Engineering (Common Entry) – BEng

CAO Points: 231
Campus: Athlone
years: 3

Course Code US773
Level 7
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Department Mechanical, Polymer Engineering & Design

Course Overview

Our common first year has been developed to give our students sufficient time and experience to come to an informed choice on which mechanical engineering course they wish to pursue at TUS Midlands. This broad experience of some of the major areas in mechanical, energy, polymer, and automation and robotics will better enable the individual to carry on to the second year, knowing they have an interest and aptitude for a particular field.

This is a common first year for our students, which will mean that the core engineering subjects will be taught to a large group of first years. This gives our students additional means to determine their best fit, as they will be able to talk to other students in different courses with shared syllabi. Some students who have a passion for robotics may feel that automation and robotics is the course for them, others may feel that a mechanical engineering qualification will provide a strong foundation for an interesting and successful career. Students who have an interest in materials, science and chemistry might pursue polymer and mechanical engineering, while those with a passion for the environment and sustainability might select mechanical engineering with energy.

During the first year of the programme, our students are exposed to a learning environment that allows them to make informed choices about the next stage of their learning. The options available, are dependent on the aptitudes, interests and career opportunities in the different fields. First-year students can talk to lecturers and other students to determine the best approach for them in their career. This gathering of information is very useful for students who know they want to do engineering but are not fully decided on what stream is best suited to them.

Further Information

Graduates of all four courses will gain a core common set of skills in mechanical engineering while each will be differentiated by distinct streams that target specific discipline areas.

Mechanical Engineering graduates may be employed as technicians in, for example the automotive, medical device, pharmaceutical, ICT, manufacturing or precision engineering sectors.
Mechanical Engineering with energy graduates will be employable as mechanical engineers as well as have a specific training in energy technologies, giving them the opportunity to work on energy efficiency projects for enterprises or with companies developing renewable energy systems.
Polymer and mechanical engineering graduates can expect to find employment as technicians looking after and taking responsibility for the production of the product. They will also identify processes, equipment, and documentation improvements where possible and take part in improvement projects as assigned.
Automation and Robotics graduates receive a more specific training in electronics automation and mechanical engineering that qualifies them to work as technicians in advanced manufacturing environments, configuring and maintaining production lines or automated mechanical processes. They work across sectors that have high levels of automation.

Why study this course?

This programme provides a common entry year 1 to the following Level 7 programmes:

Further details about each programme can be found in the College Prospectus or on each modules webpage

What will I experience?

At TUS Midlands, Engineering education is very practical. Almost 50% of your time will be spent in state-of-the-art laboratories developing your practical engineering skills, and the other 50% will be spent on engineering theory and its application.

While studying on this course students will:

visit some of our industrial partners to experience the role of a mechanical engineer.
gain valuable work experience by completing a six month work placement in industry.
operate high-end technical engineering equipment in our cutting edge engineering laboratories
Improve their teamwork and communications skills by working as part of small teams on problem-solving and projects.
will develop their problem –solving skills and reasoning techniques.
will work on topic-specific problems, both as part of a team and as an individual and develop your lifelong learning skills.
Will develop an ethical awarenews with regard to the engineering profession, the environment and society.

Contact Details

Eoin McIntyre

Email: Eoin.McIntyre@tus.ie

Phone: (090) 6468176

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Grade 06 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

QQI

Any QQI level 5 qualification is acceptable. Applicants to this programme are required, however, to have one specified mathematics module included in their award either module mathematics (5N1833) or Maths for IT (5N18396) or Maths for STEM (5N0556) or alternatively have Leaving Certificate mathematics.

Mature Applicants

Candidates appling as mature applicats (23 years of age on 1st January prior to admission) must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). As a mature applicant, you have the opportunity to provide additional information about yourself which may help with your application. You can provide details on your employment history, your hobbies and interets, any voluntary work you have done etc.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

Communications for Manufacturing 1.1

Credits: 5

This course will develop students interpersonal skills, focusing on conversation, active listening and body language. It will also improve students knowledge of learning and help them develop the skills for lifelong learning.
Engineering Science 1

Credits: 5

This module introduces the candidates to the fundamental principles of physics in an engineering context. It contains theoretical, practical and empirical material
Mechanics 1.1

Credits: 5

This module will introduce to the student to the basic concepts of engineering mechanics related to simple engineering systems. It will broaden the student’s knowledge of the basic principles that are fundamental to mechanical engineering design and the operation of mechanical systems.
Engineering Materials 1.1

Credits: 5

A strong knowledge of engineering materials is essential for a manufacturing engineer when designing, manufacturing and analysing a product. The module is primarily concerned with the structure-processing-property relationship of engineering materials with an introduction to the four main categories of materials Polymers, Metals, Ceramics/Glasses, Composite.
Processing of Engineering Materials and Engineering Workshop and Graphics 1.1

Credits: 5

The overall aim of this module is to introduce students to drawing, machining and safety. The module provides the student with the skills needed to draw, read and interpret engineering drawings. The students are introduced to CAD software to produce drawing templates. The module provides the student with the skills and knowledge of current standards in engineering drafting practice in both manual and computer aided drawing. The workshop component develops safety skills, safety awareness, machine tool milling and turning skills and assembly of engineering components. Teaching strategies are employed to develop the students’ ability to problem-solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning.
Mathematics

Credits: 5

This course gives students a foundation in the mathematics required for the study of Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering and Automation & Robotics.

Year 1 – Semester 2

Communications for Manufacturing 1.2

Credits: 5

This course will continue to develop students skills in communication, focusing on presentation skills both with and without notes, academic writing styles and structures. Students will carry out extensive work with Excel, to include creating and manipulating formulae and graphs. They will also learn to apply basic statistics to excel.
Electronics Technology 1

Credits: 5

This module is an introduction to electronics. The theory of electronics will be taught by way of lectures. The lectures will be supported by lab- based activities. Students will acquire skills to identify components, perform calculations, build and test simple circuits. This module will be of benefit to future electronics and electromechanical studies.
Mechanics 1.2

Credits: 5

The module will expand the students’ knowledge of solid mechanics with work on friction, simple machines, work power energy, linear and angular motion. It will broaden the student’s knowledge of the basic principles that are fundamental to mechanical engineering design and the operation of mechanical systems.
Processing of Engineering Materials 1

Credits: 5

The aim of this module is to introduce students to modern engineering processes. The processing of polymers, metals, ceramics and glasses will be covered. Students will get hands-on experience using a range of polymer processing equipment.
Engineering Workshop and Graphics 1.2

Credits: 5

In this module students experience hands on safe mechanical workshop practices. The importance of safety within a workshop environment. A knowledge of machine tools associated with workshop practices. The module provides students with the skills and the knowledge of current standards in engineering draughting practice in computer-aided design. Students ability to problem solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning are central to this module.
Mathematics 1.2

Credits: 5

This course gives students a foundation in the mathematics required for the study of Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering and Automation & Robotics.

What can you do after this programme?

Further Study

This course provides a common entry year 1 to the following level 7 courses:

It has been developed to give students sufficient time and experience to come to an informed choice as to which specific mechanical engineering course they wish to follow. This broad experience of some of the major areas in mechanical, renewable/sustainable energy, automation, and robotics will better enable the students to carry on to second year, knowing they have an interest and aptitude for a particular field.

Career Opportunities

Mechanical engineers are responsible for the design, manufacture and operation of the mechanical systems and processes that are all around us. Upon completion of this programme graduates can expect to find employment at the technician level in high-tech manufacturing industries, mechanical industries, building services and design. Engineering graduates at this level will work in design, manufacturing and production, quality control, automation, planning logistics and supply, technical sales support with contracting and technical service industries. The course equips students with the theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical expertise demanded by leading global employers to work in this constantly evolving field.

Assessment Information

At TUS Midlands we provide candidates with a set of transferable skills with a strong focus on practical experiments, problem solving and case study work. We place emphasis on candidate support and aim to provide a learning environment that is both stimulating and academically challenging, whilst also supporting your learning. You will encounter a range of teaching methods that include but are not limited to: