About Forensic & Pharmaceutical Science- Bsc (honours) in Limerick Institute of Technology

What is the programme about?

This programme is the first and most reputable of its kind in Ireland. Students achieve a detailed knowledge and understanding of the sciences underpinning the forensic, pharmaceutical and analytical fields. Students will gain exposure to, and experience in, the methodology and techniques at the forefront of these major scientific areas. In LIT, we place an emphasis on “hands-on work” (approximately 50% of scheduled course work), endowing our graduates with a highly desirable and much sought-after set of skills and expertise: experience in pharmaceutical and forensic science combined with a range of analytical techniques which make graduates highly sought after by employers. Since the beginning of this programme, selected student(s) have been employed each year by the State Laboratory for their work placement.

Who is the programme suited to?

​Students who like working in laboratories using Scientific Evidence to solve problems. The programme is ideal for students with a questioning mind and interested in using Science to solve problems. It will suit any student interested in laboratory Science. This is the most established programme of its kind in Ireland. The six months work placement at home or abroad gives graduates an edge when seeking employment.

Top 3 Reasons

1. This is the first and most reputable programme of its kind in Ireland.

2. Upon graduation you may have an opportunity to progress to a Masters or PhD by research.

3. Your career prospects are diverse with graduates holding public and private sector jobs in analyst labs, state labs, health care, the pharmaceutical industry and more.

Class Contact Hours

24 hours per week

Graduates Work For

• Allergan
• Microchem
• Schwartz Pharma
• Pfizer

Graduate Profile

“I really enjoyed completing the Pharmaceutical & Forensic programme as it gave me all the scientific skill that I could ever need, but those skills were introduced to me and further developed by a team of lecturers and support staff that only ever had our best interests in mind. It is a brilliant programme and it was the main reason behind my decision to start an MSc in Forensic Drug Detection.”
Jer Hayes

Further Studies

​Upon graduation students may progress to a Masters or PhD by research – previous graduates having completed research within LIT, other Irish universities, Oxford University (Ph.D.), University of York (Ph.D.), etc.

For graduates that wish to proceed immediately to employment, career prospects are diverse - with graduates holding public and private sector jobs in state labs, healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry, analyst labs and more. The employment record of our graduates within Ireland has been excellent. However, our graduates have also obtained positions in North America, UK and Australia.

Course Contact

Contact: Dr. Elaine Raggett, Programme Leader 
Tel: (061) 293835 
Email: elaine.raggett@lit.ie 
www.lit.ie/Courses/LC265

​​School/Faculty Contact

Telephone: +353 - 61- 293000 | Fax: +353 - 61- 293001 | e-mail: aset@lit.ie​

Head of Department

Ms Michelle McKeon Bennett, B.Sc. M.Sc. MICI, MEASI

Dean of School/Faculty

Ms. Maria Kyne, B.E., M.Eng. Science, H.Dip. Ed, C.Eng, FIEI 
Paschal Meehan, B. Eng (Hons), EEP, FTC

Entry Requirement

Leaving Certificate: A minimum of 2 H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

FETAC Applicants and Mature Applicants: Refer to section ‘Entry Requirements’ for further information.

IELTS score for entry to undergraduate courses a minimum score of 5.5