Science & Technology Studies (Diploma)

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Course Overview

The Diploma in Science & Technology Studies is a part-time course which focuses on the knowledge and skill requirements of high-tech industries. The modular structure is designed with flexibility in mind, enabling students to balance study with work and other commitments and to accumulate credits over a time frame that suits their lifestyle. Learning is delivered via a blend of distance and online resources, on-campus tutorials and labs, and company-based projects.

This course aims to:

provide students with a comprehensive grounding in the theoretical foundations of Science and Engineering
introduce students to areas of applied and specialist knowledge found in today’s high-tech environments
develop important managerial skills such as problem solving, decision making and advanced communication skills

Mode of Study: Blended Learning

Applications and Selections

Applications are now closed for 2021. Applications for part-time courses will reopen in April 2022.

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

Assessment is through assignments, written exams 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 online 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.

Awards: Diploma in Science & Technology Studies - on successful completion of 20 modules or 120 ECTS.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants under 21 years of age on January 1 in year of entry must meet the following minimum entry requirements: A minimum of HC3 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at H or O level in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) including; English, Irish, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science and any other subject recognised for entry purposes.

Applicants aged 21 years and olderby January 1 in year of entry may enter as mature students. In this case a pass standard in ordinary/higher level Leaving Certificate Mathematics or equivalent is required. Apart from the requirement in Mathematics assessment of applicants will be on an individual basis to determine suitability to successfully undertake the course.

Applicants without a leaving certificate are encouraged to first complete the Foundation Course in Science, Engineering and Technology. Graduates of the Foundation Course are automatically eligible for entry to the Diploma.

Additional Requirements

Duration

2-4 years

Next start date

September

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25-30

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Closed

NFQ level

Level 7

Mode of study

Blended Learning

ECTS weighting

120

Award

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

The Diploma consists of 20 modules to be completed over a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 years (see the module chart for the Diploma/Degree below). The modules on offer include:

Core modules which cover the foundations of Science, Engineering, Management and IT
Electives which allow students to specialise in an area of particular interest to them
Company-based projects to help students apply their learning in the workplace

Students who have successfully completed the Diploma can automatically progress to the Degree in Science & Technology Studies or to one of the Specialist Diplomas listed below:

Exemptions: Applicants who have completed accredited study in a relevant area may apply for exemptions. Credit may also be granted for demonstrable experiential learning. Exemptions may be granted up to a maximum of 5 modules in the Diploma cycle. Exemptions are considered by the programme board on a case-by-case basis.

Science & Technology Modules for Degree and Diploma

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.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (120 Credits)

Year 2 (120 Credits)

Further Education

Students who have successfully completed the Diploma can automatically progress to the Degree in Science & Technology Studies or to one of the Specialist Diplomas listed below:

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Management roles in the following sectors: medical devices, biotechnology, scientific services, high-end and specialist manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food science etc.

Who’s Suited to This Course

The course is primarily intended to support those seeking career advancement in a variety of high tech industries such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and manufacturing. It will also appeal to those with a personal interest in Science and Technology.

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€3,831 p.a. (€383 per module)*

Fees: Tuition

€3,691 p.a.

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a.

Fees: Non EU

€4,331 p.a. (€433 per module + €500 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
Tel: 091 494060
Email: sciencetech@nuigalway.ie

Denis Lymer | Student

I chose this course as my previous job was coming to an end and I wanted to upskill in an area that interested me. Getting a degree was a long-standing ambition of mine but I had been out of education for many years and was apprehensive about returning as an adult. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. The course is flexible in nature and allows students to select subjects they are interested in from a wide-range of modules covering many aspects of Science & Engineering. There are mandatory modules designed to give you a broad grounding in the fundamentals but you can choose to study the subjects that interest you most alongside these. You can complete a course schedule similar to standard college semesters, or tackle less modules as your time allows. The material is taught via a mixture of online learning, classroom tutorials and/or labs at the weekends. I found this a really enjoyable way to study and you have the same, full access to all the campus facilities and benefits as full-time students such as the college library & student assistance groups. I really enjoyed many of the modules. I was a bit nervous about Maths but that ended up being one of my favourite subjects.

Martin McNamara | Student

The course has a great variety of modules and being able to choose four elective modules, allowed me to tailor some of the course to suit my needs for what I wanted to help in my career. A module which I found to be very useful for me was CAD modelling. The software used in the module was solidworks, which is the same software used in my company. Having never used solidworks before, by the end of the module I had a strong understand of the basics of the software and could create very detailed drawings. I recently moved into a new role in work and having a good knowledge of solidworks was a definite advantage over others going for the same role. This course has broadened my knowledge of the industry and opened more possibilities of where I can take my career. I found the flexibility of being able to complete the course between two and four years great as I was able find a balance between home life, work and education that suited me. The benefit of this course to me was a major factor for me when choosing to follow on and start the degree cycle of this course which I hope will further enhance my career prospects.