Home › Courses▻Professional, Part-time and Evening Courses▻Medical Device Science (Specialist Diploma)

Medical Device Science (Specialist Diploma)

Expand all

Course Overview

This one-year, part-time specialist diploma aims to develop specialist knowledge of the medical devices sector and to develop relevant technical and soft skills. The qualification is a minor award at Degree level 8. This course is of benefit to people who require upskilling for career advancement within the medical devices sector, or for those looking for focused re-skilling with a view to a career change. On completion of the course, participants will have highly marketable, up-to-date knowledge and skills relevant to the medical devices sector. Students practice, and are assessed on, a range of technical and transferable skills relevant to meeting future skills needs in the workforce.

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 programme 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.

Medical Device Science: Anatomy, Biocompatibility & Device Design, Mechanics of Solids, Medical Device Design, Project.

Download Medical Device Science 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 BST117: Human Anatomy & Physiology


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 BST117: "Human Anatomy & Physiology" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST118: Biocompatibility & Device 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 BST118: "Biocompatibility & Device Design" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST119: Mechanics of Solids


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 BST119: "Mechanics of Solids" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST120: Medical Device Science


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 BST120: "Medical Device Science" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

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.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This course is intended for medical device operatives and technicians who wish to advance and hone their skills with a view to moving into management roles. It will also be beneficial to those from a science or engineering background who wish to transfer existing skills and develop specialist knowledge in order to move into the medical devices sector.

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

€1,960 p.a.*

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€2,460 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
NUI Galway, Nuns' Island
Galway
Tel: 091 494060
Email: sciencetech@nuigalway.ie

Eimear

Eimear O’Hara |   Current Student

I recently moved from a mechanical engineering role into medical devices and thought this course was well suited for a smoother transition. I found the project the most enjoyable aspect as the topic was relevant to my current role, and the data gathered was of practical use to the company. The project was complimented by each of the modules I undertook during the course. Although lectures are only held every month or so, the scope of modules in conjunction with continuous assessment mean that good time management is necessary for balancing the course with work and personal commitments. This course has provided me with greater confidence in terms of analysis of medical device literature, design and development. The course has been very helpful in terms of providing me with a good overview of medical device development and has complimented my new role well. I think the opportunity to study while working is a greater advantage, as opposed to full-time study, as I was able to observe the real-world implementation of many of the aspects I learned about in the classroom.
Sharon

Sharon Conway |   Student

I decided to return to education after an 18-year gap to reskill and challenge myself to enter a new industry in the thriving Med Tech sector here in the west of Ireland. The modules to be covered were Human Anatomy & Physiology, Mechanics of Solids, Medical Device Science and Biocompatibility & Device Design. There was also a Project to be completed on a specific area and topic of interest to complete also. The course overall allowed me to keep working full time and to enjoy a work/life balance, which was a major influencing factor. Before the world ever heard of what now has become Covid-19, lectures were on campus held on one Saturday every 2/3 weeks. As Covid-19 was an ever-changing situation the course assessments and examinations continued online. I was particularly looking forward to the day that was going to be spent in the biomechanical engineering laboratory. I have to say before starting this college course I was a little apprehensive and questioned my ability to fulfill the course work but having been reassured and encouraged by fellow students and staff to keep with it and stick at it and I am truly delighted and proud of my accomplishment.

Downloads

  • Adult Learning Prospectus

    Adult Learning Prospectus PDF (3.4 MB)

  • Technology Managment Courses

    Technology Managment Courses PDF (590KB)

  • Postgraduate Prospectus 2021

    Postgraduate Prospectus 2021 PDF (11.3MB)

  • Short Courses Series 2021

    Short Courses Series 2021 PDF (4.5 MB)