programming III 10 1
Computer Science CT331 Programming Paradigms 5 1
Computer Science CT3531 Networks and Data Communications II 5 1
Computer Science CT3532 Database Systems II 5 1
Computer Science CT3536 Games Programming 5 1
Computer Science CT404 Graphics and Image Processing 5 1
Computer Science CT417 Software Engineering III 5 1
Computer Science CT4100 Information Retrieval 5 1
Computer Science CT4101 Machine Learning 5 1
Computer Science CT436 Advanced Professional Skills 5 1
Computer Science CT5106 Software Engineering II 5 1
Computer Science CT561 Systems Modelling and Simulation 5 1

School of Engineering (SEng)

Subject Area Module Code Module Title ECTS Taught in Semester
Biomedical Engineering BME3134 Biomedical Engineering Design I 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME3132 Finite Element Methods in Engineering 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME328 Principles of Biomaterials 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME400 Biomechanics 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME405 Tissue Engineering 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME4104 Biomedical Engineering Senior Project 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME4109 Medical Image Analysis & Modelling 5 1
Biomedical Engineering BME5104 Finite Element Methods in Engineering II 5 1
Civil Engineering CE141 Introduction to Engineering and Design 1 (full year) 15 1 and 2
Civil Engineering CE2100 Building Information Modelling 5 1
Civil Engineering CE227 Strength of Materials (full year) 10 1 and 2
Civil Engineering CE3105 Environmental Engineering 5 1
Civil Engineering CE3113 Engineering Hydraulics II 5 1
Civil Engineering CE3119 Theory of Structures 5 1
Civil Engineering CE3103 Design of Structures I 5 1
Civil Engineering CE3122 Sustainable Waste Management 5 1
Civil Engineering CE343 Sustainable Energy 5 1
Civil Engineering CE344 Transportation Systems and Infrastructure I 5 1
Civil Engineering CE4101 Design of Structures III 10 1
Civil Engineering CE4102 Geomechanics II 5 1
Civil Engineering CE464 Design of Sustainable Environmental Systems I 5 1
Civil Engineering CE469 Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering 5 1
Civil Engineering CE472 Structural Analysis 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE219 Analogue Systems Design 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE220 Digital Systems I 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE231 Electronic Instrumentation and Sensors 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE3101 Electromechancial Power Conversion 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE345 Digital Systems II 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE352 Linear Control Systems 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE357 Signals and Communications 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE4103 Digital Control Systems for Automation and Robotics 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE445 Digital Signal Processing 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE451 System on Chip Design I 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE4101 Mobile Networks: Architecture and Services 5 1
Electrical & Electronic Engineering EE4102 Secure and Wireless Communication Technologies 5 1
Energy Systems Engineering EG400 Advanced Energy Systems Engineering 5 1
Mechanical Engineering IE221 Health and Safety Practice (full year) 10 1 and 2
Mechanical Engineering IE309 Operations Research 5 1
Mechanical Engineering IE446 Project Management 5 1
Mechanical Engineering IE448 Safety and Construction 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME2105 Manufacturing Technology and CAIRDE (full year) 5 1 and 2
Mechanical Engineering ME2106 Theory of Machines and CADD (full year) 5 1 and 2
Mechanical Engineering ME223 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME301 Fluid Dynamics 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME304 Mechanical Analysis And Design 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME322 Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME4103 Mechanical Engineering Final Year Project (full year) 10 1 and 2
Mechanical Engineering ME4104 Ergonomic Design of the Workplace (full year) 10 1 and 2
Mechanical Engineering ME4109 Materials II 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME4112 Computational Fluid Dynamics 5 1
Mechanical Engineering ME424 Energy Conversion 5 1

School of Mathematical and Statisical Sciences (SMSS)

Subject Area Module Code Module Title ECTS Taught in Semester
Applied Mathematics MP231 Mathematical Methods I 5 1
Applied Mathematics MP236 Mechanics I 5 1
Applied Mathematics MP305 Modelling I 5 1
Applied Mathematics MP345 Mathematical Methods I 5 1
Applied Mathematics MP356 Quantum Mechanics I 5 1
Applied Mathematics MP403 Cosmology and General Relativity 5 1
Applied Mathematics MP410 Non-Linear Elasticity 5 1
Computing CS2101 Programming for Science and Finance 5 1
Mathematics MA211 Calculus I 5 1
Mathematics MA215 Mathematical Molecular Biology I 5 1
Mathematics MA284 Discrete Mathematics (Higher Level) 5 1
Mathematics MA2286 Differential Forms (Higher Level) 5 1
Mathematics MA335 Algebraic Structures 5 1
Mathematics MA313 Linear Algebra I 5 1
Mathematics MA341 Metric Spaces (Higher Level) 5 1
Mathematics MA3343 Groups (Higher Level) 5 1
Mathematics MA385 Numerical Analysis I (Higher Level) 5 1
Mathematics MA416 Rings (Higher Level) 5 1
Mathematics MA490 Measure Theory (Higher Level) 5 1
Statistics ST2001 Statistics in Data Science I 5 1
Statistics ST311 Applied Statistics I 5 1
Statistics ST313 Applied Regression Models 5 1

School of Natural Sciences (SNS)

Subject Area Module Code Module Title ECTS Taught in Semester
Botany & Plant Science BPS202 Fundamentals in Aquatic Plant Science 5 1
Botany & Plant Science BPS3102 Plant Resources and Ecosystems 5 1
Botany & Plant Science BPS3103 Plant Function 5 1
Earth & Ocean Sciences EOS213 Introduction to Ocean Sciences 10 1
Earth & Ocean Sciences EOS323 Sediments and the sedimentary record 5 1
Earth & Ocean Sciences EOS305 Introduction to Applied Field Hydrology 5 1
Earth & Ocean Sciences EOS3103 Palaeontology and Evolution 5 1
Earth & Ocean Sciences EOS3107 Minerals, Magmas and Metamorphism 10 1
Physics PH1101 Mechanics and Thermal Physics 5 1
Physics PH101 Physics (full year) 15 1 and 2
Physics PH2102 Physics Laboratory and Problem Solving 5 1
Physics PH2105 Mechanics and Thermodynamics 5 1
Physics PH222 Astrophysical Concepts 5 1
Physics PH3101 Experimental and Computational Physics (full year) 15 1 and 2
Physics PH3102 Experimental and Computational Physics for Theroetical Physics (full year) 10 1 and 2
Physics PH328 Physics of the Environment I 5 1
Physics PH331 Wave Optics 5 1
Physics PH333 Quantum Physics 5 1
Physics PH338 Properties of Materials 5 1
Physics PH339 Radiation and Medical Physics 5 1
Physics PH341 Measurement of health hazards at work 5 1
Physics PH4101 Physics Problem Solving (full year) 5 1 and 2
Physics PH421 Quantum Mechanics 5 1
Physics PH422 Solid State Physics 5 1
Physics PH424 Electromagnetism and Special Relativity 5 1
Physics PH428 Atmospheric Physics and Climate Change 5 1
Physics PH430 Biophotonics 5 1
Zoology BO202 Evolution and the Tree of Life 5 1
Zoology ZO317 Evolutionary Biology 5 1
Zoology ZO3101 Marine Habitat 5 1

Human Biology subject areas

Subject Area Module Code Module Title ECTS Taught in Semester
Anatomy AN2101 Cells and Tissues 10 1
Anatomy AN230 Human Body Structure 5 1
Pharmacology PM208 Fundamental Concepts in Pharmacology 5 1
Pharmacology PM209 Applied Concepts in Pharmacology (must take PM208 if taking PM209) 5 1
Pharmacology PM311 Introduction to Toxicology 5 1
Physiology SI2101 Introduction to Physiology and Gastrointestinal 10 1
Physiology SI209 Neurophysiology 5 1
Physiology SI3102 Endocrinology 5 1
Physiology SI317 Human Body Function 10 1

Licence