This module delivers the essentials of programming and spreadsheet technology appropriate to the needs of the engineer in employment in manufacturing or related industry.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the core concepts of computer programming;

2. Develop programs that use core programming structures such assequential, conditional and iterative
control structures withVisual Basic for Applications (VBA);

3. Design an effective event-based software application incorporating spreadsheets to address basic engineering and production requirements;

4. Construct the designed software application using a commercial application development environment;
5. Test and debug the constructed application;
6. Demonstrate, install and manage the tested application.

The student will be introduced to the standards, tools, methodologies and techniques of project management.

The student complete a minor group project in the Quality Module worth 15%. As part of Project Management the students will be taught how to plan, schedule and close out this project.

1. Apply the principles and methodologies of project management to their specialist discipline.
2. Apply project management techniques and systems in their specialist discipline.
3. Recognise the complexities of team based management.
4. Structure project or job tasks, schedule and manage.
5. Apply engineering and project management techniques to real problems in industry or laboratory settings
6. Combine various aspects of the course in a practical context through preparing and delivering presentations / reports on the specification / scope, planning and implementing of a project

This module provide an introduction to key principles, strategies, models and techniques used by organisations in the management of their operations.

1. Identify the role, tools and impact of Operations Management in the organization.
2. Compare and contrast appropriate strategies and competitive behaviour for sustainable organisations.Factors to include environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

3. Apply the stage gate process and engineering tools to Product, Process and Facility design.
4. Use an Enterprise Resource Planning system to perform capacity planning, inventory management and materials requirements planning.
5. Solve basic operations improvement problems.
6. Define how operational budgets are created.

An introduction to Six Sigma, which will both explain the concepts and use the techniques of Six Sigma.

1. Explainthe Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control steps in Six Sigma. Describe lean engineering and the origins of Six sigma.
2. Use ‘Define’ phase tools to decide on the process improvement of a Six Sigma project
3. Determine the current performance using a variety of ‘Measure’ tools
4. Use the ‘Analyse’ tools, including inferential statistics to determine the issues to be addressed.
5. Use the ‘Improve’ tools, to experiment and assess the process optimisation.
6. ‘Control’ the process to verify the variances are corrected, select appropriate statistical process control (SPC) techniques.

The aims of this module are to help the students develop an understanding of the underlying knowledge and related methods of Process Planning and Computer Aided Process Planning, and to equip the students with the skills required in carrying out the process planning (PP) function.

1. Review manufacturing strategy, systems, organisational structures, processing strategies and plant layouts to define the most suitable manufacturing environment

2. Describe the process planning functions, the role of process planning in manufacturing, the characteristics of traditional and Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) systems, and the structure of typical CAPP systems and Group Technology (GT)

3. Implement Manual Process Planning system in consideration of process planning criteria, and industrial considerations

4. Implement parametrical design in terms of computer aided process planning (CAPP) criteria

5. Implement Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) systems in consideration of process planning criteria, and industrial considerations

6. Review relevant principles of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), philosophy, implementation and functionality

7. Identify issues relevant to green manufacturing, design for environment and recycling, part life cycle assessment, sustainability

This module gives an introduction to Lean Engineering Concepts and Tools (including Lean Manufacturing and Lean Services), and to the Principles of Change Management. Lean manufacturing, originally developed by Toyota, is widely practiced in Irish industry and is vital for its continued competitiveness.

1. Explain and critique the principles of lean engineering and change management and their applicability to manufacturing, services and to the interaction with customers.
2. Perform data analysis in MS Excel to solve Lean Engineering problems.
3. Review and analyse lean case studies
4. Perform lean manufacturing analysis (Value Stream mapping, Overall Equipment Effectiveness, Takt Time Calculation, Process Throughput measurement, 5S) to identify areas for improvement, and solve problems
5. Evaluate problems and select optimisation solutions appropriately, in order to ensure that an ethicaland environmental sustainabilityengineering approachis taken.

In this module students are introduced to the technology used to automate industrial tasks. They look at advantages and disadvantages of automation in the contest of technical and financial viability.

1. Describe the principle of operation andcharacteristicsof sensors, actuators and controllers.

2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of control strategies including open loop, closed loop, sequential control, process control, PID control.

3. Investigate robotic capability, technology and anatomy.

4. Evaluate the technical and financial viability of automated production systems.

5. Investigatethe application, benefits and implementation of Flexible Manufacturing Systems with particular reference to Bottleneck modelling.

This module will provide students with a solid statistics foundation relevant to a manufacturing engineer. The module will develop the students' ability to analyse, solve and understand differential equations for various applications in manufacturing engineering analysis.

1. Graphically display and numerically summarise data using methods of descriptive statistics.
2. Apply the rules of probability and use probability models for data analysis .
3. Compute and interpret point and interval estimates of population parameters .
4. Formulate and test hypotheses about a population mean and/or proportion.
5. Use mathematical and statistical techniques for fitting curves to data.
6. Construct and interpret control charts.
7. Formulate and identify differential equations.
8. Integrate single variable functions using various techniques.

This module introduces students to the manufacturing technologies relevant to the MedTech sector. Students will get a basic introduction to materials and material processing technologies which will allow them to identify the right material and process for a given product.

1. Describe and critique the main manufacturing technologies relevant to the MedTech Sector and other regulated sectors.

2. Research, identify and justify a system or process for the manufacture of a given product or products.
3. Identify and justify materials for the manufacture of medical devices.

This module will deal with the Quality Assurance systems and quality management principles needed in manufacturing and service organisations.

This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the regulations and regulatory agencies that are specific to the medical devices industry. The course will cover both European Union (EU) and US regulations and related agencies. Topics will include the laws covering the regulation of medical devices, regulations related to the development, manufacturing and approval of medical devices, regulatory agencies and bodies responsible for implementing the regulations, how the regulations affect the marketing of medical devices.

1. Discuss and compare philosophies and new trends in quality management and their place in today’s manufacturing and service environments including Total Quality Manageemnt (TQM)
2. Analyse and apply a range of statistical tools to measure quality. Select appropriate methodologies of quality improvement and apply various tools and techniques for analysis of quality.
3. Identify, describe and critique the functions of the GMP, EU and US authorities, departments, agencies and other bodies responsible for developing and implementing the laws and associated regulations for Quality and medical devices industry.
4. Describe and critique the EU and US regulatory requirements that affect the development, manufacturing and quality of medical devices. Determine the classification of medical devices.
5. Describe the context of Process Validation within the Quality Management System and describe the steps needed to conduct Process Validation.
6. Decide if an adverse event should be reported and if so describe the correct reporting procedure.

This module is designed to equip the learner with personal and professional communication skills in order to effectively create and share accurate information in a sensitive manner to co-workers, colleagues and customers. The learner will undertake an industry work placement in a professional working environment for 400 hours. The placement programme will enable the learner to develop an awareness of the working environment and to utilise theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained in their studies.

The module combines a course start and end workshop, weekly online learning through videos and discussions groups and a high level of self-learning. Time allocation is given for the online delivery as well as support and monitoring of the learning.

1. Apply the skills necessary for the successful practice of written, oral and non-verbal communication within a professional context;
2. Recognise how his / her interpersonal skills and professionalism are perceived by and impact upon customers and colleagues, focusing on teamwork and usage of problem solving techniques / negotiation skills;
3. Determine the crucial elements of working within culturally diverse and inclusive settings and demonstrate an appreciation of conflict management skills;
4. Recognise importance of teamwork as part of a total quality management approach to improve quality and performance to meet customer needs and expectations
5. Identify how work is planned and organised at different levels within the organisation;
6. Contribute effectively to the business organisation, working professionally at a level commensurate with fulltime employment in a first post;
7. Critically reflect upon his/her own application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills based on personal performance during the professional work placement.

This module equips the learner with the communication skills required in the work-place and allows them to put the engineering knowledge, skills, tools and techniques acquired in their Manufacturing engineering programme into practice within a working environment. Students taking on this module have to be in employment and work a minimum of 20 hr per week in a manufacturing environment. They also require evidence of certified prior learning in Quality and Lean Manufacturing.

1. Apply the engineering knowledge, tools and theory, learned on their chosen programme to the solution of broadly defined engineering problems.

2. Describe the structure of modern organizations and the role of the engineer in business.
3. Operate as an effective team member, and communicate effectively with co-workers across a wide range of disciplines to solve engineering problems.
4. Solve assigned engineering problems in a methodical, proactive and creative manner, with minimum supervision.
5. Apply Project Management skills to manage his or her time and projects.
6. Report their work clearly in written and in oral format.
7. Perform experiments, test protocols and engineering tasks in compliance with industry-appropriate internationally-recognised standards.
8. Apply the Engineers Ireland Code of Ethics to the select and implement the appropriate path to the resolution of engineering problems.
9. Reflect on their practice and propose improvements.