Biology at Maynooth University

The Department of Biology at Maynooth University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. The twenty two academic staff of the department provide teaching for three degrees including BSc in Science (single and double honours), Biotechnology, and Biological and Biomedical Science as well as providing teaching to a wide range of Departments within the University. In total 1023 students took Biology modules in 2012/13 compared to 528 in 2002 which clearly demonstrates the growth of Biology within the University. Our final year class in 2012/13 contained 142 students who following graduation took employment in research, teaching, industry and postgraduate study.

In addition to our strengths in teaching the Biology Department is an extremely active research Department and currently employs 21 postdoctoral researchers and has 58 postgraduate students registered for MSc and PhD degrees. The Department has a prolific research output and staff published 53 peer reviewed papers in international Journals in 2007. Research income in the Department in 2007 was Euro 6.01 million and over the period 2002 – 2007 the total amount of research income obtained by staff of the Department was Euro 27.36 million. In addition to funding salaries of researchers and running projects this income has enabled the purchase of the most advanced technologies for molecular, proteomics and bioinformatics research. Recent funding success have meant that Biology at Maynooth University is one of the best equipped and resourced biological research Departments in Ireland. 

The staff of the Department are members of many research institutes including the National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, the Institute of Immunology and the Institute of Biopharmaceutical Science. The main strengths of the Department include Molecular Microbiology, Ecology, Immunology, Bioinformatics, Genetics and Cell Biology and staff have international reputations in these areas. New appointments in the Department have consolidated research strengths in Immunology and protein chemistry.

The Department of Biology at Maynooth University  aims:

  • to achieve excellence in teaching, training and research in the Biological Sciences.
  • to enhance students' knowledge and understanding of important concepts in the Biological Sciences and to develop their analytical, practical and communication skills and appreciation of environmental and other bioethical issues.
  • for national and international leadership in fundamental and strategic research to ensure the quality of the teaching programmes and to contribute to knowledge, understanding and the development of new technologies in the Biological Sciences, particularly those promoting improvements in medicine, agriculture and the environment.