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Automation and Control (Specialist Diploma)

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Course Overview

This one-year, part-time Specialist Diploma aims to develop knowledge around the issues and opportunities associated with automation and control technology and to improve skills in the areas of engineering materials including metals, ceramics, polymers and composite materials; manufacturing processes, both traditional and recently developed; and electronic manufacturing technologies. Students gain an understanding of industrial control systems, robotics and automated production lines.

The specialist diploma awards are particularly suitable for students requiring medium-term upskilling for career advancement or for those interested in focused study in this subject area for personal or topical interest. The specialist diplomas are linked to the degree cycle of the modular programme in Science & Technology Studies which allow students to specialise by choosing from a range of electives. These elective modules are also available as independent awards which students may take for the purposes of upskilling or retraining in the area of Automation & Control, Medical Device Science or Lean & Quality Systems.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Applications System. This course is listed under Adult Learning & CPD Courses Application.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

NB: Applicants must have successfully completed the Diploma in Science & Technology Studies, or a related NFQ Level 7 qualification, or otherwise prove that they satisfy the prerequisites of each of the modules as listed in the course outline section.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Assessment is through assignments, written examinations and in some cases practical laboratory sessions. Exams take place at the end of each semester. All modules from the course will be individually assessed.

The course is delivered by blended learning on a part-time basis. Candidates will receive learning materials in both online and in hard copy format for each module. Materials will be specifically designed for independent study and will be supplemented by supporting reading material and interactive learning resources where appropriate. The course requires attendance on campus for approximately 10 hours per module, mainly on Saturdays.

Notice: with the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus, we have decided to move classroom-based courses and blended learning seminars to a fully online teaching mode for the academic year 2020/21. The teaching schedule for the 2021/22 academic year will be reviewed over the coming months in line with government restrictions and social distancing guidelines. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of students & staff and our desire to continue to provide upskilling and professional development opportunities for all. If you have any queries regarding the format of online delivery mode, please contact your course administrator for further details.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed the Diploma in Science & Technology Studies or a related NFQ Level 7 qualification, or otherwise prove that they satisfy the prerequisites of each of the modules as listed in the course outline section.

Entry requirements for part-time students can be found in our FAQs section (i.e. age, english language requirements etc.). 


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, part-time

Next start date

September

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25-30

Closing Date

TBC

NFQ level

8

Mode of study

Blended learning

ECTS weighting

30

Award

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

Each specialist diploma consists of four inter-related taught modules and a project (chosen in consultation with their project supervisor), to allow individuals to up-skill in a particular area or study in a highly focused area of interest.

Automation and Control: Automation 1, Manufacturing Technology, Automation 2, Machine Design, Project.

Download Automation and Control brochure. 

 

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Required BST005: Project


Trimester 3 | Credits:

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST005: "Project" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST124: Machine Design


Trimester 3 | Credits:

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST124: "Machine Design" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST128: Automation 1


Trimester 3 | Credits:

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST128: "Automation 1" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST129: Manufacturing Technology


Trimester 3 | Credits:

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST129: "Manufacturing Technology" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST130: Automation 2


Trimester 3 | Credits:

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Department-based Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST130: "Automation 2" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This course is intended for those who wish to improve their skills in the areas of engineering materials including metals, ceramics, polymers and composite materials; manufacturing processes, both traditional and recently developed and electronic manufacturing technologies.

It will assist those who want to apply correct design principles to engineering components, to develop a knowledge of Jig and Fixture design for Manufacturing Systems, and to develop the ability to produce high quality engineering drawings on a CAD system.

The two automation modules give an overview of how automation has become important for industry, and the key strategies adopted by industry to deploy automation in order to improve competitiveness. Automation is used to improve a number of key performance indicators. The modules describes these in detail, as well as describing tangible and quantifiable goals for various automation projects.

By providing the relevant skills and training this course seeks to address the critical shortage in skills in the area of automation and machine control, supply chain management and manufacturing processes.

Who’s Suited to This Course

The specialist diplomas are primarily intended for students who already have a Science or Engineering related diploma or degree and who wish to up-skill or become expert in one of the specialist areas as offered through these one-year diploma courses.

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€2,060 p.a.*

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€2,560 p.a.

 
*Next Level Skillnet funding (40% fee subsidy) is available for this course. You also may be eligible for the Adult Learning Tuition Scholarship, find out more...

Find out More

Course Administrator

Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development
Nuns' Island
NUI Galway
Tel: 091 494060
Email: sciencetech@nuigalway.ie

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