Bachelor of Engineering in Design and Manufacture Engineering

Throughout this course, you will be provided with a strong foundation in both engineering and design principles, with a clear focus on project-based learning. You will also be provided with an in-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes and how products are made, and will be encouraged to develop design solutions to real-life manufacturing problems.

This four-year programme consists of eight semesters and is divided into two parts. Part I, comprising the first year of study, will provide a foundation in the fundamental engineering subjects and makes up for variations in the background of individual students. The modules during the first year are common to Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Biomedical Engineering.

Part II comprises the remaining three years. The final degree award is based on your performance during these three years. Generally, you will study five modules per semester, with each semester worth 30 credits. Each semester contains a mix of design and manufacturing related subjects including areas such as the fundamentals of design, automation, supply chain design and advanced manufacturing processes. You will also achieve a high level of capability with SolidWorks and will use Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) approach with an emphasis on Engineering Design and team projects.

At the end of Year 2, you will undertake a work placement in industry for an eight-month Cooperative Education period. This period provides experience of the practice and application of engineering methods in an industrial environment. You will then return to the University for the spring semester of third year.

An important feature of this programme is the final year project (FYP). The individual project topic will be allocated to you near the end of third year, following an extensive consultation process. You will have almost 12 months to undertake this major piece of work and prepare a report of the work for assessment. The project is an opportunity for you to express your creative and analytical skills in an imaginative and professional way and many students are proud to show their work at subsequent job interviews.

By the end of this course, you will be in a position to manage the lifecycle of new products from design, through production and on to end-of-life recycling.

Topics covered include;
 

• Production Technology
• Plant Automation
• Materials Selection
• Engineering Design
• Simulation
• Engineering Economics, Ethics and Sustainability

Year 1

Semester 1    
 

• Chemistry for Engineers    
• Electrical Engineering 1    
• Engineering Computing    
• Introduction to Engineering 1    
• Engineering Mathematics 1    
• Engineering Science 1    

Semester 2
 

• Engineering Mathematics 2
• Engineering Mechanics 1
• Fluid Mechanics 1
• Materials 1

Choose 1
 

• Structural Engineering Design
• Introduction to Design for Manufacture

Year 2

Semester 3    
 

• Operations Modelling (ENG)    
• Engineering Mathematics 3    
• Mechanics of Solid 1    
• Design Methodology    
• Ergonomics Foundation    

Semester 4    
 

• Plant Automation (ENG)    
• Industrial Organisation    
• Engineering Mathematics 4    
• Manufacturing Processes 4    
• Product Design and Modelling    

Summer
 

• Cooperative Education 1

Year 3

Semester 5    
 

• Cooperative Education 2    

Semester 6
 

• Engineering Design
• Product Automation
• Project Planning and Control
• Mechanics of Solids 2
• Manufacturing Information Systems

Year 4

Semester 1    
 

• Design Project 1    
• Simulation Modelling and Analysis    
• Measurement and Quality Systems (ENG)    
• Experimental Design    

Choose 1    
 

• Medical Device Design and Placement    
• Supply Chain Design    
• Design for Manufacture    

Semester 2
 

• Design Project 2
• Design Project 3
• Engineering Sustainable Products
• Advanced Manufacturing Systems
• Engineering Economy
   

Minimum grades    

Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher Level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary Level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.

Subject requirements    

In addition, applicants must hold a minimum grade H4 in Mathematics and grade O6/H7 in one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Physics with Chemistry, Engineering, Technology, Design & Communication Graphics/ Technical Drawing, Biology, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Construction Studies.

The cost of studying at University of Limerick varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay €20900 annually, to study in University of Limerick.

A wide range of employers are seeking graduates with these skills, and the skills are highly transferable across many industry sectors from bottling water to making electronic car components to medical devices. Typical job titles indicate this range of employment potential:
 

• Design and Manufacturing Engineer
• New Product Development Engineer
• Automation engineer
• Quality engineer
• Process engineer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Supplier development engineer
• Plant engineer
• Supply-chain engineer
• Teacher
• Engineering Manager
• Operations Manager
• Marketing engineer