BSc in Physics General Entry

1 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

Dublin City University DCU

Program Overview

DCU’s Physics with Biomedical Sciences degree is perfect for students who want to apply the principles of physics to medicine and healthcare. You’ll gain a strong foundation in core physics while exploring biomedical applications such as medical imaging, biophysics, and diagnostics, preparing you for careers at the cutting edge of science and healthcare.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year builds the scientific foundation with modules like Motion and Energy (PS101), Light and Optics (PS102), and Electricity and Magnetism (PS104). You’ll also study Calculus (MS129 & MS130), Introductory Chemistry (CS108), and Programming (CA146), alongside laboratory modules (PS151 & PS157) that develop practical skills. A distinctive module, Life, The Universe and Everything (PS118), introduces biomedical and astrophysics contexts, helping you see how physics connects to real-world applications.

Year 2

In second year, the focus shifts toward biomedical applications. You’ll study Biophysics (PS201) and Medical Physics (PS202), alongside advanced modules in Electronics (PS203) and Mathematical Methods (MS231). Laboratory work continues with Biomedical Physics Labs (PS251), where you’ll gain hands-on experience in medical imaging and diagnostic techniques.

Year 3

Third year deepens your specialization with modules such as Radiation Physics (PS301), Biomedical Instrumentation (PS302), and Computational Physics (PS303). You’ll also engage in group projects and lab-based research, applying physics to healthcare challenges. This year emphasizes both theoretical knowledge and practical problem-solving in biomedical contexts.

Year 4

Your final year culminates in an independent Research Project (PS451), often linked to DCU’s research centres like the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI). You’ll also study advanced modules such as Medical Imaging (PS401) and Nanoscience for Biomedicine (PS402). This year is designed to showcase your ability to conduct research, analyze data, and communicate findings—skills that employers and postgraduate programs value highly.

Focus Areas

Physics fundamentals, biomedical physics, medical imaging, biophysics, computational physics, nanoscience, laboratory research.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Apply physics principles to biomedical and healthcare contexts.
Use advanced laboratory and computational tools to solve real-world problems.
Conduct independent research and communicate scientific findings effectively.
Transition into careers in healthcare, research, or education with confidence.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program satisfies the Teaching Council of Ireland’s subject curricular requirements for teaching physics at post-primary level, ensuring graduates have accredited pathways into education as well as healthcare and research.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

DCU is ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings), reflecting strong industry partnerships and excellent career outcomes for physics graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

DCU’s Physics with Biomedical Sciences program is built around hands-on learning, ensuring you don’t just study physics—you actively apply it to healthcare and biomedical contexts. From your first year, you’ll spend time in laboratories, use advanced digital tools, and engage in projects that mirror real-world biomedical research. By final year, you’ll complete an independent research project and benefit from DCU’s strong industry and research institute connections.

Students gain practical skills through structured lab modules, computing workshops, and the INTRA work placement program, which places you in hospitals, research centres, or industry settings. This experiential emphasis means you graduate with both technical expertise and professional confidence. Here’s how it unfolds in practice:

Specialist Laboratories: Dedicated biomedical physics labs where you’ll work with instrumentation for medical imaging, radiation physics, and biophysics experiments.
Computing & Software Training: Programming modules introduce coding for scientific applications, while later years involve computational physics and data analysis software used in biomedical research.
Group Projects: Collaborative lab modules (e.g., PS251 Biomedical Physics Labs) require teamwork to design, run, and report experiments, building communication and project management skills.
Final-Year Research Project (PS451): Each student undertakes an independent project supervised by DCU staff, often linked to research centres such as the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) or the **National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR).
INTRA Internship: A structured placement program that connects students with hospitals, healthcare technology companies, and research institutes, giving you real-world biomedical experience.
Digital Tools & Data Analysis: Training in simulation and modelling software, alongside lab-based data acquisition systems, ensures you’re fluent in modern biomedical methods.
Research Institutes: Strong links with DCU’s BDI and NCSR provide exposure to interdisciplinary projects in diagnostics, nanotechnology, and sensor development.
Library & Learning Resources: The O’Reilly Library offers extensive physics and biomedical collections, journals, and digital databases to support coursework and projects.
Campus Experience: Opportunities to attend seminars, guest lectures, and outreach activities hosted by the School of Physical Sciences, connecting you with Ireland’s wider scientific community.

This combination of labs, internships, and research projects ensures you graduate not only with knowledge but with the confidence to apply it in healthcare, research, or education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of DCU’s Physics with Biomedical Sciences program are uniquely prepared for careers at the intersection of physics and healthcare. With expertise in medical imaging, biophysics, and computational analysis, alumni move into roles such as medical physicist, biomedical researcher, clinical technologist, or data analyst. This combination of scientific depth and applied healthcare focus makes DCU graduates highly employable across hospitals, research institutes, and technology companies.

Here’s how DCU supports your journey from student to professional:

University Career Services: The DCU Careers Service provides tailored support through CV workshops, employer networking events, and access to the INTRA work placement program, which places students in hospitals, research centres, and healthcare technology companies.
Employment Stats: DCU ranks in the top 200 globally for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings), with physics graduates reporting strong outcomes in healthcare, education, and technology sectors.
Industry Partnerships: The program benefits from DCU’s close ties with the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) and the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR), giving students exposure to applied biomedical projects and industry collaborations.
Accreditation Value: The degree satisfies the Teaching Council of Ireland’s subject curricular requirements for teaching physics, ensuring graduates have accredited pathways into education as well as healthcare and research.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni have progressed into careers in medical imaging, radiation therapy support, biophysics research, and data-driven healthcare innovation, reflecting the program’s strong alignment with Ireland’s biomedical sector.

Further Academic Progression

After completing the Physics with Biomedical Sciences program, you can continue into advanced study at DCU or internationally:

MSc in Biomedical Diagnostics – ideal for graduates aiming to deepen expertise in medical technologies and diagnostics.
MSc in Astrophysics and Relativity – for those interested in broadening their physics foundation while applying analytical skills to new domains.
PhD opportunities in Biomedical Physics and Applied Sciences – DCU’s research centres provide supervision in cutting-edge areas such as medical imaging, nanotechnology, and sensor development.
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) – enabling graduates to qualify as secondary school physics teachers in Ireland.

This progression ensures you can tailor your future—whether you want to advance biomedical research, contribute to healthcare innovation, or inspire the next generation in education.