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Technology Commercialisation (PDip)

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Course Overview

You will develop an understanding of venture capital financing, the patenting process, business strategy, financial management, marketing and technology development. You will learn how to identify technology-based business opportunities, with particular focus on how to assess their market potential and how to judge their appeal to the venture capital community. You will establish the importance of innovation for the exploitation of new technological developments and the transfer process for this technology to enable commercialisation. You will gain an understanding of the importance of intellectual property and patenting as a key element of commercialisation.

On completion of this postgraduate diploma, students can then progress to our Masters in Technology Management and gain exemptions for modules completed, see Progression Options.

Find out more: www.aua.ie

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.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Each module is assessed individually by a range of assignments throughout the semester. A selection of these assignments will be group based. Ideally assessment elements and projects will be based on data, topics and situations from the student’s own working life. There are no formal sit-down exams.

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 are expected to hold an undergraduate degree, First or Second Class Honours (or equivalent international qualification) in any discipline, along with three years of relevant industrial experience; or an ordinary or third class honours degree with five years’ work experience; or a recognised professional qualification with five years’ work experience.


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, part-time

Next start date

September

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

Unlimited

Closing Date

25 July 2021

NFQ level

Mode of study

Blended learning

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

1PTD1

Course Outline

The Diploma in Technology Commercialisation seeks to improve Ireland’s expertise in Technology Commercialisation and to upskill the next generation of entrepreneurs focused on new and emerging technologies. It provides information and guidance to potential entrepreneurs in business planning, securing project finance and gaining the knowledge needed to commercialise new technologies, products and services.

The course is delivered in association with the University College Cork (UCC). The course comprises 30 ECTS. There are four individual modules and a project to complete (modules = 5 ECTS each; company project = 10 ECTS).

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 MG690: In Company Project


15 months long | Credits: 10

The student completes a research/practical project in the area of Technology Commercialisation or Innovation Management. This module gives a student the opportunity to further develop novel technologies that are near-commercialization or start at the very beginning of identifying what needs to be done to get to commercialisation stage. This project may allow you to support research/development in all areas of technology including medical devices, electronics, software, communications, engineering, etc. This project module can give an opportunity to look at innovation projects that are integrated into the business at both strategic and operational levels.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify a suitable project relevant to the area of Innovation, Technology Commercialisation or to a new business/entrepreneurial idea or concept
  2. Specify the scope of the proposed project or study in terms of a project definition, objectives and outcomes
  3. Apply the appropriate tools, methods, techniques and technologies in the development and management of the project related to the course
  4. Make comprehensive recommendations on further work necessary on the project or which would improve the outcome
  5. Publish a project report on the research, methodology, conduct and findings of the project
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 MG690: "In Company Project" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required AY620: Technology, Finance & Capital


15 months long | Credits: 5

The module content is designed to apply the theories and concepts of Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Business Finance to the decision making process within small, medium and global organisations. The financial strategies associated with the achievement of predetermined key performance indicators are fully explored within the module. The function of strategic management accounting is a focal point as a creator of vital information for enhancing operational excellence and formulation and implementation of new strategies. The relationship between Investment and return and the management of capital are given a high priority. Case studies are included in the module content as a valuable learning resource in topic areas such as Activity Based Costing, the Balanced Scorecard and Investment Appraisal Analysis.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand the content of the main financial statements (Profit & Loss Account, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement)
  2. Identify the main methods of securing long-term finance for a company
  3. Critically examine and evaluate the financial performance of an organisation through the use of Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)
  4. Evaluate the likely benefits to be derived from the use of Activity Based Costing (ABC) to assist strategic decision making
  5. Explain and demonstrate understanding as to why organisations budget and the process by which budgets are developed
  6. Evaluate the key factors in choosing a cost structure using Cost –Volume-Profit Analysis (CVP)
  7. Explain the relationship between the Cost of Capital and the Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)
  8. Apply methods of investment appraisal to evaluate real lean projects
  9. Explain the underlying theory and concept of the Balanced Scorecard
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 AY620: "Technology, Finance & Capital" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required MG670: Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship


15 months long | Credits: 5

The module reviews a broad range of topics that critically affect technology-based start-up companies. It is designed to help the learner develop strong conceptual foundations for understanding and exploiting technological innovation and entrepreneurship. More specifically, it aims to equip the learner with an understanding of the technology innovation lifecycle and the key issues involved in entrepreneurship and new venture creation. The module reviews concepts and frameworks to create, commercialise and capture value from technology-based products and services. It aims to provide the learner with a comprehensive toolbox to enable the learner to identify opportunities, and develop feasibility studies and business plans in order to develop and manage innovation throughout the product lifecycle, and exploit a new technological venture. In summary, the module aims to: • Present a curriculum in the area of technology innovation and entrepreneurship • Provide easy-to-access, state-of-the-art reference material in the area of technology innovation and entrepreneurship to help learners to understand the essential fundamental concepts involved in the discipline. • Equip learners with the values, best practices, skills and supporting tools necessary to effectively design, develop and deploy technical projects in their organisations and to empower users to autonomously apply these concepts and tools.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Develop transferable skills such as creative thinking, problem specification, team working, and the ability to synthesise and apply acquired knowledge to solve real-world problems
  2. Explain the critical influencing factors for successful technology development and execution processes
  3. As an entrepreneur, write an effective feasibility study and business plan to negotiate and secure funding for technology related projects
  4. Present a curriculum in the area of technology innovation and entrepreneurship
  5. Provide easy-to-access, state-of-the-art reference material in the area of technology innovation and entrepreneurship to help learners to understand the essential fundamental concepts involved in the discipline
  6. Equip learners with the values, best practices, skills and supporting tools necessary to effectively design, develop and deploy technical projects in their organisations and to empower users to autonomously apply these concepts and tools
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 MG670: "Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required MG620: Innovation & Technology Transfer


15 months long | Credits: 5


(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. TBC
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 MG620: "Innovation & Technology Transfer" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required MK620: Marketing Technology Products


15 months long | Credits: 5

This module introduces you to the world of marketing. What is marketing all about? To put it in a nutshell, marketing is two things. First, it is a business philosophy whose main premise is that the customer is king and that if a company can provide enough people with exactly what they want, they will make a profit. This implies that marketing is a particular way of looking at the world of business. This in itself is rather intangible and explains why there is a lot of uncertainty regarding marketing’s domain. Second, marketing is a business function, which is much more tangible. The dominant view holds that marketing is the business function responsible for finding out what the customer wants (marketing research), providing the customer with that product or service (product development), in a convenient outlet at the right time and in the right quantities (distribution), and information the customer about the product or service (marketing communications). It is about planning the future of the company and staying ahead of the competition. Increasingly, this also necessitates relationship building as organisations pursue customer loyalty. Consequently, marketing is a critical activity in the business enterprise. While there are many obvious opportunities provided by increasingly complex, dynamic and competitive markets, companies lacking marketing skills face huge risks.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Understand the nature of Marketing
  2. Identify and explore the key components of market orientation
  3. Understand customer groups and customer buyer behaviour
  4. Explore and interrogate competitive advantage
  5. Understand the key factors influencing marketing activities and practices
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 MK620: "Marketing Technology Products" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional MG680: In Company Project


15 months long | Credits: 10

The student completes a research/practical project in the area of Technology Commercialisation or Innovation Management. This module gives a student the opportunity to further develop novel technologies that are near-commercialization or start at the very beginning of identifying what needs to be done to get to commercialisation stage. This project may allow you to support research/development in all areas of technology including medical devices, electronics, software, communications, engineering, etc. This project module can give an opportunity to look at innovation projects that are integrated into the business at both strategic and operational levels.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify a suitable project relevant to the area of Innovation, Technology Commercialisation or to a new business/entrepreneurial idea or concept
  2. Specify the scope of the proposed project or study in terms of a project definition, objectives and outcomes
  3. Apply the appropriate tools, methods, techniques and technologies in the development and management of the project related to the course
  4. Make comprehensive recommendations on further work necessary on the project or which would improve the outcome
  5. Publish a project report on the research, methodology, conduct and findings of the project
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 MG680: "In Company Project" and is valid from 2018 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities are available in both private and public sector organisations, particularly in those directly involved in research, innovation, technology transfer and marketing activities and in new or emerging technologies. As the course is delivered on a part-time basis, the majority of students are in full-time employment or actively seeking employment while studying. The course is also suitable for students who have a business idea and wish to explore its potential through a structured course. Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma with an average grade of 2.1 honours may apply for the MSc in Technology Management with exemptions.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€3,950*

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€4,450

 

*Next Level Skillnet funding (40% fee subsidy) is available for this course, find out more...

Find out More

Niamh Nolan
T: +353 91 493 746
E: niamh.nolan@nuigalway.ie

Helen Buckley
School of Engineering
University College Cork
Tel: 021 490 2661
Email: h.buckley@ucc.ie

www.aua.ie

What Our Students Say

Sandra

Sandra Lavin |   Graduate

This course has been life changing for me. Since finishing I have gained employment as a product commercialisation and solutions engineer in a Sligo based technology start-up. The course improved my knowledge, skills and abilities in this area, and has fuelled my passion and increased my confidence to establish my own company.
John

John Murphy |   Graduate

I took on the challenge of the Diploma in Technology Commercialisation programme to put some “current theory behind 25+ years of practice” and the results have been both of personal development and an extremely rewarding journey. I would strongly recommend this programme to anyone that is interested in becoming a more valuable “business resource” within your organisation or significantly enhancing your CV for career advancement.

Downloads

  • Adult Learning Prospectus

    Adult Learning Prospectus PDF (3.4 MB)

  • Postgraduate Prospectus 2021

    Postgraduate Prospectus 2021 PDF (11.3MB)

  • Short Courses Series 2021

    Short Courses Series 2021 PDF (4.5 MB)

  • Technology Managment Courses

    Technology Managment Courses PDF (590KB)