Program Overview

Design Engineering – BTech (Hons)

Course Overview

Ireland has a vibrant industrial community of advanced manufacturing engineering companies. This course looks to respond to the demand of this community, where there is a specific need for design engineers who can create innovative solutions to future problems through design thinking that is appropriately coupled with knowledge of how to bring these solutions to completion. If you are passionate about problem solving through ‘blue-sky’ creative thinking, but also want the capabilities to produce and realise real-world-ready design outcomes, this programme will meet those needs whilst also embedding the fundamental design and technological processes to get you there. The problems you work on and the solutions you develop can have a tangible impact on people’s lives. Whether you are designing a life-saving medical device or developing sustainable energy solutions, your work can make a positive difference in society, which can be immensely rewarding and impactful. Industry feedback consistently identifies the enhanced employability of graduates capable of combining creativity with abilities to follow proven development processes and deploy technical skills. Design Engineering requires a combination of technical skills, such as computer-aided design and manufacture (CAD/CAM), prototyping, and simulation, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

The Bachelor of Technology in Design Engineering combines the creativity embedded in the process and practice of design with the innovative engineering capabilities to utilise advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The course will equip learners with skills and aptitudes that will elevate their potential to conceive innovative solutions to real world problem statements. They will also be equipped with the technical abilities to fully develop and deploy these meaningful design solutions across a wide range of technological outputs. This integrated approach of creativity coupled with analytical and technological techniques makes for an adaptable future facing graduate.

Entry Requirements

• Leaving Certificate: A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade 06/H7, to include the subjects English OR Irish AND the subject Mathematics. In addition, applicants must present at least two subjects at grade H5. Minimum of 04 or H7 in Mathematics.
• Mature Applicants: Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.
• 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.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Innovation Practice: Ideation (10 credits)
• Technology and Society (5 credits)
• Engineering Materials 1 (5 credits)
• Engineering Workshop and Graphics 1.1 (5 credits)
• Foundations of Applied Maths (5 credits)

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Usability Research Techniques (5 credits)
• Introduction to Robotics (5 credits)
• Prototyping 1 (10 credits)
• Engineering Workshop and Graphics 1.2 (5 credits)
• Mechanics 1.1 (5 credits)

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Design for Manufacture (5 credits)
• Computer Aided Design 2 (5 credits)
• Design Engineering Innovation 1 (10 credits)
• System and Services Design (5 credits)
• Process Technology & Design 2 (5 credits)

Year 2 – Semester 2

• Robotics Programming & Vision 3 (5 credits)
• Prototyping 2 (5 credits)
• Design Engineering Innovation 2 (10 credits)
• Mechatronics practice 2 (5 credits)

Year 3 – Semester 1

• Work Placement Preparation (5 credits)
• Advanced Process Technology (5 credits)
• Computer Aided Engineering Design & Analysis (5 credits)
• Sustainable Operations & Supply Chain Management (5 credits)
• Integrated Automation (10 credits)

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Industry Project (5 credits)
• Work Placement 1 (15 credits)
• Industry 4.0 for Design Engineering (5 credits)
• Six Sigma 1 – Lean Sigma (5 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 1 – Semester 1

• Capstone Industry Project 2.1 (10 credits)
• Work Placement 2 – continued (15 credits)
• Professional Practice for Design Engineers (5 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 2

• Capstone Industry Project 2.2 (20 credits)
• Design Engineer as Entrepreneur (5 credits)
• Broadening and Diffusing Innovation (5 credits)

Career Opportunities

This programme is designed to better position our graduates for an exciting career of engineering solutions to future design challenges. Design Engineers are in high demand for competitive salaries and job opportunities from SMEs to large-scale multinational corporations. They play a key role and are often sought by industries that prioritise innovation through product development. The typical duties of a design engineer may include, product design, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and engineering prototypes to manufactural products.

Further Study

Successful graduates of this programme are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere.