Galway Advertiser 2008/GA_2008_03_27/GA_2703_E1_019.pdf 

Extracted text

March 27 2008

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

R 19

The College of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway
is to the forefront of developments in the fourth level of engineering education in Ireland
Engineering Research at NUI Galway
The College of Engineering and Informatics (CoEI) at NUI Galway is a dynamic and exciting place for researchers these days, according to Dr. Peter Corcoran, the Vice-Dean of Research. Research activities cover all the Engineering and I.T. disciplines. Dr. Corcoran says, "On the one hand we have people working on the next generation of energyefficient and environmentally friendly building materials and techniques. We also have researchers working on new medical implant technologies and electronic devices to promote rapid wound healing." He continued, "We are unique in the Irish context because Informatics is incorporated within the College of Engineering at Galway. The ICT research within the CoEI is of a more applied and practical nature than in other institutions." Engineering research is also at the heart of the emerging Knowledge Economy and forms the basis for many new products and processes in today's technologyoriented society. "Thanks to our Ignite Technology Transfer Office, the University has a highly successful record in research commercialisation. Recent examples of successful start-up companies include Blue Tree Ltd. (Electronic Engineering), and Eirecomposites Teo. (Mechanical Engineering). These are indigenous companies started by graduate students and staff from the University. " The College of Engineering and Informatics also incorporates the Digital Engineering Research Institute (DERI). This research centre is playing a leading role in global research efforts to develop next generation Internet technologies. As research programmes in the engineering disciplines continue to expand, there are now excellent opportunities across all sectors of the College for creative and talented researchers at post-graduate and post-doctoral levels. "Participating in cutting edge research with internationally recognised academics generates a stimulating working environment." Caroline Hopkins, PhD Student, Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, NUI Galway.

A New Energy Buzz in the College of Engineering and Informatics
Energy presents problems that are increasingly of global concern. Ireland is particularly vulnerable because it has relatively few indigenous fossil fuel resources and 80% of the energy it generates locally is dependant on imported fossil fuels. However it is not all bad because Ireland has one of the world's most energetic wind and wave climates. In turn this offers a unique opportunity to overcome our dependence on fossil fuels and become a global leader in the development of renewable sources of energy, and associated production, distribution and utilisation technologies. Bearing in mind that most of Ireland's alternative energy resources are concentrated in the West, researchers in the College of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway work with the University's Environmental Change Institute on research projecs in the emerging energy sectors. Current energy-related research in the College of Engineering and Informatics at NUI Galway covers a wide range of applied and fundamental research activities. State-of-the-art energy systems based on some of this work will feature in the University's new engineering building, opening in 2010. "The flexibility offered by the distance learning model of this course meant that I could successfully balance a busy professional life with the study for a Masters Degree. ....... The course has also helped me in unexpected ways that I am using now almost every day in my professional and personal life, and I feel that the qualification obtained will help me enormously in my future career."
Michael Keeney, Ph.D. student in Engineering, is holding a biomaterial scaffold for tissue engineering.

Dave Hunt Software Development Group Manager, Tecnomen Corporation. MSc SIS graduate 2007.

programming, covering industry-standard tools and technologies. The MSc in Software Design & Development is a two-year course. It takes a similar software engineering and programming emphasis during its first year; in the second year students undertake research culminating in a thesis. The MSc in Software and Information Systems is a two-year part-time course that is delivered entirely online using a variety of Web teaching tools. This course is co-taught by staff from NUI Galway and Regis University, Denver, USA. Another programme that is offered on a part-time basis is the long established Higher Diploma in Quality that now includes topics such as six sigma, regulatory affairs and lean systems. The Masters in Information Technology is a two-year full-time course, comprised

of one year of taught modules, a six-month industrial placement and research work leading to submission of a thesis. The MA/Postgraduate Diploma (Digital Media) is a twelve month full-time degree programme which offers training in digital and interactive media. The year is divided into two teaching semesters. The summer period is allocated for research and development, whereby students complete a final project or placement and dissertation. For further details on these programmes please see: http://www.it.nuigalway.ie "I worked closely with local industry ... and we had partners in Universities and companies around Europe." Padraic Bradley, PhD Student, Dept. of Industrial Engineering (CIMRU), NUI Galway

Engineering Graduate Skills Underpin the Knowledge Economy
According to Professor Padraic O'Donoghue, Dean of Engineering and Informatics, "Graduate skills are not just about research. In the College of Engineering and Informatics we also offer a broad range of taught Masters programmes. These programmes are designed to enhance the skills of our graduates to the point where they can become expert technology managers in a specialization of their choice. These are the individuals who will underpin the emerging Knowledge Economy." Programmes available at the College include: The Masters of Applied Science in Enterprise Systems provides opportunities for candidates to develop their skills in the design of quality systems, lean systems, and health and safety systems and in the innovation process. The degree can be pursued in part-time or full-time modes. The Higher Diploma in Software Design & Development is a hands-on one-year course, which concentrates on software engineering and

Graduate programmes at NUI Galway:
go4th and go places
Whether you are graduating in 2008 or thinking of going back to University, a postgraduate qualification is a sure way to enhance your career prospects. NUI Galway is currently welcoming applications to its fourth level graduate programmes. A full suite of taught and research programmes is offered, along with a selection of part-time programmes.
Explore our online graduate prospectus at www.nuigalway.ie/pgp e-mail postgrad@nuigalway.ie telephone (091) 49 28 44 web: www.go4th.ie for more information You can also apply on line at www.pac.ie/nuigalway

Margaret Glavin and Sara Armstrong, College of Engineering and Informatics researchers, calibrating a solar panel array in Galway. Even in the Irish climate modern electronics mean that solar energy can be a viable alternative to oil and fossil fuels.

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